Sneem Hotel,

Goldens Cove,
Sneem,
Co Kerry
Sneem Hotel enquiries
www.sneemhotel.com

• Spectacular location and views.
• Unique hotel in award winning little town of Sneem.
• Family owned and very professionally run.

The sun was making a very welcome appearance as I made my way to the pretty seaside town of Sneem on the famous Ring of Kerry. Carved out of some of the most spectacular landscape in the region, I came across the lovely new Sneem Hotel nestled in Goldens Cove on Kenmare Bay.

LOCATION

The spectacular location quite took my breath away as soon as I drove down to the hotel. It was exceptionally quiet and unspoilt, and the only sounds I heard were the birds. Walking around the little inlet facing west was like a stroll in a postcard! It is quite a dream setting for a hotel and I was delighted to discover that my bedroom had perfect views over this lovely vista. The hotel is very cleverly designed making maximum use of the light and scenery that surrounds it. High ceiling in the lobby which has glass through to the back of the hotel, dining room and bar are both facing the sea and mountains and there are tables and chairs where guests were enjoying bar food and drinks in the sunshine. A very idyllic scene for an Irish summer’s day!

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Half of the rooms face west, and some – including my own – have a large balcony privately screened on either side, from where you have panoramic views to enjoy the sunset. Indeed the early morning misty landscape was pretty spectacular as well!

Number 118 is a spacious and luxurious bedroom with those amazing views to enjoy through the large French windows. Since the evening was balmy I actually enjoyed the views from the balcony, where it was so peaceful that it felt like my own private setting! Inside the spacious room I had a huge bed with numerous pillows, a wide-screen TV, a particularly comfortable robe and free broadband connection.

DINING AT SNEEM HOTEL

My dinner guest arrived and after marvelling at the setting – he being a professional landscape photographer was well impressed – we settled down to study the well-balanced menu and wine list. Starter choices included tiger prawns, quail, chowder, salads etc. Mains offered Rack of Sneem Lamb; fillet of John Dory; Ginger and almond crumbed chicken; Sole on the bone; steaks and imaginative vegetarian options. There was something for everybody here with plenty of good classic dishes. We chose the John Dory and Chicken and with all the vegetables that arrived, we still asked for potatoes and were promptly given both champ and chips! Service was excellent and we chatted our way through three courses each. The wine list takes us to virtually every wine producing country in the world and offers a red and white from each. With Argentina there is none better than Michel Torino and his award wining Cabernet Sauvignon was delicious.

Breakfast the next morning offered a good choice of pastries, cereals and juices, fresh fruit salad and yoghurts. Best of all is that all hot dishes are cooked to order, so much better than the self-serving sad offerings that can be pretty uninviting if you arrive too late.

Other touches that impressed us at this hotel were tasteful design features and vases of fresh flowers and the success of “bringing the outside in”. The Sneem Hotel is carved out of a magic little corner of South Kerry and with such a location it just has to be a winner.