Publication: irishtimes.com
Date: Sunday,November12,2023
Page: Link
Christmasinahotelcomeswithallthetrimmings
andnowashingup
StayinginahotelthisyearcouldbeaChristmasgiftbutbewarned,itcanbeexpensive
FancyahorsedrawncarriagedrivetoChristmasmass?Orhowaboutagospelchoirserenadingyouwithcarols?
Orbetteryet,yourturkeyandhamserveduptoyouonaplate–andwithnoquarrelsoverwhoisdoingthe
tidyingup!StayinginahotelthisyearcouldbetheChristmasgiftyouneverthoughtyouwanted;butbewarned,it
willcost.
Alloverthecountry,peoplearestartingtogearupforthebiggestfamilyeventoftheyear.Overthecoming
weeks,peoplewillstartbuyingpresents,decoratingthehouse,clearingoutroomsforadultchildrenwhowillbe
returninghome,andtryingtofigureoutwhereextraguestswillsleep.
Itcanbealotofwork,butformostpeople,thejoyofhavingeveryonetogether,evenforoneday,isworthit.
However,ifyoudon'trelishthethoughtofslavingoverahotstove,cleaningthehousefromtoptobottomoreven
havingeveryroomfullofguests,or,ontheothersideofthecoin,youmaynothaveanyvisitorsandwould
actuallyrelishspendingtimewithothers,ahotelcouldbeanoptionforyou.
So,forallofthosewhowanttoenjoythefestiveseasonwithoutthefussandbother,wehaveputtogetherafew
ideasforgettingawayfromitallandbeingpamperedinthelapofluxury.
Ifyou'relookingforthehotelexperience–butdon'twanttogiveupyourfestivedecorations–youcouldconsider
CartonHouseinKildare,whereyoucangetasuitewithyourownChristmastree.
ItsfestivecelebrationsstartonChristmasEve,whereguestswillbewelcomedwithachampagneandcanapé
reception,whileenjoyingcarolssungbythelocalMaynoothGospelChoir.
Suitesorstateroomsinthemainhouse,themagnificent18thcenturybuilding,comewiththeirownChristmas
tree,butyoucanalsobookthecheaperoptionsinthegardenwing.Anotheroptionisthebeautifulfourbedroom
LennoxLodge,completewithlivingareaandkitchen,makingittheperfectplaceforafamilyorgroupoffriends.
[Christmasonlineshopping:101ofthebestIrishwebsitestobuygiftsfrom]
GuestswillreceiveastockingfulloftreatsonChristmasmorningandfollowingabuffetbreakfast,canwrapupand
enjoyawalkorcyclearoundtheestateoraleisurelyswiminthewellnesssuitetoworkupanappetiteforthe
fabulousfivecoursefestivelunch.Atwonightpackageisavailablefrom€1,165perpersonbasedontwoadults
sharing.
OrhowaboutastayintheheartofGalwaycity,overlookingLoughAtalia?AtwonightfestivebreakattheGalmont
HotelandSpa,startsfrom€570perpersonsharing,withthreenights(includingdinneronSt.Stephen'snight)
from€745perpersonsharing.Youcanexpectmincepies,muffins,hotchocolateandmulledwineonChristmas
Eve,plusavisitfromSantaonChristmasDay,andbubblesandcanapésbeforeafestivelunch.
Foracastleexperience(here'shopingitsnows!),howaboutDromolandCastleinCoClare,whereaspecial
surprisevisitorwillbringgiftsforeveryone,whileguestswillbeencouragedtorelaxinfrontofaroaringfireor
enjoythemagicalsoundsoflocalcarolsingers,aspartofitsChristmaspackage.Ahawkwalkwiththecastle's
residentfalconerisalsopossible.
ThespecialfestivethreenightpackagewillfinishwitharelaxeddinnerintheEarlofThomondRestaurantand
EarlofThomondTerrace,followedbypostdinnerentertainmentandcosts€2,532perperson.
ItisoneofthemostfamiliarlandmarksinDublin,sospendingChristmasatTheShelbourneHotelisundoubtedly
goingtobespecial.Havingplayedhosttocenturiesofrevellers,atChristmastimeandthroughouttheyears,the
combinationofoldworldelegance,luxuryandarelaxedvibemakethevenuetheperfecthomefromhomeinthe
city.
