FITZGERALD’S WOODLANDS HOUSE HOTEL & REVAS SPA

Adare
Co. Limerick
Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel enquiries
www.woodlands-hotel.ie

• Family Friendly Hotel.
• Fabulous Revas Spa.
• Peaceful picturesque setting.

It is very unusual to find a hotel that is both friendly, family run, family friendly, and also home to a deluxe spa! I found the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel to be quite unique in what it offered to its guests, and certainly worthy of a strong Hotel Reviews Ireland recommendation. Nestled in 40 acres of landscaped gardens just outside the village of Adare, the approach to the hotel was impressive. As I drove up the tree-lined driveway the birds were singing, ducking and diving, and guests were sitting outside in the sunshine enjoying afternoon tea. There was ample parking with no long walk to the reception and first impressions were very positive.

ACCOMMODATION AT WOODLANDS HOUSE HOTEL

There are 94 bedrooms and mine was spacious with a large bay window looking out over the front gardens. The bed was exceptionally comfortable, the furniture was tasteful and the room was full of light with windows that open. There was a smaller bedroom with two single beds just off the main bedroom, so this would be a perfect suite for a young family. The bathroom had a Jacuzzi bath, and a shower with the best pressure I have come across in ages – it was almost like a massage in itself! I liked the fact that my bedroom was on ground floor level, as half the hotel’s bedrooms are, as this is so much safer for families and much more pleasant if you have lots of luggage than going floors up in an elevator.

TIMMY MAC’S BISTRO

The main dining room, The Brennan Room, was closed on the night I stayed so I ate in the Bistro, which I must say was very good indeed.

The menu is extremely comprehensive, with dishes to suit all tastes and lots of choices for vegetarian, happy heart and gluten-free options. The wine list is very well priced, with some very approachable wines at under €30.

I liked the open kitchen at one end of the dining room, the open fire place in the centre of the room, and three old bicycles hanging from the ceiling! There is an old-fashioned country feel to this dining room, with red gingham tablecloths, and wooden tables and chairs, yet the menu, service and cooking is distinctly modern Irish. The service was excellent and the place was buzzing. In fact, it was exactly what a good bistro should be.

The menu was certainly the most comprehensive I have come across in a long time, with dishes to suit all tastes and pockets and dietary requirements. In fact I counted 42 choices in all! Far too many to mention but well marked with vegetarian, gluten-free, healthy-heart and authentic Irish dishes all flagged. My Tiger Prawn starter came in a little skillet with a tasty bruchetta and salad on the side – delicious. This was followed by a very good Surf n’ Turf which was beautifully presented on a square white plate with lots of fresh herbs, a wooden skewer of salmon and prawns on a juicy sirloin steak cooked to order. I could eat it again just thinking about it! Portions were generous, service was spot-on and it was a thoroughly pleasant meal. From the carefully chosen wine list, I opted for a Montes Special Reserve Pinot Noir which came with a very fair mark-up and constituted quite a bargain for a fan of this smoothly crafted wine.

REVAS SPA

Now here’s the thing about spas. As the man said a spa is like a car, it includes everything form a Mini to a Mercedes – how true that is! A few small beauty rooms does not a spa make, yet some hotels seems to think they can get away with that. Not so at Woodlands House Hotel. Revas is the real-deal, a fabulous luxury spa with a South Pacific feel; tastefully designed Thermal Suite; cocooning relaxation area; large outdoor Jacuzzi; couples treatments rooms and a full menu of spa and pampering treatments. The spa area is located away from the main hotel, but you can access it through corridors past the Leisure Centre and so can visit in your robe from your room. I opted for a wonderfully therapeutic Hot Stone Massage, holistic and deeply relaxing and I really appreciated the design and mooted colours of the Spa ambiance. With eighteen treatment rooms and spacious reception, relaxation and treatment areas, Revas Spa is a world away from the busy hotel, yet what a perfect compliment for the adults in the family!
Woodlands is a great little hotel, one that knows and understands its guests and delivers on all levels.
This carries a strong Hotel Reviews Ireland recommendation.
Fitzgerald's Woodlands House Hotel