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The Ardilaun Hotel

This famous old hotel dates back to about 1840 and has been in the ownership of the Ryan family for over 40 years. Recent renovations have extended the hotel considerably, but without losing its gentle old-style atmosphere.

Everything about the hotel confirms the feeling of a well-run establishment and, with space and light added to the welcoming lobby/reception area, this convenient meeting place is a pleasant spot to sit for a drink or a sandwich and, as ever, friendly staff make a good impression from the outset.

Some of the spacious, traditionally furnished public areas overlook gardens at the back, including the dining room which is still the elegant room of old, with fine windows views and access to the garden. Bedrooms are traditionally furnished to a high standard and regularly refurbished.

It is a popular wedding and conference venue, and excellent in-house leisure facilities include snooker and a leisure centre with 18m swimming pool.

Off-season and special interest breaks are offered an enjoyable prospect at an hotel that has character an a relaxed atosphere.

Conference/banqueting (600/400); business centre; free broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cots available without charge, baby sitting arranged, kids club). Pets permitted in some areas (charge to stay in bedrooms). Gardens. Leisure centre (fitness room, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room); beauty salon, treatments, massage.

Camilaun Restaurant : The restaurant is in a fine old-fashioned hotel dining room with crystal chandeliers and bay windows overlooking a colourful garden, traditional white-clothed tables with crisp linen napkins, warm decor and a welcome emphasis on comfort - and friendly staff make guests feel welcome. Head chef John Kelly has been with the hotel since 1985 and knows his market well, using the best of ingredients in a traditional style with a little nod to fashion here and there. Menus offer a predictably wide choice of prime meats and fish - a house speciality is chateaubriand, also braised shank of lamb and a medley of scallops and prawns - all competently cooked and attractively served with an exceptional variety of side vegetables - perhaps as many as seven or eight - all perfectly cooked. The grande finale is an excellent traditional dessert trolley - sherry trifle, tiramisu, charlotte royale, apple tart - and an invitation to double up on the sweets reinforces the overall feeling of being generously treated in pleasant, formal surroundings that is the essential pleasure of dining here. Good coffee to finish. Extensive wine list. Rooms 125 (4 suites, 3 junior suites, 32 executive rooms, 17 family, 9 shower only, 106 no-smoking, 8 groundfloor, 3 for disabled). Lift, 24 hr room service. B&B €150 pps, ss €25. No SC. Closed 22-27 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser. Directions: 1 mile west of city centre (towards Salthill).

Directions:

1.6km (1 m) west of city centre ( towards Salthill).