CelebrationsstartonChristmasEvewithafourcourselunchordinnerintheSaddleRoom,followedbyan
afternoonspentrelaxingbythefire,takingastrollaroundStephen'sGreenorthefestivecitystreetsorsimply
enjoyingtheluxuryofyourhotelaccommodation.
OnChristmasmorning,guestscanenjoyatraditionalIrishbreakfastfollowedbyaspecialvisitfromSantaClausin
theLordMayor'sLounge,beforeafivecourselunch,whichtakesplaceintheSaddleRoomRestaurant.
AtwonightChristmasstaycostsfrom€770perperson,basedontwopeoplesharing,withchildrenunder16at
€350each.
AdareManorinCoLimerickpromisesaChristmascelebrationof“unforgettablesplendour”.Beginningon
ChristmasEvewithafestivechampagneafternoonteainTheGallery,orlunchinTheCarriageHouse,Santawill
alsobeinresidenceforanyonewhowantstopopinforachatathissecretlocationontheestate,whichcanbe
reachedbyhorseandcarriage.
[IorderedmyChristmastree.Iwon'tbedecoratingituntilDecember8ththough.I'mnotacompleteanimal]
Achampagnereceptionwilltakeplacebeforealavishdinnerandastheeveningcomestoaclose,visitorscan
availofachauffeurtotakethemtoChristmasEvemassatthebeautifulHolyTrinityChurchinthevillage,orhead
totheTackRoomforanightcapandsomelightentertainment.
ChristmasDaywillalsoseetheopportunitytovisitthelocalchurchservicefollowingbreakfastinTheGallery;
alternatively,guestscanenjoyrelaxingaroundthemanorhouseorexploringtheestatebeforethefestivelunchin
theballroom.Thethreenightpackagestartsat€3,675perpersonsharing.
AtwonightbreakattheKillarneyPlazaHotelandSpa(includingbreakfasteachmorningandfestivedinneron
oneevening),startsfrom€184perpersonfortwopeoplesharing.
PackthegolfclubstoenjoyChristmasatTheKClub,CoKildare.AthreenightChristmasCelebrationspackage,
whichincludesfamilyportraits,ChristmasEvemass,aperformancefromtheDublinGospelChoir,avisitfrom
SantaClausandakidsmagicshow,isavailablefrom€3,090.
Setin1,300acresofunspoiltcountryside,atwonightstayattheFarnhamEstateSpa&GolfResort,CoCavan
startsfrom€519perpersonsharing,withthreenightsfrom€690perperson.
IfyoufancyaChristmasDayswim–withoutthechillfactor–CenterParcsinLongfordhasoptions,suchas
€1,999forathreebedwoodlandlodgeforfournights.Youcanalsopreorderatreeanddecorationsforyour
lodge.
AthreenightChristmaspackagecostsfrom€1,215perpersonsharing,andfournightChristmaspackagesare
from€1,499,atMountJulietEstateinCoKilkenny.
ForthosewhowanttoheadawayforChristmas,theUKisjustashorthopaway.TheFairmontHotelWindsor
Park,iswithinanhourofLondon,andpackagescostfrom£1,745(€1,999)fortwopeopleforatwonightstay
(childrenare£45pernight).
Ifyouwanttobeclosertothebrightlights,thentheCOMOMetropolitaninLondonhasChristmaspackagesfrom
£800perroom(€916)pernight,whileCOMOTheHalkinisofferingfestivedealsfor£640pernight.
Andifyoureallywanttogetawayfromitall,wherecouldbemoreexoticthantheMaldives.TheAlilaKothaifaruis
asereneislandretreatofferingChristmaswithadifference,includingafestivedivewithSanta,atreasurehuntfor
hiddengiftsaroundthetranquillagoonandcarolsingersunderthetropicalnightsky.Asevennightstayincluding
flightsandseatransferscostsfrom£7,620perperson(€8,733).
