Miriam Donohoevisits the Park Inn in Mulrany, Co Mayo.
EXHAUSTED AFTER a tedious four-and-a-half hour Friday-evening drive from Dublin, we tumbled into the Park Inn in Mulrany cranky and in need of food (and a stiff drink). It was 8pm, dark and too late to appreciate the stunning views over the Atlantic and Clew Bay.
We were here for a gathering of the in-laws, 12 adults and six children in all. The rest had left Dublin earlier than us, and had checked in, tested the pool and jacuzzi, and were ready for dinner by the time we straggled in.
We offloaded our bags (the hotel was busy with a wedding, so we opted for a two-bedroom apartment on the grounds), freshened up and headed straight for the Waterfront Bar, where the noise confirmed that the in-laws had well and truly arrived. The big roaring fire and warm greetings from family immediately lifted our spirits. The weekend had begun.
Despite its contemporary decor, the hotel is more than 100 years old. Built by the Midland Great Western Railways in 1897, it was a famous destination when the rail line ran between Westport and Achill. It was possible in the old days to buy a combined ticket for accommodation and travel, allowing passengers to board the train in Dublin and alight at the back door of the hotel. Its heyday was in the 1960s; its most noted visitors were John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who stayed in 1968. Photographs of them hang in the bar, and a bedroom has been named and decorated in their honour.
After lying vacant and dilapidated for 15 years, the listed building was reopened in 2005 after a sensitive restoration by a local couple, Tom and Kathleen O'Keeffe. They brought it back to its former glory, taking full advantage of the Atlantic views. The old has merged well with the new. An extension containing the leisure centre and function room is modern, with much of the frontage in glass. But in the old building, wooden sash windows have been replaced with replicas and the original staircase has been retained.
There are 41 bedrooms in the main hotel and 20 two-bed apartments in the grounds at the back. The apartments have a sitting room, kitchenette, bathroom and two bedrooms - one with a double bed and one with two singles. The sofa can take an adult or two children.
Our apartment had a balcony with a view of Clew Bay. The kitchen, however, is small, with only two cooking rings, which might not suit a family taking it for a week or two in the summer. There was no en suite in the double bedroom, something else that might irk those with high expectations.
Food and service in the bar on Friday night was second to none. The men had no complaints about their steaks (€22), and the baked salmon was faultless. Main courses ranged from €15 upwards, and there was a good kids' menu. It was refreshing to have staff who were friendly and attentive.
In fact, the staff and the service were among the highlights of the weekend. A special mention to Asta, the duty manager, who came to the rescue of this writer, who dropped her small but sentimentally precious diamond pendant down the sink in the apartment bathroom. With the maintenance crew off-duty, Asta heroically pulled away the tiles around the base of the sink, detached the pipe and retrieved the jewel, while himself snoozed on the couch, oblivious to the mini-drama.
I usually rail against buffet breakfasts, having experienced too many dried sausages and rashers. But the buffet here didn't disappoint. There were plenty of healthy options, and guests could order eggs from the kitchen cooked to their preference.
The beauty of Mulrany and the Mayo coastline is a huge attraction. We did a big walk on Saturday morning, soaking up the panoramic views. The girls had treatments in the afternoon while some of the men watched football in Neary's pub. The children were happily entertained in the pool.
Dinner in the Nephin restaurant on Saturday night was exceptional. The set €49 menu offered a great choice. The monkfish was a big hit, and the desserts looked almost too good to eat.
A two-night weekend break here is too short, especially if you drive all the way from Dublin. Unless, like the in-laws, you can get down early on the Friday.
Where:Park Inn, Mulrany, Westport, Co Mayo, 1850-336000 or 098-36000, www.parkinnmulranny.ie
Ambience:Friendly, relaxed and casual. Old mixed with the new.
Best rateFor April, the Park Inn is offering a midweek deal of two nights' bed and breakfast and one dinner for €159. Availability is limited at weekends. The apartments are €220 per night, with breakfast for occupants, midweek and €285 per night at weekends.
Child-friendlinessPerfect for children. Babysitting can be arranged.
AmenitiesThe hotel is on 17 hectares (42 acres) of woodland. There is a 20m swimming pool with sauna and outdoor hot tub. There are also in-house treatments. A Blue Flag beach is a short walk away, and Achill is a 20-minute drive.
Food and drinkThe Nephin restaurant and the hotel made the Bridgestone Guides' top 100 restaurants and hotels in Ireland this year. A set dinner is €49. The Waterfront Bar does excellent bar food, and there is music on Saturday night.
AccessThe hotel has four rooms that are fully fitted out for wheelchair users. There is also a moveable ramp for access to the ground-floor apartments.