LUXURY TRAVELLER

After 70 years of modest growth, Ireland has enjoyed 20 years of madcap catch-up with the rest of the world. So we're entitled to say that we have now put the "decade" into "decadent". But what's decadent about aspiring to deliver the very best standards in hospitality?

From being a poorish country—but with a great reputation for hospitality— Ireland has added a dash of American razzamatazz and self-belief to a wonderful countryside.

And please, please forget the idea that Irish cooking is bacon and cabbage. That has gone with the wind, long time passing. You may not know it yet, but there are restaurants in Ireland which, whilst they may not yet match up to the very best of Mayfair or Manhattan, are certainly coming into the major leagues.

As a seasoned traveller, you will know that genuine top-rank hotels are as rare as beautifully cut stones. There are many big, flashy numbers—and there are even more fakes—but the subtleties of a truly exquisite cut are lost on the mob. So it is with good hotels, for it is the attitude of the proprietor and staff which mark out the true gem.

We have had the pleasure—in the ten years of traversing our little green island—of staying in the very best. Not all of them have spas and seaweed baths the size of dry docks; not all of them (even the castles) have that special lustre that comes from the true hospitalier—but we make it our business to know by consistent research and experience where you will meet true luxury.

David travels the country by road: I traverse it by phone and email daily. If you want luxury, we can provide it, and because our entire promotional budget goes on listening to our customers and talking to them face to face, you can be sure that we will not be overcharging.

Nor are we in the numbers game. Truth told, we are happier caring for 2, 4 or 6 than for hundreds. How can anyone claim to give personal service to an incentive group of 80? That is errant nonsense and we will have none of it.

So let us discreetly and economically spoil you—it will be our pleasure.