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Wineport Lodge

Ray Byrne and Jane English's lovely lakeside lodge styles itself 'Ireland's first wine hotel' and the accommodation - which now offers nearly thirty beautiful rooms, hot tub and treatment rooms - is nothing less than stunning.

A covered lakeside boardwalk leads to the front door: you enter your guest key card and step into a different world. A lofty residents lounge with a stove and its own bar simply oozes style and comfort, a hint of the high pamper quota waiting above in spacious suites and guest rooms, all with private balconies overlooking the lake.

Superbly comfortable beds with goose down duvets and extra large pillows face the view, and seriously luxurious bathrooms have separate double-ended bath and walk-in shower. Wineport has a huge amount to offer discerning guests and has quickly become a hot choice for business and corporate events.

Luxurious, romantic, beautiful, businesslike, this boutique hotel is a place of many moods: Wineport has everything.

Ray and Jane were the Guide's Hosts of the Year in 1999, and Wineport was our Hideaway of the Year in 2003.

Conference /banqueting 100/140. Free broadband wi/fi, laptop sized safes in bedrooms. Children welcome (under 2 free in parents room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged). Walking; fishing; garden; jacuzzi; treatment rooms; relaxation room. No pets. Heli-pad.

Rooms 29 (5 suites, 8 junior suites, 3 superior, 2 family, 15 ground floor, 2 disabled, 2 shower only, all no smoking). B&B €97.50pps, ss €47.50; SC discretionary. Lift. Turndown service. All day room service. Closed 24-26 Dec.

Restaurant:

Wineport Lodge began life as a restaurant, and faithful fans continue to beat a path to the door at the slightest excuse, to be treated to a fine meal, served with warmth and professionalism in this lovely contemporary restaurant - and what a setting!

Regular guests find the combination of the view, the company and a good meal irresistible, and many return bearing additions to the now famous Wineport collections (nauticalia, cats)...

A new head chef Linda Martin, took over the kitchen shortly before the Guide went to press but, as she was previously sous chef at Wineport, a major change of style is unlikely; Wineport is known for well-balanced and strongly seasonal menus which are quite international in tone but based on Quality Assured and local ingredients including game in season, eels, home-grown herbs and wild mushrooms; a tasting plate of McGeough's cured & turf smoked charcuterie is an unusual starter, served with celeriac & spiced red cabbage roulade, and signature dishes include slow roast confit of lamb with creamy cannelloni beans, smoked garlic and sundried organic tomatoes.

A lovely dessert menu is teamed with a list of pudding wines and a very informative cheese section offers seven ports, all offered by the glass even a Grahams 40 year Tawny, at €250 per bottle (glass, €27.50).

An impressive and informative wine list charts a wine connection with the area going right back to 542AD, and makes very interesting reading; Jane English and wine consultant Tim Sacklin constantly make improvements to the list, which offers special treats and many more affordable wines, and includes a good selection of wines by the glass and six well chosen half bottles.

Seats 100 (private room, 50; outdoor seating, 50); toilets wheelchair accessible; children welcome. Food service: Mon-Sat, 6-10pm; Sun 3-5pm & 6-10pm; set Sun L €45; set D €69, gourmet menu €90; otherwise á la carte; wines from about €25. Closed 24-26 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Midway between Dublin and Galway: take the Longford/Cavan exit off the Athlone relief road; fork left after 2.5 miles at the Dog & Duck; 1 mile, on the left.