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Absolute Hotel

Located on the far side of the River Shannon where the Abbey River flows into it, this stylish new sister hotel to The House in Galway (see entry) enjoys a great site with a waterside bar and restaurant, decked outdoor seating area and views of the hills - and a peaceful situation in what is still a city centre area.

A roof garden is also promised, although not completed when going to press. Like The House, Absolute is a pleasing combination of an old stone building and contemporary interiors; giant blown-up photographs of Limerick in former times make the link, dominating the vast lobby and public areas on all floors.

Accommodation is in Comfy (standard), Cosy (deluxe) and Chic (suites) plus three special business suites with boardroom, accommodating meetings for up to 12; Comfy rooms are smaller, but there's no shortage of style at any level with standard features including good lighting (although a wall-mounted bed light would be useful), a giant wall-mounted flat screen where you may choose between music, television, pay film and internet; generous storage space; ironing facilities; black-out curtaining; safe; mini-bar and state-of-the-art coffee and tea makers.

And, for a surprisingly small premium, the larger Cosy rooms also offer free access to the sauna/wellbeing room in the spa as well as internet and movie deals.

Fashion-led bathrooms are spacious but, with frosted glass door compromising privacy, no bath (only a power shower with rain dance shower head in all rooms) and a 'Belfast-sink' washbasin, they may not be to everyone's taste.

Dining and socialising options are between the very spacious first floor Riverside Restaurant and bar, which overlook the river and leafy bank opposite, with a decking area for sitting out, and the Refuel Café.

With its fine location and facilities, complimentary underground car parking and surprisingly reasonable room rates, Absolute represents real value for money for anyone visiting Limerick city.

Conference & banqueting; business facilities; complimentary high speed internet access; laptop sized safes in bedrooms; spa; hot tub; fitness suite; same day laundry/dry cleaning. Rooms 99 (includes 3 business suites with boardroom & 12 Chic suites; all rooms shower only). B&B €57.50pps; Room rate only €95. Open all year. All major credit cards.

Directions:

Limerick city centre, on the N7 just north of the junction between the N7 & N20.