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Ashford
Castle
Have
you ever dreamed of staying in a real Irish
castle but hated the idea of having to sacrifice
services and amenities? Well, I‘ve found a
solution that can make your castle dream a
reality.
Ashford
Castle
is located on the banks of Lough Corrib, a
thirteenth century fortress that’s now a five
star hotel.
This imposing façade on acres of
manicured grounds and masques one of the most
romantic hotels I’ve ever stayed
in.
The
building was originally created in 1228 A.D as a
monastery. Throughout its history it‘s passed
from noble family to noble family until it was
turned into a hotel in the early twentieth
century. Since then, it’s played host to
politicians, royalty and celebrities.
But
you don’t have to be famous to enjoy the world
class atmosphere of
Ashford
Castle.
This is a hotel that’s embraced traditional
style and service. It’s lobby is filled with
authentic oil paintings and rich antiques. The
concierge and hotel staff are always available
to cater to their clients every need.
If
your taste leans towards the outdoors, then
you’ve come to the right hotel. At
Ashford
Castle
they offer lessons and the opportunity to enjoy
all sorts of “gentleman sports”. I tried my hand
at falconry, archery and clay shooting but they
also offer fishing, riding and golf. If you’d
like a more disciplined workout, then try out
the hotel’s fitness center. They have a full
range of weightlifting and cardiovascular
machines.
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MAYO,
IRELAND
ASHFORD
CASTLE
Cong,
Co. Mayo,
Ireland
Tel: +353 94
9546003
Fax: +353 94
954620
www.ashford.ie
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After
an afternoon of vigorous outdoor activity, I
decided I needed to relax in the Ashford Spa.
They offer a full line of body treatments and
massages.
If
you’re still looking for ways to unwind, then
just outside the walls, you can hop on a boat
cruise through Connemara. They say that there are
over 365 islands in this region but I had to
take their word for it. There just wasn’t enough
time to discover them all!
Of
course the easiest way to relax is in your own
room. The 83 rooms at
Ashford
Castle
are all unique in size and décor but are also
richly decorated with designer fabrics and
inviting seating areas. Some of
the larger rooms have romantically draped four
poster beds. Almost
all the rooms have a water view of the either
the river or lake below and all boast
20th century amenities that we’ve
come to expect from a five-star luxury hotel.
While the bedrooms are magnificent, the marble
bathrooms are spectacular, some with pedestal
sinks and claw footed Victorian tubs. All feature
thick terry towels, robes and slippers, and
luxury toiletries.
For
a traditional Irish meal, pop into the George V
Room.
Here you’ll find many fish and lamb
dishes that reflect the culture and cuisine of
Ireland. The Connaught Room has a
chef’s tasting menu that’s a gastronomical
experience worth having.
At
the end of the night you can either head to the
sophisticated Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar or
the Dungeon Bar for nightly
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