Three Laois accommodations have been included in the Irish Independent’s 50 best places to stay in 2021.
Ballintubbert House near Stradbally, Glamping under the Stars near Ballyroan and The Heritage and Killenard were all included in the prestigious list compiled for Saturday’s print edition of the Irish Independent as well as their online version.
While the past year has been difficult for anyone going on holidays – and quite an amount of uncertainty still surrounds the hospitality industry this summer – Pól Ó Conghaile and Nicola Brady – put together the list, which is in no particular order though is broken down by a number of different categories.
Glamping under the Stars appears under ‘Camping, Glamping and Quirky Stays’.
“With bell tents, lodges and a shepherd’s hut in the mix, this is a glamping paradise and a treasure trove for young kids,” writes Nicola Brady.
“This year they’ll be launching six brand new hobbit houses each with a grass roof and a different theme. All going well they’ll be open in July.”
LaoisToday enjoyed a two-night stay in Glamping under the Stars last summer and recommend it highly to families with young children.
Ballintubbert House, the birthplace of Cecil Day Lewis, and also home to John Hurt and Sebastian Shaw, features under Castles and Character Stays.
“In recent years, it’s been exclusively a wedding venue and a spot for small gigs — The Frames played there in 2019. Now they’ve decided to open the house for rentals too, so it’ll be far more accessible,” adds Brady.
“There are five bedrooms in the main house (the vaulted ceilings and huge mural in the Garden Room are simply stunning), as well as six yurts in the garden, which you can book individually.”
Brady also tells us about the “secret room” in Ballintubbert which is located in the basement. “It’s a private honesty bar, with a piano for singalongs.” Sounds great!
The Heritage, meanwhile is included under Fab Four-Stars and Family Stays.
“There’s been a big shift towards self-catering properties this year, so the launch of newly refurbished penthouse apartments at The Heritage is well timed,” reports the piece.
“There’s a gorgeous sense of personality inside each one, with charming decorative touches alongside fully decked-out kitchens, plush living rooms, and balconies overlooking the golf course.
“The hotel has also partnered with Mid Ireland Adventure to offer self-guided mountain-bike tours, with a takeaway afternoon tea you can bring along.”
You can check out the piece in full here.
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