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Hotels

I still can’t believe we are at the end of 2009 but I have high hopes for 2010.

Another thing I can’t quite believe is that I have managed to post on a regular basis. Thats not like me.

But I guess when you enjoy something it is easy to stick with it.

So Happy Christmas to you all and I will be back around the 11 January with loads of news.

Here is a sneak peak of the gaff I will be staying in for five days next April.

Most of the (well all of the) properties on Haven In Paris, a luxury holiday rental website, are out of my price range. But that doesn’t stop me from drooling over the apartments all the same. I really love the two bedrooms below. I would sleep soundly in either one. Both rooms are part of a lovely 3 bedroom apartment in the heart of the art and antique district in Paris. Ooh la la

haven in paris bedroom

haven in paris bedroom2

We didn’t really take a summer holiday due to the usual reasons but I am sick of penny pinching and I want a break! I am currently toying with the idea of 3 nights in Amsterdam. I checked out the hotels the lovely Danielle from The Style Files suggested in her Amsterdam city guide – there are some very cool designer hotels in there. I would have no problem staying in any one of them. But now I am thinking how lovely it would be to stay in a houseboat! If anyone has stayed in a houseboat before I would love to hear about it.

here are some pics from Houseboathotel website

I just love these two rooms from Ilse’s latest project. She has just completed a revamp of Das Kranzbach spa hotel in the Bavarian Alps. The second picture below reminds me a little of the Bellinter House interior.

Check out the rest of the rooms and pictures over at Remodelista.

this room above looks so inviting and warm. I could definitely spend an evening here sipping some wine.

The beautiful neutral interiors of the Olde Bell Inn by British interior designer Ilse Crawford. I love the herringbone throw and the red radio for a splash of colour. And their food looks good too – simple and wholesome. (I think its time for lunch)

Pics via Remodelista

I really like it when a pub or a restaurant is a feast for the eyes as well as your taste buds.

I just love the bold and quirky interior of the Idlewild pub in London. Click here for more pics and location.

How cool is this place! And its in Dublin! Number 31 is the coolest B&B I have seen umm … well anywhere and they claim to do the best breakfast in Ireland (well bar mine of course!).

The guest house is a mix between ‘a Classical Georgian townhouse and a stunning modernist mews’ and is the work of the talented architect Sam Stephenson.

To top it off they have a sunken lounge and a mirrored bar as well as cool design classics throughout.

 

Whilst on my travels around Kerry and the Dingle peninsular myself and D discovered a magnificent place to rest our weary heads and hide from the wet weather. We had just spent two days camping – which is a big enough deal for two non campers but it rained all night the first night and we had gale force winds the second night. So we decided to treat ourselves and stay in a B&B on the third night. Well I am not sure if it was due to being exposed to the elements for two days but we found the most amazing B&B. The minute I walked into the pub attached to the B&B I felt like we had walked into that friend’s place you always like visiting. The room was warm with soft cosy lighting, the windows looked out onto a beautiful courtyard with splashs of colourful furniture, the walls adorned with little personal finds and art and beautiful soft music flowing gently around the room. To top it off they had a selection of really nice red wine and a big chocolate brown dog named Daisy. Tig Bhric is about 7 miles from Dingle town.

Although Ireland is not the cheapest country for weekend escapes, some hotels are worth it if only for a night. The Park Hotel in Kenmare is a stunning mixture of old Victorian charm and modern opulence. The rooms are furnished in luxurious fabrics and dark wood making you feel very regal indeed. Then when you are ready you can swan down to the spa with some of the most amazing views…. er… ever! Its hard to believe that the photos below are from the same hotel.

 

Then you have the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford – who again have made the most of their amazing view. Although the interiors are a little safe there are one or two elements that draw you in.

 

 

I stayed in this stunning house last July. I love the mix of retro furniture and modern design within an old georgian house. Here are some photos I snapped whilst there. I believe they may have changed the furniture in this room since so I am glad I was able to experience it first. Bellinter House is about an hour drive from Dublin. 

Bellinter House, IrelandBellinter House, IrelandBellinter House, Ireland