Caption:Caption:
ExpandChristmasattheKClub:AthreenightChristmasCelebrationspackageisavailablefrom€3,090per
person
kclub
Publication: irishtimes.com
Date: Sunday,November12,2023
Page: Link
Christmasinahotelcomeswithallthetrimmings
andnowashingup
StayinginahotelthisyearcouldbeaChristmasgiftbutbewarned,itcanbeexpensive
FancyahorsedrawncarriagedrivetoChristmasmass?Orhowaboutagospelchoirserenadingyouwithcarols?
Orbetteryet,yourturkeyandhamserveduptoyouonaplate–andwithnoquarrelsoverwhoisdoingthe
tidyingup!StayinginahotelthisyearcouldbetheChristmasgiftyouneverthoughtyouwanted;butbewarned,it
willcost.
Alloverthecountry,peoplearestartingtogearupforthebiggestfamilyeventoftheyear.Overthecoming
weeks,peoplewillstartbuyingpresents,decoratingthehouse,clearingoutroomsforadultchildrenwhowillbe
returninghome,andtryingtofigureoutwhereextraguestswillsleep.
Itcanbealotofwork,butformostpeople,thejoyofhavingeveryonetogether,evenforoneday,isworthit.
However,ifyoudon'trelishthethoughtofslavingoverahotstove,cleaningthehousefromtoptobottomoreven
havingeveryroomfullofguests,or,ontheothersideofthecoin,youmaynothaveanyvisitorsandwould
actuallyrelishspendingtimewithothers,ahotelcouldbeanoptionforyou.
So,forallofthosewhowanttoenjoythefestiveseasonwithoutthefussandbother,wehaveputtogetherafew
ideasforgettingawayfromitallandbeingpamperedinthelapofluxury.
Ifyou'relookingforthehotelexperience–butdon'twanttogiveupyourfestivedecorations–youcouldconsider
CartonHouseinKildare,whereyoucangetasuitewithyourownChristmastree.
ItsfestivecelebrationsstartonChristmasEve,whereguestswillbewelcomedwithachampagneandcanapé
reception,whileenjoyingcarolssungbythelocalMaynoothGospelChoir.
Suitesorstateroomsinthemainhouse,themagnificent18thcenturybuilding,comewiththeirownChristmas
tree,butyoucanalsobookthecheaperoptionsinthegardenwing.Anotheroptionisthebeautifulfourbedroom
LennoxLodge,completewithlivingareaandkitchen,makingittheperfectplaceforafamilyorgroupoffriends.
[Christmasonlineshopping:101ofthebestIrishwebsitestobuygiftsfrom]
GuestswillreceiveastockingfulloftreatsonChristmasmorningandfollowingabuffetbreakfast,canwrapupand
enjoyawalkorcyclearoundtheestateoraleisurelyswiminthewellnesssuitetoworkupanappetiteforthe
fabulousfivecoursefestivelunch.Atwonightpackageisavailablefrom€1,165perpersonbasedontwoadults
sharing.
OrhowaboutastayintheheartofGalwaycity,overlookingLoughAtalia?AtwonightfestivebreakattheGalmont
HotelandSpa,startsfrom€570perpersonsharing,withthreenights(includingdinneronSt.Stephen'snight)
from€745perpersonsharing.Youcanexpectmincepies,muffins,hotchocolateandmulledwineonChristmas
Eve,plusavisitfromSantaonChristmasDay,andbubblesandcanapésbeforeafestivelunch.
Foracastleexperience(here'shopingitsnows!),howaboutDromolandCastleinCoClare,whereaspecial
surprisevisitorwillbringgiftsforeveryone,whileguestswillbeencouragedtorelaxinfrontofaroaringfireor
enjoythemagicalsoundsoflocalcarolsingers,aspartofitsChristmaspackage.Ahawkwalkwiththecastle's
residentfalconerisalsopossible.
ThespecialfestivethreenightpackagewillfinishwitharelaxeddinnerintheEarlofThomondRestaurantand
EarlofThomondTerrace,followedbypostdinnerentertainmentandcosts€2,532perperson.
ItisoneofthemostfamiliarlandmarksinDublin,sospendingChristmasatTheShelbourneHotelisundoubtedly
goingtobespecial.Havingplayedhosttocenturiesofrevellers,atChristmastimeandthroughouttheyears,the
combinationofoldworldelegance,luxuryandarelaxedvibemakethevenuetheperfecthomefromhomeinthe
city.
