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This famous hotel has an attractive exterior, with its name emblazoned in blue and white stained glass above the entrance and flags hanging from poles, giving it a cosmopolitan look. Since 2004 this landmark hotel has been in the caring ownership of the proprietor, Ciaran Fitzgerald, who continues to do everything possible to build on and develop its reputation as a premier destination in this historic town.
Due to the nature of the building, public areas are quite compact, but regular refurbishment - and reinvention - ensure best use of space and there is always a fresh feeling to the design and decor. The reception and bar areas have a pleasantly open and contemporary feeling, and there's the Newport Lounge where breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner or afternoon tea can be served during the day.
All the bedrooms have double glazing to offset the street noise that is inevitable in a central location and, although not large, both the rooms and their neat bathrooms make up in thoughtful planning anything they lack in spaciousness. Cookies and an iPad for your use on arrival, King Koil pocket sprung beds, pillow menus, Apple TVs, Dyson Air Purifiers and Supersonic Hair Dryers, Nespresso machines in each room are among the details that make guests feel pampered here, and there are plenty more.
Although Kinsale is mainly seen as a tourist destination, the hotel is also an attractive business venue, offering a selection of meeting room options (up to 25 board room style / 80 theatre style), also excellent corporate accommodation rates from €69 B&B per room for single occupancy. *There is extra accommodation available a few doors away at The Old Bank House (see entry), which is in common ownership and offers many of the same quality details.
Restaurants & Bars
The Blue Haven aims to offer more than the usual hotel dining experience and, whether in one of the bars or The Fish Market, which offers a wide range of classic and contemporary seafood dishes, a meal here can be very enjoyable; at its best the dining experience can hold its own in a town renowned for its exceptional choice of eating places.
A lobster tank at the entrance sets the tone for enjoyment of the best local catches, cooked by Head Chef Lee Kennedy and his team, who offer a wide range of classic and contemporary seafood dishes including Calamari Tempura, Fish Pie, Pan Seared Atlantic Scallops with de Roiste black pudding (see entry), Oysterhaven mussels and a seafood turf ‘n’ turf with chargrilled Hereford beef rump fillet medallions, Kinsale Bay crab claws, king prawns and calamari, served with Heritage tomato salad.
Guests also enjoy the atmosphere of The Bar & Bistro, which offers cocktail and gin menus and an appealing choice of food, based mainly on local ingredients.A recent addition is Rare – restaurant, whiskey and cocktail bar, open from 5.30pm Friday to Sunday.
