BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
Well it’s all over and the fans are home, the money is spent and the partners are just about talking again.
So here is a tip for those of you who want to build up the brownie points and treat your significant other.
After 35 years of marriage, I know there is no better way to do that than a few days away at a luxury hotel with a spa.
Following a major refurbishment the Shandon Hotel and Spa in Dunfanaghy, is once again putting its best foot forward and providing Donegal with superior accommodation in a wonderful location.
On arrival at the Shandon Hotel and Spa its clear to see this is a very impressive building. Standing like the Whitehouse overlooking Dunfanaghy beach, it is a landmark that draws your eye.
The main reception area is as welcoming as the as the view you can see from it. Check in process was efficient and seamless and within a minute I was off to my room.
Sea Views
All the Rooms in this hotel face the sea, giving everyone a spectacular view. The view is breathtakingly beautiful, you can sit in your room and watch four seasons pass in 20 minutes.
It’s like having the latest HD screen right across the room. Having visited many hotels over the years I have developed an ability for spotting housekeeping faux-pass.
A very important thing for me when visiting hotels is the standard of housekeeping, it can make or beak a hotels image in an instant.
The Shandon was at the great end of that spectrum, the housekeeping was superb and it was easy to see this was a beautifully kept hotel.
Large seating areas at the front of reception made a great space for just watching the views and taking afternoon tea.
Wonderful Rooms
My room was large and extremely spacious and had excellent amenities, full sized fridge (great for families), two large comfortable beds, good quality linens and housekeeping was spotless. A comfortable armchair was provided to enable you to take in the view; needless to say it was well used. The spacious bathroom was clean and dust free and clearly had been well cared for. The drying line over the bath was a great idea and no doubt for the bathing suits. Having a bath and a shower were pleasing to see as this hotel is geared for families.
Breakfast
Breakfast was a delight, two members of staff were working so hard, they hovered over the tables like silent drones, cleaning, lifting plates wherever they can, a real asset to any hotel are the staff and these people did not disappoint.
One other member of the restaurant team was asked where the breakfast sausages came, he was full of knowledge about the local produce used in the hotel, what a gre
at level of service this was. After breakfast my wife was looking at a map in the front lobby, the same waiter came over and offered assistance on tourist info. Brilliant service!
Spa
I’m not a spa person, so that is why I bring my wife she know the right end of a pedicure and manicure and has been in the very fortunate position to have been in many spas in many countries, the good news is the Shandon Spa is right up there with the best, my spa tester was extremely impressed, she had the €85 treatment, she loved it and was extremely impressed with the quality and delivery of the product.
One of the spa receptionists also gave us some superb tourist info and told us of the Rusty Oven. What a font of knowledge a veritable walking tourist board encyclopaedia, and again great ambassador for your hotel.
Bar
The bar in the Shandon was well used spacious it was busy with a mix of families and diners alike. Vibrant friendly and busy, just what you want in a bar. I was too busy looking at the beautiful scenery to eat dinner in the hotel, but did have the opportunity to talk extensively to four ladies who had afternoon tea. They told me what they got, how much they got and the fact they could not eat it all and they loved the whole experience. Says it all really.
What an impression
The Shandon has probably the most stunning location of any hotel I have ever been in, including the Inter Continental in Kowloon. Hong Kong harbour is amazing but I sat in room 316 for a lot longer looking at the majesty of that view.
It is simply breath taking as you watch the seasons roll in and out. Donegal has a lot to offer visitors, and every time I visit this magnificent country I enjoy it more and more. It is not hard to see why so many people have a holiday home there. The Shandon has now come of age and the refurbishment has meant it is a truly splendid place to stay, for an afternoon, day weekend or longer, you will not be disappointed.
Friendly, kind, considerate and dedicated staff makes the Shandon a real treat to visit.
Check out http://shandonhotelspa.com
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