Up on a hill overlooking Leixlip village, just eight miles from Dublin city centre, this fine Georgian house was built in 1722 and is furnished and decorated to a high standard in period style and, with gleaming antique furniture and gilt-framed mirrors in thick carpeted public rooms decorated in soft country colours, the atmosphere is one of discreet opulence.
Bedrooms include two suites furnished with traditional mahogany furniture; the strong, simple decor particularly pleases the many business guests who stay here and there is a welcome emphasis on service - all-day room service, nightly turndown service with complimentary mineral water and chocolates - and a shoe valet service.
The hotel is a popular wedding venue, and the banqueting suite had recently undergone complete refurbishment. Hotel guests have complimentary use of a nearby gym.
Conference/banqueting (100/140). Secretarial services. Children welcome (cot available, baby sitting arranged). No pets. Rooms 19 (5 executive, 14 shower only, 2 family). B&B from €80 pps, ss €40.
The Bradaun Restaurant:
The commitment to quality evident in the hotel is continued in the restaurant, a bright, high-ceilinged dining room, elegantly appointed with candles and fresh flowers on well-spaced tables.
Suppliers are proudly credited and menus combine carefully sourced ingredients with imagination, creativity and flair: food arrives beautifully presented, with great attention to detail.
Specialities include starters of baked Clonakilty black pudding with a compôte of rhubarb and fresh berries, or an unusual dish of Connemara smoked lamb, served with rocket, Desmond cheese, strawberry and aged balsamic.
Slow cooking is a favoured technique and you may fine 24 hour braised ox cheek with artichoke purée and broccoli tempura among the choices - the à la carte, especially, is definitely not your average menu.
Seafood choices are equally unusual, and sometimes combined with meat. Choices on the set menu tend to be simpler, and desserts are worth saving a little space for – a millfeuille of Wexford strawberries in season, perhaps, or a cocktail glass of homemade ice cream.
A customer-friendly wine list offers a wide range of wines by the glass, a dozen Wines of the Month and a similar number of half bottles as well as the main listing.
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