AbsoluteHotel.com

Sir Harry's Mall,
Limerick
Absolute Hotel enquiries
www.absolutehotel.com

• Lovely bright stylish city hotel.
• Really friendly staff.
• Super spa and fabulous food.

After our recent visit to the Absolutehotel.com in Limerick city we were left with so many positive aspects to recommend it, that it is hard to know where to start!

Many modern hotels try so hard to be all things to all guests, and some try so hard to be chic and trendy, but end up getting it all wrong. The formula at Absolutehotel.com however really works well. We felt welcome and comfortable, and we really loved the bright open design, lots of glass and contemporary yet comfortable features.

We found the hotel easily enough on the Dublin side of the city, and went straight into the complementary underground parking. From there it was through the doors into the bright light-filled lobby where I was greeted by really friendly receptionists and a hassle-free check-in.

The next thing I encountered a problem – my laptop had developed a glitch trying to pick up the wireless, and I had no less than three helpful people sorting it out for me in no time!

Hotel Accommodation

So to the bedroom – this was certainly one I could move into permanently! I had a bright work area, a comfortable sitting area, a luxurious bed and a perfect bathroom. I had a large kidney –shaped bath, huge separate power shower area, great mirrors and lighting and warm flooring. Add to this chic toiletries, super-soft towels and luxury robes – they had thought of everything here. While the room had air-conditioning, the windows did open too and this was so welcome after encountering so many that don’t!

One interesting thing that I have never seen before was the unique “Larder At The Lift” just outside my bedroom door. Complete with glasses and an ice machine, this is a great alternative to a mini-bar in each room. Just insert your room card and choose from an array of food and treats – a very novel idea. But really the whole hotel design is quite novel, so chic and stylish and it really works – everything works!

The design of the hotel building itself is very clever – it makes great use of the light around it and the river beside it. The Abbey River is the backdrop to the Riverbank Restaurant and Bar, and also to the terrace bar – for when our weather permits al fresco wining and dining. I had arranged to meet my dinner companion – a good friend I had not seen for years since she moved to Limerick – and we both agreed it was a perfect place for a catch-up. We had a lovely meal there at our window side table, the food like the service was again what I would call ‘contemporary comfort’. We enjoyed warm goat’s cheese and crab cake starters, followed by succulent rack of lamb and roast salmon and hake respectively. This was all pleasantly partnered by a very well-priced little bottle of Boujoulais Villages.

The Absolute Spa

Finally, after a relaxing breakfast the next morning, it was off to experience the AbsoluteSpa. Here the thermal suite provided the perfect prelude to a reviving facial. The products are from Barbor – a lovely range of quality spa products. I enjoyed one of their signature treatments, a rejuvenating absolute facial after which I spent a dreamy half hour in the relaxation room. We were experiencing such wet and grey summer weather that it was pure joy to be cocooned in this lovely hotel for work, rest, renewed friendship and reviving treatments!

All too often when you say ‘chic and stylish’ that can translate as cold and unfriendly, but I encountered nothing but friendly smiling helpful and very professional staff throughout my stay at Absolutehotel.com Whatever their formula is, I think they could bottle it and sell it on to all new hotels!