CelebrationsstartonChristmasEvewithafourcourselunchordinnerintheSaddleRoom,followedbyan
afternoonspentrelaxingbythefire,takingastrollaroundStephen'sGreenorthefestivecitystreetsorsimply
enjoyingtheluxuryofyourhotelaccommodation.
OnChristmasmorning,guestscanenjoyatraditionalIrishbreakfastfollowedbyaspecialvisitfromSantaClausin
theLordMayor'sLounge,beforeafivecourselunch,whichtakesplaceintheSaddleRoomRestaurant.
AtwonightChristmasstaycostsfrom€770perperson,basedontwopeoplesharing,withchildrenunder16at
€350each.
AdareManorinCoLimerickpromisesaChristmascelebrationof“unforgettablesplendour”.Beginningon
ChristmasEvewithafestivechampagneafternoonteainTheGallery,orlunchinTheCarriageHouse,Santawill
alsobeinresidenceforanyonewhowantstopopinforachatathissecretlocationontheestate,whichcanbe
reachedbyhorseandcarriage.
[IorderedmyChristmastree.Iwon'tbedecoratingituntilDecember8ththough.I'mnotacompleteanimal]
Achampagnereceptionwilltakeplacebeforealavishdinnerandastheeveningcomestoaclose,visitorscan
availofachauffeurtotakethemtoChristmasEvemassatthebeautifulHolyTrinityChurchinthevillage,orhead
totheTackRoomforanightcapandsomelightentertainment.
ChristmasDaywillalsoseetheopportunitytovisitthelocalchurchservicefollowingbreakfastinTheGallery;
alternatively,guestscanenjoyrelaxingaroundthemanorhouseorexploringtheestatebeforethefestivelunchin
theballroom.Thethreenightpackagestartsat€3,675perpersonsharing.
AtwonightbreakattheKillarneyPlazaHotelandSpa(includingbreakfasteachmorningandfestivedinneron
oneevening),startsfrom€184perpersonfortwopeoplesharing.
PackthegolfclubstoenjoyChristmasatTheKClub,CoKildare.AthreenightChristmasCelebrationspackage,
whichincludesfamilyportraits,ChristmasEvemass,aperformancefromtheDublinGospelChoir,avisitfrom
SantaClausandakidsmagicshow,isavailablefrom€3,090.
Setin1,300acresofunspoiltcountryside,atwonightstayattheFarnhamEstateSpa&GolfResort,CoCavan
startsfrom€519perpersonsharing,withthreenightsfrom€690perperson.
IfyoufancyaChristmasDayswim–withoutthechillfactor–CenterParcsinLongfordhasoptions,suchas
€1,999forathreebedwoodlandlodgeforfournights.Youcanalsopreorderatreeanddecorationsforyour
lodge.
AthreenightChristmaspackagecostsfrom€1,215perpersonsharing,andfournightChristmaspackagesare
from€1,499,atMountJulietEstateinCoKilkenny.
ForthosewhowanttoheadawayforChristmas,theUKisjustashorthopaway.TheFairmontHotelWindsor
Park,iswithinanhourofLondon,andpackagescostfrom£1,745(€1,999)fortwopeopleforatwonightstay
(childrenare£45pernight).
Ifyouwanttobeclosertothebrightlights,thentheCOMOMetropolitaninLondonhasChristmaspackagesfrom
£800perroom(€916)pernight,whileCOMOTheHalkinisofferingfestivedealsfor£640pernight.
Andifyoureallywanttogetawayfromitall,wherecouldbemoreexoticthantheMaldives.TheAlilaKothaifaruis
asereneislandretreatofferingChristmaswithadifference,includingafestivedivewithSanta,atreasurehuntfor
hiddengiftsaroundthetranquillagoonandcarolsingersunderthetropicalnightsky.Asevennightstayincluding
flightsandseatransferscostsfrom£7,620perperson(€8,733).
Caption:Caption:
ExpandChristmasattheKClub:AthreenightChristmasCelebrationspackageisavailablefrom€3,090per
person
kclub