Cliff House Hotel

Ardmore
Co Waterford
The Cliff House Hotel enquiries
www.thecliffhousehotel.com

• Stunning Setting
• Stylish Hideaway
• Ticks all the “what makes a good hotel great” boxes.

This hotel really is carved into the cliff face, so looking out any of the glass walls you feel you could be at sea! It has the most stunning location of any boutique hotel in Ireland. The granite stone façade and floor to ceiling glass spanning over seven floors make this a unique hotel in southern Ireland. The inside is as cleverly designed as the exterior, and although newly opened when we visited, we are certain that this hotel will soon become one of Ireland’s best loved hotels.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE CLIFF HOUSE HOTEL

There are 39 bedrooms at the Cliff House Hotel, although we only came across two – our own and the one next door. Our room was through the glass doors from reception, and shelves of Wellington boots stood outside our bedroom door! Décor is funky at this hotel, antique Campaign furniture features along with natural slate, mooted seascape colours and classy features like stand-alone baths. We had our own balcony and looked straight out to sea – as we said it was like being on a cruise at times! Bed was extremely comfortable, lighting was soft yet sufficient for reading and working. Incidentally the broadband was exceptionally fast and efficient – a big plus for the working guest with their laptop. Bespoke toiletries, extra large towels and beautiful quality robes were just some of the extras that stood out.

THE WELL SPA AT CLIFF HOUSE

Like the rest of the hotel, the spa at Cliff House Hotel takes full advantage of the dramatic coastline, and I noticed that views are perfect from everywhere, even when sitting in the sauna! The swimming pool allows you to swim almost right up to the sea, and the outside hot-tub is a real winner. The spa itself dedicates itself to two ranges of products, VOYA, an Irish company based in Sligo – www.voya.ie – and Anne Semonin a French company who specialize in nourishing anti-aging products – www.annesemonin.com I had an Organic Seaweed Leaf Wrap with the hand-harvested seaweed following an exfoliation with Bladerwack. Wrapt in warm muslin, the treatment includes a head massage and concludes with a beautiful body moisturiser. This was an exceptional treatment, using all organic local ingredients and left my skin feeling like silk. The following morning I tried an Anne Semonin Cryotherapy facial, which is a really luxurious treatment for the face. All treatments are followed by a spell in the relaxation room watching the waves roll in on Ardmore strand to the left and the Irish Sea extending over to the horizon on the right.

DINING AT CLIFF HOUSE HOTEL

Chef Martijn Kajuiter is a true artist in the kitchen we decided, as we “wowed” our way through our dinner. Starting with an Amuse Bouche which really did tickle our palates and consisted of lettuce jelly, smoked potato, green beans and celeriac foam. Served in a large Martini glass, we just knew this meal was going to be special. And it is true to say that this was one of the most stunning meals I have ever had anywhere in the world. My starter of Warm Marinated Helvick Cod with Fennell, Orange and Black Pudding was fantastic. The Spring 2008 Vegetable Salad with goat’s cheese, nuts and flowers was the prettiest platter you could imagine. Our mains were equally wonderful, a John Dory Fillet with Artichoke Stew and a Local Suffolk Lamb with carrots prepared five ways both more than satisfied. The menu is heavily leaning towards fish and seafood, as befits its setting. Other options included Lobster, Monkfish and Black Angus Beef. We shared a huge strawberry platter for dessert which presented this seasonal beauty in as many ways as you can imagine, deep fried, pureed, marinated and coated and mixed with strong liquor! It was a strawberry fest! But the Petit Fours which followed really took the biscuit – if you will excuse the pun. We had chocolate coated lollipop cookies, Sticky Brandy Snaps, Carrot Cake, Turkish Delight and gold coated chocolates.

The wine list is extensive, starting with bubbles and then travelling through the globe country by country once for the reds and again for the whites. Good choices and well priced to complement this exceptional food.

This restaurant is going to become the most talked about in the South of Ireland, the quality of this cooking is rarely matched in these islands. I suspect people will travel distances for the food alone. With the experience of working with gastronomic giants like Michel Roux, Pierre Koffman and Marco Pierre White, Martijn Kajuiter sources the best quality ingredients and works his own special magic with them.

We would give this hotel our highest recommendation.