County Arms Hotel

Birr
County Offaly

County Arms Hotel, Birr
County Arms Hotel Enquiries

• Friendly family run hotel.
• Great wedding venue.
• Excellent Leisure & Wellness Centre.

There was a small wedding party being photographed in the grounds of the County Arms Hotel as I drove up for my first visit there recently. The sun was shining brightly, the garden was in full bloom and the style was stunning. There is a beautiful walled garden to the side of the hotel with herbs and vegetables and the mature plants and roses made for a lovely area for resting or for photographs. With all those smiling faces the mood was good as we parked easily and checked in. We loved the Georgian architectural style of the building while the interior has been tastefully renovated and modernized. The hotel has a very friendly local ambiance with a touch of luxury and a keen attention to the guests’ needs. It was interesting to note that after we settled in; we did not see or hear of the wedding party that evening. They had total exclusivity for their celebration and the other guests and diners at the hotel enjoyed the peaceful ambiance of this comfortable hotel.

ACCOMMODATION AT COUNTY ARMS HOTEL

Our bedroom was bright, spacious and contemporary in design. The rooms were recently refurbished and so the décor is modern and stylish and encompasses all the comforts that the modern guest looks for. I was particularly pleased with heating that is individually controlled and windows that open. All too often these two things are missing in modern hotels and it is very important to be able to control the heating and fresh air to suit your own comfort zone. The beds in our twin bedded room were extremely comfortable, linen, robes and slippers were all top quality. We had television, iron and ironing board, tea and coffee making facilities and plenty of space to work and relax. There are luxury suites at the hotel and these were used by the wedding party, however the standard rooms are very comfortable and more spacious than many.

THE SPRINGS LEISURE & WELLNESS CENTRE

We loved the pool which is in a light filled, glass ceiling area on the ground floor. The staff were very friendly when we went in to check it out and I booked a facial for the next morning. The Springs is obviously popular with people from the area as there was quite a buzz there each time we went down. Yet the treatment I enjoyed in one of the three treatment rooms off the main Leisure Centre area was private and quiet and as exclusive as I have enjoyed in any spa. My therapist Siobhan explained how they had recently changed over to the Decleor range of therapies and products, and suggested the Aromaplastie Facial which was thoroughly relaxing and pampering. After the treatment my skin felt like silk, and I floated back to my room. They offer a full range of facial and body care treatments and have specific programmes for men also. The products are very pure and based on aromatherapy oils. Well worth unwinding at The Springs, both at the Leisure Centre and Wellness Suites.

DINING AT COUNTY ARMS HOTEL

We had a window side table in the dining room which was quiet and comfortable and totally separate from the function area. We had a choice of six starters and seven different main courses and the same number of desserts. There was something to suit every taste, duck, sea bass, chicken, lamb shank, sirloin steak and vegetarian options.

I opted for the Fillet of Sea Bass which was oven baked, and I was afraid it might be dry as this fish is usually pan-fried – but I need not have worried, chef had cooked it to perfection. It was moist and meaty and served with roasted fennel and herby white wine sauce. Our other was the Slow Braised lamb Shank and that was just as it should be, succulent and falling off the bone. We had a well structured bottle of Pinot Noir from Tindall in New Zealand which had good depth and red fruit flavours. Desserts were all favourites – Crème Brulee, Profiteroles, Apple Pie, and we went for the Warm Chocolate Brownie and a lovely zingy Sticky Lemon Tart. Very satisfying meal indeed, we lingered over coffees and had a very pleasant evening.
There was a very friendly and popular buzz going on at the hotel, the rooms were spacious and comfortable, there was ample parking, lovely grounds and exclusivity for private functions. The leisure centre is excellent too and together with the very friendly service, it is not surprising that this hotel is a firm favourite in the midlands for so many people.

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