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In a lovely location - right on the harbour, with pretty water views when the tide is in - The Quay House is the oldest building in Clifden and was built around 1820.
Since then it has had a surprisingly varied usage: it was originally the harbourmaster’s house, then a convent, then a monastery; it was converted into a hotel at the turn of the century and finally, since 1993, has been relishing its most enjoyable phase as a guesthouse, in the incomparable hands of long-time hoteliers, Paddy and Julia Foyle.
It’s a fine house, with spacious rooms - including a stylishly homely drawing room with an open fire. And the accommodation is exceptionally comfortable, in airy, wittily decorated and sumptuously furnished rooms that include not only two wheelchair-friendly rooms, but also seven newer studio rooms, with small fitted kitchens, balconies overlooking the harbour and, as in the original rooms, excellent bathrooms with full bath and shower.
With the restaurants of Clifden just a few minutes walk away, breakfast is the only meal offered at The Quay House, and it is simply superb..
It's served in the lovely new conservatory overlooking the harbour where treats include a buffet laid out to tempt you as you enter, and orders for your tea or coffee are taken even before you sit down at tables beautifully set up with individual jugs of freshly squeezed orange juice. Organic apple juice is also available, along with Greek-style yogurt, home-made cakes and breads, delicious farmhouse cheeses, and a choice of teas, as well as filter coffee and hot chocolate.
More unusually, you may order a dish of local oysters and hot dishes, such as a perfectly cooked traditional Irish, or scrambled eggs with oak-smoked salmon, are all served with crisp toast, and fresh top-ups of tea and coffee.
The Eggs Benedict and its variations make another excellent start to the day (try it with that smoked salmon rather than the usual bacon), then there's a fish of the day, naturally smoked kippers, a perfectly cooked omelette with ham, cheese and herbs - and guests are also invited to enquire about the daily specials. There's nothing flash about breakfast here - just simple perfection, as it always has been.
Paddy and Julia never put a foot wrong at Quay House. They are consummate hosts: thoughtful, engaging, helpful and generous with local knowledge - and, perhaps most importantly, have the true hotelier's instinct of when to give their guests space. A stay is always a luxuriously enriching experience, simply because they have thought of everything.
Although officially closed in winter it is always worth inquiring - and also at the stylish budget accommodation Blue Quay Rooms nearby, which is run by Paddy and Julia's son Toby and his French partner, Pauline Petit.
*The Quay House was our Guesthouse of the Year for 2006, and has also been the national winner of our Irish Breakfast Awards.
