Food to rival the city slickers… and top-class golf too
CITYWEST REVAMPED
It’s hard to imagine a hotel with 764 bedrooms. When full, it houses more people than many places that call themselves towns around the country. Well, that’s what’s available now at the newly refurbished Citywest Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin. Needless to say, it’s now the country’s largest hotel. They can also cope with 2,000 delegates for conferences and just last week opened the new Woodlock Brasserie. The project involved a major €13.5m investment by owners Tetrarch Capital, just three years after they took over the premises. Having sampled the food at the new Woodlock, it compares to the top-class city-centre restaurants rather than your regular hotel fare. Of course, they also have a top golf course and have pumped a lot of the money into upgrading the reception and car parking. See citywesthotel.com for their latest offers.
ETIHAD DEALS Abu Dhabi and Bangkok are proving very popular destinations of late and if you ever pondered a trip, now might be the time to bite the bullet. Etihad are offering early-bird prices for many of their destinations, including Abu Dhabi (pictured) at €460 and Bangkok at €471. You need to get a move on, though. Offer ends tomorrow! etihad.com EUROPE FOR LESS
Also in sale mode, Aer Lingus are offering 20% off flights to a bunch of European cities as well as trips to sunny destinations such as Malaga and Lanzarote. Sale ends tomorrow at midnight. aerlingus.com TEE-TIME IN FRANCE
France will become one of the top golf destinations over the next year or so, with the Ryder Cup heading there in autumn 2018. If you want to try it out for a fourball, Summer France are offering an apartment for about €300 per person at Les Palmiers du Golf. One-bed gaff, sleeping four, overlooking the Atlantic. Make your own way there, in terms of flights and transfers. summerfrance.co.uk
PLAY IN PORTRUSH
And while we’re on the subject of golf, Portrush will host The Open, one of golf’s four major championships, in 2019. If you want to play there – and who wouldn’t – you can now book easily from the comfort of your own laptop with Golf Now. It will set you back about €212 but at least there’s no lottery (unlike St Andrew’s). It’s a great course and, if you’re going to spend a few bob on golf, play one of the best courses in the world. golfnow.com
SKI SAFARI And finally… Ski Safari have a week’s ski holiday departing on February 11, 2018, to Sweden’s ski-in ski-out Stöten Ski Hotel for two adults and two children under 12, for €970pp in a onebedroom suite. Flights and half board. skisafari.com