T+L’s Hotel Review of Sheen Falls Lodge in Ireland

Sheen Falls Lodge is a nature lover’s paradise tucked away within the southwestern a part of Eire. The sprawling 300-acre property, which was initially a Seventeenth-century fishing and searching lodge, is full of pure magnificence.

Driving as much as the property, I used to be handled to quintessential Irish surroundings: wooly sheep chewing alongside rolling meadows blanketed in thick inexperienced grass. It felt like my imaginative and prescient had been altered with a saturation filter that intensified the panorama’s coloration.

The lodge is nestled between Kenmare Bay and the Sheen River. Upon my arrival, I used to be greeted by porters who rapidly took my luggage and escorted me to my room. I glanced on the crackling hearth and made a psychological notice to revisit. As I climbed the huge, forest-green-carpeted stairs, I finished to marvel on the seating space on the touchdown. There have been a number of watercolor work of martini glasses that regarded like chickens hung above a salmon-colored sofa.

My suite — fairly a bit larger than my New York Metropolis condominium — had massive bay home windows and views of a waterfall from each room, even the lavatory. Over the three nights I stayed on the property, I used to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of cascading falls proper outdoors my window. No want for poor sleepers to pack a transportable sound machine for this property. Nature’s soundtrack ensures a sound slumber.

Each morning, I began the day with a hearty Irish breakfast, which was delivered promptly to my room at my most well-liked scheduled time. Then I’d get the day began with some actions, like falconry and a tour of the close by Beara peninsula, organized by the concierge, or a therapy on the luxe on-site spa.

Learn on for my full evaluation of Sheen Falls Lodge.

The Rooms

If cookie-cutter rooms should not your jam, you’re in luck. Not one of the lodging are the identical at Sheen Falls Lodge. With 60 rooms, 12 suites, and five cottages, all of them have their very own distinctive design options and layouts. What they do have in frequent are magnificent views of both the gardens, waterfalls, or Kenmare Bay. Every of the 4 deluxe suites and cottage provides a front-row seat to the area’s breathtaking pure surroundings.

After I wasn’t taking images of the distinctive waterfall views, I used to be lounging on the sofa or working on the massive wood desk within the bed room. The complete area was the proper setting for writing, studying, and stress-free. The overwhelming sense of tranquility made it a real escape.

Along with staying in my suite, I had dinner in one of many two bay villas (below the cottage class). This lodging is right for giant teams because it has a number of bedrooms, loos, residing areas and a full kitchen.

Meals and Drink

My first meal at Sheen Falls was at The Stables Brasserie & Bar. It set the tone for what I’d expertise for the rest of my keep. I ordered home made tomato soup as my starter, which was contemporary, piping sizzling, and scrumptious. I adopted it up with the native catch of the day as my entrée (fish from round right here contains sea bass and flouder amongst others). I rounded out my meal with a refreshing combo of blackberry and raspberry sorbet.

All through my go to, I additionally dined at The Sheen Lounge, which serves lighter fare like soups, sandwiches, desserts, and afternoon tea. The seating is plush with cozy couches upholstered with stylish prints. The sofas and banquettes are deliberately positioned in entrance of the home windows for optimum waterfall viewing.

For a style of high quality eating, visitors head to The Falls. The menu options regionally sourced seasonal produce. The meals is a masterful mixture of Irish delicacies with touches of French affect; I had the lobster bisque as my starter adopted by cod and a whipped frozen coconut marshmallow for dessert.

For wine lovers, a go to to The Wine Cellar is a should. Situated within the basement of Sheen Falls Lodge, this refined cellar homes greater than 10,000 bottles, sourced from 23 completely different international locations. It’s personal and sometimes reserved for wedding ceremony or dinner events.

Nua Vista is one other restaurant on property. Whereas it’s situated 5 miles from Sheen Falls Lodge throughout the Ring of Kerry Golf Membership, it’s nonetheless part of the property. It serves Mediterranean fare, together with pasta and contemporary seafood. The restaurant provides a change of surroundings by giving visitors panoramic views of the Caha Mountains and McGillycuddy Reeks. Visitors can contact the concierge to rearrange complimentary transfers.

Actions and Experiences

The property provides activities like fishing, horse driving, clay-pigeon taking pictures, tennis, archery, ax throwing, family tree consultations, golf, falconry, and extra. The concierge can prepare off-site excursions, too, together with evening kayaking, horse and carriage rides, and whiskey tastings.

The lodge additionally provides complimentary bicycle leases. If you wish to tour the picturesque space on an electrical bike, that may also be organized. If staying on high of your wellness routine is a precedence, visitors can e book personal yoga lessons, both in your room or wherever on the property grounds.

Household-friendly Choices

The property is tremendous child pleasant. Kids 7 years of age and older can attempt their hand at falconry with out leaving the premises. It’s a good way for little ones to study winged wildlife in a managed and supervised surroundings. Teenagers (14 and up) curious about archery can train their bow and arrow expertise on property.

One of many fashionable off-site choices for youngsters is the chocolate-making workshop. This candy tour permits kiddos to study the artwork of crafting scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth treats that they’ll eat or take house. This two-hour session led by professional chocolatiers is situated at Lorge Chocolatier in Kenmare.

The Spa

Easanna Wellness & Spa put me comfy from the second I arrived. The gorgeous pool space has floor-to-ceiling home windows that gaze out at lush greenery. I attempted a breathwork observe with a specialist, and with each exhale, I felt stress depart my physique. The spa additionally provides a various vary of treatments for visitors to decompress together with massages, facials, and even well-being rituals for these present process most cancers therapy.

The spa makes use of merchandise from Seabody, a neighborhood skincare firm, for a lot of of their remedies. Visitors are additionally welcome to go to the spa amenities even when they do not e book a therapy. And it is nicely value it; there is a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, leisure room, and health suite.

Location

Sheen Falls Lodge is in Kenmare, County Kerry, which is within the southwestern a part of Eire.

Attending to the realm could be a little bit of a trek; it is a four-hour drive from Dublin Airport. As a substitute, decide to fly into nearer airports like Kerry Airport (additionally known as Farranfore Airport) or Shannon Airport. Aer Lingus and American Airways has direct flights from Boston Logan Worldwide Airport to Shannon Airport. When visiting Sheen Falls Lodge, I flew into Dublin Airport and left by way of Shannon Airport, and each had been a breeze.

It’s additionally a five-minute drive to Kenmare, which is a small city chock-full of eating places, bars, boutiques, cafés, galleries, and native retailers. The property supplies complimentary shuttles to city for visitors who wish to discover.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The property is wheelchair accessible. It additionally has free, electric car charging stations for visitors to make use of all through their keep.

How one can Get the Most Out of Your Keep

The resort provides a number of methods for visitors to maximise their keep. Packages just like the Sheen Magic features a two-night keep in a set with waterfall views, full Irish breakfast every morning, an Afternoon Tea for 2, a three-course dinner at The Falls restaurant, and a spa credit score. Additional, the property provides a ten% low cost for individuals who decide to pay for his or her keep upfront.