Ballyfin

We departed Dublin airport around 5:30p and some 90 minutes later we arrived at one of the most wonderful and special hotels we have ever visited.  

Used as a school until 7 years ago, the buildings were completely restored to a simply marvelous Downton Abbey type home.

Our room, the Lady Kildare suite.

I ordered a capuccino for Mrs. SFO777 and it arrived within 5 minutes.  This type of service was a precursor to what would be a couple of days of absolutely flawless service by a most wonderful staff.

Cocktails and pupus before dinner.

My fois gras was divine.

Back in our room after dinner.

After a wonderful night's sleep, fabulous breakfast.

With it actively raining, we cancelled falconry and took golf carts for a leisurely tour of the grounds.

The shooting range.  OK, we'll be back here later.

Something called the Ice House... perhaps to store ice years ago??

Back at the front, just another of the wonderful staff... indeed a younger Simon Pegg double.

Time for a tour of this beautiful place.

OK, enough of this.  After our active morning LOL, let's head to the bar.

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I don't do a lot of loo pics, but this one was pretty cool.

Time for lunch in the exquisite solarium.

By this time, it was nearly 4pm and time to head up to the shooting range to meet another staffer Glenn, who doubles as the shooting range guide.  What a character with an wonderful sense of humour.

After shooting and a rest, time to head for cocktails and pupus.

And another amazing meal.

Breakfast the next morning on getaway day.

What a extraordinary experience at s simply spectacular small hotel.  With only 12 occupied rooms (of 24) and massive grounds, most of the time it felt like we were the only guests there, and with personable, professional and simply extraordinary staff eager to satisfy every need.   The attention to detail was on a level that one rarely sees anywhere.    Ballyfin is one of the finest hotels that we have ever had to pleasure to visit.