We came upon this handsome new property by chance, and what a stroke of good fortune.
Although officially a guesthouse (it has no bar and a light continental breakfast is the only food offered), it has the feeling of a modern hotel, with welcoming reception and lounging areas on the ground floor and impressively spacious and comfortably furnished rooms over three floors, some with balconies and all with ocean views over Strandhill village.
Aimed at the discerning yet budget-conscious traveller, the Lodge is equally suited to couples seeking a romantic getaway, families who need the space and freedom not normally associated with hotels, and business guests who will especially appreciate the free wi-fi access, conference facilities and nearby down-time activities including golf.
The rooms, which all have king size beds and well-designed bathrooms, are finished to a very high standard with everything the pickiest of travellers could wish for, including a safe, fridge, ironing facilities multichannel LCD TV and host of other conveniences.
In any other location the lack of in-house dining might be a problem, but Strandhill is exceptionally well provided with a range of interesting places to eat and drink.
The handiest is next door at The Venue, a traditional pub offering good food and music, but General Manager David McCoy, who is back in his home county after working in Galway, loves nothing better than to introduce visitors to the diverse hospitality options that the village has to offer – and to the many things there are to do in the area, including a visit to the Voya seaweed baths in the village, golf (Strandhill GC is next door) and other outdoor and cultural activities.
This is an exceptional place to stay, and offers exceptional value too. A great asset to Strandhill.
Rooms 22 (2 suites, 18 deluxe), 1 self-catering apartment. MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
