Park Hotel Kenmare

Nestled peacefully in an idyllic setting overlooking Kenmare Bay in South West Ireland the 5 star Park Hotel Kenmare, Co. Kerry is at one with nature. Dating from 1897 each of the 46 bedrooms enjoy a spacious sitting area furnished with antiques and objects d’art while most have a full water view or private veranda. The Dining Room with its silver ladened sideboards, acclaimed menu and service is classical in every sense of the word. Totally dedicated to resident guests this Kerry hotel has no meeting or banqueting facilities to distract the young and professional staff away from caring for residents. After a heavenly day touring the coastal roads, playing some of the world’s best golf courses or surrendering to the holistic pleasures of SÁMAS, the hotels Deluxe Destination Spa, evenings can be spent watching the legends of the silver screen in The Reel Room, a 12-seat cinema showing some of the great classics nightly.

With its lovely location and views over the terraced gardens to the ever changing mountains across the bay, service in this elegant dining room is unfailingly outstanding. A stylishly restrained classicism has characterised this distinguished kitchen under several famous head chefs. Currently Joe Ryan occupies the role, offering a wide choice of dishes on a seasonal a la carte and set dinner menus. There is an understandable leaning towards local seafood, including lobster; but Kerry lamb, beef, pork and local duck do feature as well as interesting vegetarian dishes. Typically, an early summer menu might start with marinated fillet of salmon with beetroot and wild asparagus, light and cold lobster gazpacho - or a refreshing sorbet.

Cannelloni of fresh sole and crab on wild mushrooms with a morel cream sauce is a typical main course. Beautifully presented desserts might include red wine soup with caramelized figs and pistachio ice cream and there's a good choice of local farmhouse cheeses. Excellent service; fine list of over 200 wines, a short a la carte lounge menu is available throughout the day.

The cellar contains over 400 wines from fourteen countries dating from 1952. Each wine is carefully selected from the top growths of the world's finest vineyards.