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Sheraton Hotel & Spa at Fota Island Resort

A beautiful long tree-lined driveway, with glimpses of the water to the right, has always been the entrance to Fota Island Golf Club and – unless you had noticed an odd green box set into the countryside from a distance - it in no way prepares first time visitors for what awaits around the last corner: whilst the recently planted trees are beginning to soften the approach to this controversial building, it is easy to see why there was such local opposition to the development.

However, as is often the case with new developments, things look different once you get inside. Guests are welcomed at the door, then you move through a large lobby/reception that opens into a spacious high-ceilinged area, with warm lighting, an open fire and lots of comfy seating.

Off this, a bar overlooks lawns to the front, with a decking area for fine weather; this comfortable and appealing room has an open fire which is shared with the adjacent restaurant - also overlooking the grounds, it’s a clean-lined room, with classic white linen softened by warm lighting.

Accommodation is luxurious, with a high proportion of suites and superior rooms, and many rooms enjoying panoramic views over woodlands or golf course; all are spacious and extremely comfortable, with huge beds and big flat screen tv, in addition to the usual facilities, and beautiful bathrooms have double-ended bath with head rests and separate walk-in shower.

Good food has been a feature in all areas of the hotel since it opened and dining choices include the Fota Restaurant, offering a smart option for all-day meals, The Cove seafood grill room for evening dining (see below), and The Amber Bar for light meals at any time.

Complimentary wireless internet available in all public areas.

*The Fota Spa is a big attraction, another is golf - it can sometimes be difficult to get enough tee times at the adjacent Fota Island Golf Club, but it is hoped that the new 9-hole course will allow more flexibility.

Conferences/Banqueting (306/260), business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, free broadband wi/fi..

Rooms 131 (6 suites, 2 junior suites, 7 disabled, all no smoking); children welcome (cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged; B&B room rate about €165; 24 hr room service; Lift.

Championship golf course (18), tennis, walking, resort spa (massage, treatments), leisure centre (swimming pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room). Fly fishing, sea angling, watersports and equestrian nearby.

The Cove:

A more intimate choice than the bistro-style Fota Restaurant, the key focus of the fine-dining restaurant is fresh seafood, complemented by local meat and organic produce - and Executive chef Neil Foster (who came here from the Sheraton at Park Lane, London) is in his element here, cooking dishes that allow him to flex his culinary muscles.

His à la carte menus offer around half a dozen equally tempting choices on each course, including at least one vegetarian option, and are peppered with luxurious ingredients, most of them Irish and with suppliers credited: O’Connells in the English Market supply fresh fish and seafood, for example, smoked and cured fish is from nearby Ballycotton whilst meat, poultry and game come from Ballyburden Meat.

To start, try a subtly spiced dish of seared diver scallops, perhaps, served with slow roasted sumac spiced pork belly, cauliflower & lemongrass purée and sherry &raisin dressing (€18), followed by local black sole meunière, served on or off the bone, with Niçoise salsa and balsamic jus (€34, including parsley baby potatoes and vegetables).

Although sophisticated this is not show-off cooking, and prices are reasonable for the standard of food and service.

The thoughtfully constructed menu is balanced by an extensive wine list, which is indexed for easy reference and includes a respectable choice of wines by the glass and half bottles.


Restaurant: Seats 80 (outdoor, 30); children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities); D daily 6-10pm (to 10.30pm Sat-Sun); "The Cove" seafood grill room, seats 44, open Tue-Sat, 7pm-10pm; Barfood served daily 12.30-8 (to 6pm Fri-Sat). Helipad. Hotel closed 25-26 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

N25 east from Cork. Approx. 8 km (5m) later take a left and follow signs for Fota island