RELAIS & CHATEAUX

See Route de Bonheur Package - Ireland.

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 475 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 55 countries including Ireland. The Cliff House Hotel is proud to have been accepted as a member of Relais & Chateaux in early 2010.

Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony. To choose Relais & Châteaux is to experience an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers a chance to explore the Route du Bonheur and discover a special place in a variety of destinations.

The Relais & Châteaux signature reflects this ambition: "ALL AROUND THE WORLD, UNIQUE IN THE WORLD.".

Visit the Website - Relais & Châteaux

The Irish and UK Delegation of Relais and Châteaux is made up of 30 Luxury Hotels and Restaurants and includes as well as some of the finest properties in Ireland, Marlfield House and Sheen Falls Lodge and in the UK including Chewton Glen, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, Lucknam Park, Gidleigh Park, The Fat Duck and Waterside Inn.

Links to other Ireland and UK Relais & Châteaux properties:

You can now also get an app for your i-phone allowing you to find your nearest Relais & Châteaux property wherever you are. Click here to get the Relais & Châteaux i-phone App.

Route de Bonheur Package - Ireland

The Three members of Relais & Chateaux Ireland, Marlfield House in Gorey, Co. Wexford, Cliff House Hotel, Ardmore, Co. Waterford and Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, Co. Kerry are delighted to offer a Route de Bonheur package of €960.00 per couple for three nights bed, breakfast and dinner including a glass of champagne on arrival in each property. This offer is valid throughout 2010 and guests will be given a complimentary upgrade on arrival when available.

Three superb Relais & Chateaux properties punctuate a coastal tour of Ireland's southern counties: glorious scenery all the way, from Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains to MacGillycuddy Reeks and the wilds of Dingle Bay.

From Dublin International Airport it's an 80km drive south to Marlfield House, near Gorey, via the hills of Wicklow and endless white sand beaches in the sunny south - eastern corner of the emerald isle. 19km south of the capital, near the pretty village of Enniskerry, the powerscourt estate is famous for Irelands biggest waterfall (398ft) and superb gardens, complete with folly and grotto, ornamental lakes and terraces commanding a grand view of the Sugarloaf Mountain. There are more than 200 varieties of trees and shrubs.

Between sea and hills, Marlfield House has a beautiful garden of its own, with tennis and croquet for entertainment on site, and excellent golf not far away (Courtown and Seafield). The nearby port of Wexford attracts opera lovers from all over the world for its autumn festival (late October), and connisseurs of excellent seafood throughout the year.

Marlfield House
Gorey Co Wexford / Ireland
Tel. : +353 (0)53 9421124
[email protected]
http://www.marlfieldhouse.com/

En route for The Cliff House Hotel at Ardmore in west Waterford (158km from Gorey), the town of Waterford makes a convenient stop. Even if you don't intend to buy any glass, a tour of the famous Waterford Crystal Factory is recommended, for a fascinating insight into the manufacturing process.

Cliff House Hotel is a wonderfully relaxing seaside hideaway in west Waterford, near the village of Ardmore, whose long history goes back to St. Declan (5th Century). There are sandy beaches, exhilarating cliff walks and fine golf to enjoy, and kayaking, surfing and sea fishing are easily arranged. The hotel itself floats above the sea like an ocean liner, and has a wellness zone, gym, hand harvested seaweed treatments and an indoor infinity poolwith steps down to a natural outdoor rock pool.

Cliff House Hotel
Ardmore Co. Waterford / Ireland
Tel. : +353 (0) 24 87800
[email protected]
www.thecliffhousehotel.com

From Ardmore it's a 178km drive to Sheen Falls Lodge, a magnificent property near Kenmare that rewards the weary driver with a superb dinner and a rare collection of old Irish whiskeys. Break the journey to visit 600 year old Blarney Castle, near Cork, and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence at the top of the tower. Never again will you be lost for words.

Sheen Falls Lodge has stunning views of Kenmare Bay and the Sheen cascading waterfall. A traditional hunting lodge with 66 bedrooms on a 300 acre estate and six tatched cottages for rental. Estate activities include tennis, clay pigeon shooting, beautiful walks, health club, spa treatments, fishing and nearby horse riding and golf.

Sheen Falls Lodge
Kenmare Co. Kerry / Ireland
Tel. : +353 (0) 64 6641600
[email protected]
www.sheenfallslodge.ie

The Relais & Chateaux Route de Bonheur is a collection of road maps that are intended as an invitation to travel and should be kept in your travel bag. Produced in patnership with Michelin, they enable travellers in search of sophisticated adventures to put together a la carte itineraries interspersed with exclusive stop-overs. The first three road maps were published in 2009 (France and Benelux, Spain and Portugal, Italy) and were updated for 2010. They have been joined by three new ones: United Kingdom and Ireland, Germany and Austria, USA and Canada.