At the heart of Frank and Mary Slattery’s sensitively extended Victorian house lies a hunting lodge once owned by Lord Brocket - and he chose well, as it is very attractive and handsomely set in fine gardens with the lake and mountains providing a dramatic backdrop.
The house is welcoming and well-maintained, with friendly staff (Frank himself carries the luggage to your room) and a relaxed atmosphere, notably in a series of charming sitting rooms where you can chat beside the fire or have a drink before dinner. This is a place where you can lose yourself for hours with a book, or playing chess, cards or board games in the games room, or boating out on the lake.
Some of the large, airy bedrooms have their own patios, and all are furnished with antiques, and have generous, well-designed bathrooms with bath and shower - an impressive Presidential Suite has a sitting room with panoramic views across the lake to the Magillicuddy Reeks, two separate dressing rooms and jacuzzi bath.
The extensive gardens are of great interest too - a map is available, and personalised tours can be arranged. This is a lovely serene place to stay – a perfect escape from the modern world.
Rooms 17 (1 suite, 1 junior suite, 14 no smoking, 1 single, 4 ground floor) B&B €70-119 pps, ss €50. Not suitable for children under 8 except small babies (under 1 free of charge, cot available, baby sitting arranged). Dogs allowed in some areas (stay in kennel). Swimming (lake), fishing (ghillie & boat available), walking, garden, croquet. Closed Dec-Feb.
Lakeside Restaurant:
Beautifully situated overlooking the lake, the restaurant is a fine room with well-spaced, elegantly appointed tables and a relaxed atmosphere. With a piano playing softly, a great sense of hospitality and the promise of chef John Luke’s delicious food to come, this is a very pleasing place to be - and it is open to the public as well as resident guests, which makes for a livelier atmosphere.
A well-designed menu offers a balanced selection based on seasonal local foods but, although the many tempting choices include some unusual dishes (a starter of roasted lamb sweetbreads, for example, or a main course of pan-seared veal liver), it is hard to resist the fresh Kerry seafood - and the specials offered each evening will normally include extra fish and seafood choices too, depending on availability.
A classic dish of the local Cromane mussels in a creamy white wine sauce, and a warm filo tartlet of Dingle crab with watercress and red onion vinaigrette both make wonderful starters, for example, and main courses may include Iveragh salmon and premium Atlantic fish such as cod and hake, which tend to be cooked in quite a classic style, sometimes with an imaginative twist.
But Kerry lamb is equally appealing to many diners, and a roast rack, served with puy lentils, smoked bacon and red wine jus, is an exceptionally enjoyable dish. Vegetarian choices are also interesting (a tian of cous cous, perhaps, with delicious summer vegetables).
It will pay to plan ahead for dessert, as it would be a shame to miss out on treats like prune and armanac flavoured crème brulée with almond puff pastry sticks or baked frangipane, rhubarb and Italian meringue tartlet with sweet mascarpone.
There’s a very nice wine list (and helpful advice offered) and, after dinner, it’s lovely to be able to have your coffee or tea in a comfy sofa at the fireside.
Lakeside Restaurant : Seats 50 (private room, 15; outdoors, 20); D daily, 7-9. Extensive á la carte. Not suitable for children under 8. House wine from €28.50. SC 10% on groups 6+. Non-residents welcome (booking essential). Establishment closed Dec-Feb. Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
