Ireland is one of the most visibly stunning places on earth. Away from the cities, there are endless miles of rolling green hills, farmlands dotted with grazing cows and sheep,  pretty little quaint villages with colorful row houses, and those iconic Irish pubs to die for.  The Irish people are just as memorable as the villages they come from; always quick with a witty  joke to keep you on your toes and in that lovely sing song  accent. But when it comes down to a holidays in a luxury country house hotel in Ireland, it’s a serious matter and the Sheen Falls Lodge is just about as good as they come.

The Sheen Falls Lodge was a seventeenth century fishing lodge of the Marquis of Landsdowne and is today surrounded by a majestic forest, rivers, and purple heather-covered hillsides. This countryside estate’s most beguiling feature are the gorgeous waterfalls that cascade over craggy rock formations and bring a sense of tranquility to the environment. Guest may see a deer strutting through the hotel’s and manicured grounds or a blue heron frozen in its stance as it patiently waits for today’s meal to swim into reach. The hotel sits on 300 acres of woodlands alongside of the mouth of the Sheen River which leads to the Kenmare Bay and then out to the Atlantic Sea. As guests stroll through the abundant nature of the property,  the stress of life back home quickly becomes a distant memory.

Beyond the natural beauty of the area, the Sheen Falls Lodge offers the consummate luxury country house hotel in Ireland with sophisticated five-star accommodations and as the Relais & Chateau Property, boasts 2 AA Rosette awarded fine dining restaurant , one of the top in Ireland. The resort is elegant without being stuffy and offers a wealth of bespoke experiences, a first-rate spa facility as well as their most memorable attribute, their endearing Irish hospitality.

Inside this well-dressed Irish manor house exudes old world luxury with stylish interiors, elegant furnishings, muted colors accented by floral drapes and bay windows flooding the rooms with natural light while offering views to the gorgeous outdoors.  There are sitting rooms with crackling fireplaces – ideal for high tea or perhaps a snifter of whisky from their extensive collection – with wingback armchairs and the occasional mounted deer with an imposing rack of antlers to let you know you are in a lodge. Guests will enjoy time in their library, filled with a trove of leather-bound books, lost in a novel from the great Irish masters such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Yeats, George Bernard Shaw to name a few.  Throughout the stay, their nattily dressed staff is at the ready with their world class service to take care of any whim.

The accommodations range from spacious rooms and suites to family sized villas.  All are well appointed with a refined country-inspired décor with original artwork and furniture handmade by local artisans.  Many rooms have fireplaces as well. The Superior Rooms are ideal for romantic couples with a kid sized bed, comfortable furnishings and windows or terraces that look over the falls.

In addition to the setting, accommodations, and service, the 2 AA rosettes dining experience at La Cascade restaurant  makes the holiday beyond reproach. As a Relais & Chateaux property, expect the finest gourmet cuisine from locally sourced and seasonal produce. The setting is elegant and formal with flickering candelabra on  starched linen tablecloths and fresh cut flowers as live  piano music adds to the ambiance.

Of course guests will want to select the smoked  salmon, caught from the estate  or the Kerry lamb and mussels fresh from Kenmare Bay  with organic vegetables from a neighbor’s farm., The restaurant boasts one of the largest wine cellars in Ireland with a daunting menu of  10,000 bottles from 800 label from 18 countries. The cuisine, service, and wine offerings have rightfully positioned the restaurant at Sheen Falls at the pinnacle of top tier restaurants in Ireland.

The culinary excellent doesn’t stop after the dinner bell. Breakfast offers an impressive spread as well as a la carte eggs benedict with creamy hollandaise sauce and salmon make an exceptional start to any day.     The high tea service is a scrumptious and refined affair as well with fluffy homemade scones, gourmet sandwiches, and champagne all set in front of the views of the countryside.

There are endless activities available to guests around the 300-acre property. The Easanna Spa is a good place to start offering a full range of service from beauty, to massage and Atlantic seaweed body wraps. Guest will also enjoy time in their sauna, steam room and  Jacuzzi as well as the all-season indoor heated swimming pool set in a glass house with plenty of chaise lounges to relax in between dips. There’s also a full-service workout facility with highly regarded trainers to get the body back in tip top shape.

The extensive grounds of the property provide opportunities for a host of outdoor activities from grass tennis courts,   falconry lessons , archery, skeet shooting, horseback riding and , of course, fishing on the estate’s river and bay. There are also bikes available for guests ideal for a two-mile ride into the lovely town of Kenmare. One must-have experience that is nothing less than sublime is trekking through the miles of trails, meandering along the river and then through the woodlands while taking in the with beautiful mountains.

When we spend our precious time to go on vacation, we want everything to go right. A place like the Sheen Falls Lodge goes beyond with impeccable accommodations, amenities and happens to be tucked away in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. For those looking for the quintessential Irish countryside holiday, look no further than the Sheen Falls Lodge.