With the opening of the Lough Erne Resort, proprietors Jim and Eileen Treacy achieved a lifetime ambition to create a golf resort of international standards in the stunning setting of County Fermanagh's rolling lakelands.
The property, located between two lakes on its own bridge-linked island, offers sweeping panoramic views of the water and the undulating greens of the golf course from every room. There are now two championship golf courses, the premier course designed by Nick Faldo, and in addition to the hotel’s 120 bedrooms and suites, there are 25 luxury lodges.
Rooms are generous and very comfortable – replete with every mod con including free WiFi, minibar, tea and coffee station, free standing bath and rain shower; for added luxury an impressive Thai spa offers eight treatment rooms, a tranquil relaxation room, thermal suite and a beautiful mosaic 14m swimming pool (open to children from 8-10am and 3-5pm).
Under the eye of a watchful general manager, the hotel is notably well run: service is attentive, warm and courteous, and everything is extremely well kept with logs fires blazing, brasses gleaming and cutlery polished to a high shine.
The Drawing Room and Blaney Bar serve tasty bar food, afternoon tea and refreshments, while the Catalina restaurant (see below) offers fine dining in the evening and Sunday lunch; surprisingly, breakfast is not cooked to order but hot dishes are set up in chafing dishes.
Conferences/Banqueting (400/300); business centre; free broadband wi/fi. Rooms 120; children welcome (under 3s free in parents room, cots available, baby sitting arranged), Lift. Golf (36), fishing (fly & coarse); Spa (steam room, massage, treatments). Helipad.
The Catalina Restaurant
A tone of elegant, understated luxury pervades the restaurant which, like every other room in the hotel, enjoys lovely views.
The kitchen is currently under the leadership of well known Irish chef Noel McMeel, who has been very active in the recent development of Northen Ireland's food culture.
Noel’s philosophy of using the very best of local produce is evident through all the hotel's food operations - as a member of Good Food Ireland they are committed to prioritising the core indigenous ingredients of Irish cuisine and promoting local and artisan food producers.
In keeping with Noel McMeel's philosophy, the emphasis of his cooking is firmly on local ingredients in season.
The concept of the Resort’s wine list is equally interesting, as it was created in association with Jane Boyce, Ireland's first (and Northern Ireland's only) female Master of Wine.
Daytime fare and dinner also available at the Halfway House & Seafood Experience located at the heart of The Faldo Course on the 9th hole. Catalina Restaurant: D nightly 6.30-10, L Sun 1-2.30; Bar & Drawing Room menus: 12-9.30 daily; Garden Hall Afternoon Tea: 2-5 daily. Children welcome before 7pm (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities). Amex, MasterCard, Visa.
