A Little Bit of Heaven

Rick Steve's guide book of Ireland mentions a place on our route that is "a-died-and-gone-to-heaven" hotel and restaurant. Actually, it is a small hotel of the Relais & Chateau variety. After short consideration we decided before we left home that we would splurge for one night.


Tonight I can tell you authoritively that Rick Steve is right. It is called The Cliff House, in Ardmore. It is on the south east edge of the island on the ocean. From the website it looks a little like the TSR Lodge. The similarity ends there.

It is a narrow place with many levels, all 39 rooms having ocean facing decks. When we were escorted to our room, I thought they mistakenly put us in a suite. We have a bedroom area with a reading area with a huge, pink, comfortable chair, a fireplace separating the living area with another reading area, a TV on each side, a deck on the ocean on each side of the room. The bathroom is spacious and modern and beautiful, all glass tile and waterfall spigots, with a designer bathtub.


View From the Back of Cliff House to Ocean

We had only a half day by the time we got there but enjoyed as many of the amenities as we could fit in. We used the swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and outdoor spa tub but had to forgo a spa treatment as we had a dinner reservation. The only thing we didn't have much time for was relaxing. But after driving for a few hours to get there we felt like moving around.


From Inside Cliff House to Cantelevered Deck

We had drinks at the bar. I had one of the best mojitos I have ever had, and then we had a spectacular 3 course dinner in their perfect restaurant. I can only describe the whole place as tastefully, elegantly, comfortable. The service people are knowledgeable, intelligent, helpful and kind. My only regret was that we did not have time to try everything. We are in heaven and now I am going to to try out the luxurious bed. Good night all.

Post Script:
The next morning we got up early to do the cliff hike. Since it was the usual grey and cloudy day we put on our rain jackets. The hike is a three mile loop starting at the hotel. It goes along the cliff tops somewhat like the bluff walk at TSR but there isn't a bluff. The hills taper down to the top of the cliff then make a sheer drop of a few hundred feet to the ocean. There is a narrow path along the top.


View From Path to Ocean

We hiked along and met an Irish couple who we had met the evening before in the hot tub. They had started the hike but gave up because the Wellies they borrowed were too big and uncomfortable. We were wearing our waterproof hiking shoes so we hiked on admiring the very dramatic scenery and surprisingly came to fields planted with carrots and other crops. The farmers use every bit of the island almost to the edge. Then the trail made its way through the town. It was at that point that the sky opened up. We picked up our pace but it took us about 20 minutes to get back. By this time our waterproof shoes were soaked, our pants and socks were soaked. We were pretty drenched except the upper body where the jackets kept us dry, but we were happy to have been able to walk in Mother Nature's bit of heaven.