‘CLEAN AND CARING’ AMBER SPRINGS SCOOPS TOP TOURISM AWARD
KELLY’S Resort Hotel, Monart Spa, the Hook Lighthouse and the Amber Springs Hotel have emerged as winners in the Irish Independent’s 2018 Reader Travel Awards.
County Wexford venues took the lion’s share, the four among a string of locations to win places in the readers’ top ratings.
Hook Lighthouse was voted Ireland’s Hidden Gem and took ninth place in Ireland’s top 10 tourist attractions.
‘The tour is fascinating,’ a reader said of the Hook Lighthouse: ‘Seeing is believing... they have really taken off and have added additional seasonal tours which I’m now dying to try.’
The key to the Hook’s resurgence has been an investment in new technology, family-friendly events and creative programming, as well as making the most of its location within Ireland’s Ancient East.
The lighthouse brings its stories alive, which is exactly what the brand is all about. But the distinctive, black-and-white striped lighthouse has also woken a whole new generation of visitors to the wonders of the short, sweet and spectacular Hook Peninsula.
Kelly’s Resport Hotel is Ireland’s favourite place to stay.
‘The place is class without a side of pomp,’ one reader wrote – offering no less than a 300-word review of Kelly’s Hotel in the comments.
‘I seem to be very busy in my life, working all the time and doing “stuff ” – that’s why I love Kelly’s so much. They do all the “stuff ” for you without causing you bother. All you have to do is make the memories. Bliss.’
Irish Independent readers raved about the hotel’s beachside setting, its ‘beautiful gardens and art work’, its ‘mouth-watering food’, ‘beautiful spa’ and activities that ‘never make for a dull moment’.
‘Kelly’s “makes you feel like something is no problem, even when you know it’s awkward”,’ one said. ‘Nowhere can compare to the welcome received here! It is unique and completely unpretentious.’
‘There’s a decency among the staff and a general sense of happiness to be at work,’ another wrote. ‘People remember your kids’ names from last year.’
Monart is Ireland’s favourite spa. ‘Monart hands down,’ said a reviewer. ‘Purpose-built with top class treatments and service,’ another added, hailing ‘a wonderful place to chill and relax’.
One reader dubbed it ‘my favourite present to get in the Christmas stocking’, another that it ‘made me feel like a goddess’. Monart ‘epitomises what a spa should be’ said a reader, with several adding that, once ensconced, you ‘never want to leave’.
Others cited Monart’s ‘totally tranquil’ location, ‘beautiful food’ and ‘friendly staff ’. This is ‘a little piece of heaven,’ one wrote, ‘and you are encouraged to put the phone away... no wifi in bedrooms is a good thing!’ Seafield, Gorey, won second spot in this category.
The Amber Springs in Gorey took the honours as Ireland’s favourite family-friendly stay.
The Amber Springs is ‘a clean, caring hotel with great food and entertainment for the family,’ a reader said.
Commenters call it a ‘top-notch’ and ‘very kid-friendly’ hotel, and ‘a great place to relax and let the kids go mad’. ‘It really looks after customers. Nothing was too much for them.’
The Amber Springs runs kids’ clubs during weekends and school holidays, extras like movies with popcorn and seasonal flourishes like a ‘Seriously Scary’ Halloween train.
It was praised for its ‘clean, bright rooms’ and one person said it felt like it was ‘designed for families’ and ‘has it all’, both for adults and kids.
While not pitched at the same level of luxury as fellow Wexford wonder Kelly’s – the gold standard for Irish family-friendly hotels (and winner of Ireland’s favourite stay) – the judges said Paddy and Tommy Redmond’s four-star richly deserves its win. Kelly’s took second place in this category.
Wexford took sixth place overall in Ireland’s Top 10 holiday destinations, while Curracloe came second in the award for Ireland’s top 10 beaches
Irish Ferries, which operates French and UK sailings from Rosslare Port, took the award for the Best Cruise or Ferry Experience.
‘Irish Ferries has really upped its game,’ said one Independent reader. ‘Sea travelling is now something you might look forward to, rather than dread!’
Others mentioned its ‘great service’ while commending routes that were ‘efficient, safe and cheap’ and ‘fabulous value’.
Aldridge Lodge, in Duncannon, took sixth place in Six of the Best Irish foodie experiences. A reader said: ‘Ireland’s tastiest by a mile... fresh, local ingredients used to make superb modern Irish dishes.’