Guest relations
As hotels aim for unique charm and personal service, and guesthouses up the ante in terms of luxurious touches, it can be hard to spot the difference. Ireland abounds with guesthouse gems that wouldn't raise any eyebrows if they turned up in the Boutique Hotel category. Dingle's Pax House is one such place, where John O'Farrell's guests return again and again, raving about the terrace views, the breakfasts and pretty much everything else. With a recent top-10 ranking in the Tripadvisor Choice Awards, Pax House offers summer rates from €140 up to €280 per room, B&B; pax-house.com
Sidewalk shuffle
Pounding the pavements gets a whole new meaning at the Burren Yoga Retreat, where – weather permitting – you can get your cobra pose right in the epic surroundings of the area's unique limestone pavements. And if the sun doesn't play ball, there's a lovely studio too. Take a weekend retreat from €510 pps, or a six-nighter from €1,110, including B&B, yoga and meditation classes, guided outings and veggie dinner each evening. With classes for absolute beginners to advanced practitioners, becoming "at one" starts here; burrenyoga.com
Cooling off in Cyprus
Dive into crystal waters, and then come up for air with a nice pool-side lounging session at the five-star Venus Beach Hotel, Paphos in Cyprus. Cassidy Travel has seven nights from €599 pps, including return flights from Dublin and hotel transfers. Departure date June 13th; cassidytravel.ie
Luxe for less
As more Asian destinations reopen to tourism, the high-end Avani Hotels & Resorts collection has a range of special offers across six of its destinations. From flexi stays to resort credits and free nights, we like the look of the Avani+ Khao Lak, with private pool villas looking out over pristine beaches. Get 20 per cent off dining and spa treatments, and complimentary hotel transfers from Phuket airport – just 60 minutes away. You'll also get 35 per cent off for stays over seven nights, bringing your B&B rate down to a starting point of €65 a night. Check out avanihotels.com/en/asia-reopening-offers. Book your flight to Phuket with Etihad before May 31st, and get fares from €695; etihad.com.
