Words To Publish

All sorts of trivial stuff you didn't know you needed to know.

Posts Tagged ‘Europe’

Doolin Hotels: Three Great Hotels In Doolin Ireland

Doolin hotels, guest-houses and bed & breakfasts have had to raise their game in recent years in order to compete with the larger hotel chains now becoming prevalent in the Irish market. The hotels and guest-houses chosen here are some of the best independent hotels in Doolin Ireland that provide great service, lodgings and scenic views.

The 4-star Tir Gan Ean House Hotel was one of the more quirky hotels to be built during the Celtic economy boom. The hotel’s 12 spacious rooms have an ultra-modern design with plasma TVs, under-floor heating and modern en-suites.

The contemporary design could have proved quite jarring against its rural context (just a short walk from Doolin) but this was tempered with a traditional Celtic architecture to the exterior. The range of breakfast options are also a welcome treat with hot and cold options to suit American & European tastes.

Aran View House Hotel: One of the more traditional hotels in the area, this 3-star 19 room hotel has the best sea views out to the Aran Islands, especially from west-facing rooms and the panoramic hotel bar.

All rooms were recently refurbished to provide the contemporary facilities you’d expect (modern en-suites, satellite TV, etc) without sacrificing on the old Irish charm of the hotels decor. On summer evenings the bar also provides entertainment in the form of traditional Irish music sessions which Doolin is famous for.

Ballyvara Guest House Hotel: The 4-star Ballyvara is a short walk from Doolin village in a wonderful rural setting. The eclectic mix of room types (twins/doubles/quads/family/studio) has something to cater for all groups of guests while the quality of facilities (satellite TV, marble en-suites) in all rooms is of a very high standard.

The laid-back atmosphere makes this a very relaxing place to stay while the hearty breakfast options includes everything from pancakes and maple syrup to the ever present full Irish breakfast.

When considering European golf holidays Portugal has the mix of courses (prices, types and quality) and year round warm weather to make it ideal for golfing at any time of the year. This article focuses on the main golfing hub – the Algarve coast – and its key courses.

For a trouble-free golf holiday Algarve, in the south of Portugal, has been attracting European golfers for decades. Vilamoura is the unofficial golfing capital due to it having the greatest concentration of courses and resorts.

The Quinta Do Lago club actually has 2 courses which regularly make top 25 European course lists. While both have true running green s, immaculate fairways and fine landscaping it is the south course which just has that little bit more maturity of design.

Closer to Vilamoura town the Old Course is the most renowned in the area for its picture perfect greens and fairways. Water obstacles are peppered round the hilly course and the views off of the higher tee-boxes of the surrounding countryside are wonderful.

Of the independent (i.e. non-resort) courses two favorites of the area are the Vila Sol and the Pinheiros Altos. Both sport wider fairways than some of the championship courses and less complex greens (few if any tiers) but prove just as enjoyable and scenic.

Fans of links style golf favor the western Algarve. The prevailing ocean breezes factor into how each course plays. At the most difficult end of the range, the Penina Championship Course already has an unforgiving design (rolling greens, narrow fairways, long par 4s) and the Oceanico Faldo was designed, uniquely for the area, as a desert style course. Nick Faldo obviously knew what he was doing as the deep bunkers, large dunes, fast greens and sea breezes make the course change how it plays from hole to hole.

For anyone seeking idyllic golf holidays Portugal has the depth and breadth of courses all within the west & central Algarve areas to ably compete with Spain for sunny golf breaks.