Dunbrody House

WHAT‘S COOKING? Rather a lot here at Dunbrody House. Ringed by neat lawns and 200 acres of parkland where rabbits scamper on the dramatic Hook peninsula, this is one of the more luscious slices of County Wexford. Dunbrody's setting makes a terrific starter.

Now for some mains. It‘s an impressive, mellow 1830s Irish manor house, sometime family seat of the Marquis of Donegal, whose decor effortlessly marries lordly Georgian with contemporary swish. Step inside to an oasis of crackly log fires, fresh flowers and country calm.

Bedrooms at Dunbrody House come with gorgeous looks, garden views, top-notch bathrooms and a choice of bedding. You‘ll find polished antique furniture, super-comfortable beds and elegant drapes. Some rooms have fireplaces or exposed beams while others sport a balcony. For a seriously splashy stay, check into the extravagant Waterford suite: just order the champagne and bliss out.

Gourmet getaways

Dunbrody House is a destination hotel for food lovers. Owned by Master Chef Kevin Dundon and his wife, Catherine, there‘s nothing country-cousin about the much acclaimed restaurant, which could challenge Dublin‘s top dining spots for talent and culinary verve.

Imaginative seasonal menus are complemented by a daily changing Tasting Menu making full use of on what‘s local, fresh and organic – much of it grown in the hotel‘s own kitchen garden and orchard. Needless to say there‘s an excellent wine list, too.

Take a seat in the scarlet-walled dining room, with its modern art and sculptural long-stemmed blooms. This is definitely the place for bons vivants – we relished our pinkly-perfect Barbary duck with burnt orange sauce.

A must-have at Dunbrody is the champagne breakfast in bed, served until noon each day. For dedicated gourmands, there‘s also a cookery school here where you can hone your own epicurean skills.

Too much indulgence? No worries – guests come here to trough, cook and energise. Check out Dunbrody House‘s swanky Molton Brown spa and choose from a whole range of wellbeing treatments – from pampering specials to a therapeutic massage.

Dunbrody hits the spot when it comes to warmth, character and chillout appeal.  The owners and their upbeat young staff  are the icing on the cake.

© Room for Romance