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Ballyvara House

Rebecca Flanagan's large guesthouse just outside Doolin village is smartly presented, and offers hotel standard accommodation. Public areas are impressively spacious and comfortable, and amenities for guests' use include a library and residents' bar (with wine licence), and a games room with pool table.

Two suites have king size mahogany sleigh beds and a private lounge area, and the other stylishly furnished bedrooms include double, triple and family rooms, with queen size beds as standard where there is a double; some rooms have balconies, and all have well equipped bathrooms with spa or Jacuzzi bath, power showers and heated towel rails.

Good in-room facilities include TV/radio, tea/coffee facilities, hairdryer, direct dial telephone, alarm clock and ironing facilities. An extensive breakfast menu is offered, and served in a bright and attractive room - or in your room if preferred.

Outside there's a private courtyard garden and an outdoor sitting patio (for smokers), also plenty for children, including a multi-purpose astro turf playing court - lined for soccer, basketball and tennis - a play area (new playground equipment installed in 2008), and even resident donkeys and ponies.

The atmosphere can seem a little impersonal, but Rebecca is a committed host - and, at the time of going to press, plans extensive landscaping, to include a historical/archaeological walk for guests.

No dinner, but guests are referred to Tir gan Ean Hotel in Doolin, which is in common ownership.

Rooms 11 (all en-suite, 2 suites, 2 family, 1 shower only, 5 ground floor, 1 for disabled); limited room service; B&B €50-80pps; ss €40. Children welcome (under 3s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged, playground). Free broadband wi/fi; pool table, tennis, garden, walking. Equestrian, garden visits and golf nearby. Closed Oct-Mar. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

In Doolin take the left at Fitzpatrick's Bar on left; up hill; 0.5 mile on left