OPULENCE, WITH A LITTLE WARMTH

I drove into Westport from Leenane, taking a route that had been suggested to me at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. By the time I arrived, I had already seen a little more of the countryside than I had planned and then I drove through the gates of Castlecourt.
 

My first thought was simply: wow. The hotel was opulence at its core. Chandeliers, flowers, beautiful china, elegant seating everywhere, and one gorgeous space after another. There were lounges filled with plush chairs and sofas, fireplaces, tartans, soft lavenders and grays, and little places to sit all throughout the hotel.
 

And then there were the hallways. My room was on the second floor, and getting there felt like entering a labyrinth. One long hallway would turn into another, which would turn again, and I honestly loved it. Every time I left my room, I had to find my way back through this little maze of Castlecourt. It still makes me laugh.
 

My room itself was surprisingly cozy. There were two beds — a twin and a queen — two high-backed chairs, a desk, plenty of outlets, a huge window overlooking the courtyard, and beautiful sheer curtains with heavier curtains behind them. The room felt like the perfect balance of modern and elegant. The bathroom was just as lovely, with beautiful tile, a glass walk-in shower, a huge mirror, and a towel warmer.
 

One of my favorite little details was the key-card system. I would put my card into the reader when I entered, and suddenly the lights came on. It felt like the room was welcoming me in.
 

I spent my two days exploring Westport mostly on foot. The hotel was so close to everything that I left my car parked and walked into town whenever I wanted. Shops, pubs, restaurants, all of it was right there.
 

I had fish and chips at the hotel one evening, although unfortunately they weren't my favorite. The fish was a little gooey, and I suspect I simply caught them on an off night. Breakfast, though, was another story. The buffet was full of breads, yogurt, fruit, meats, drinks, and all the little things you could want, and then I ordered an Irish breakfast on top of it all.
 

But what I remember most about Castlecourt isn't one particular meal or even my room.

It's the feeling of the place. For all its chandeliers and polished glass, it never felt cold or intimidating. The soft colors, fireplaces, flowers, tartans, comfortable chairs, and endless places to sit made it feel surprisingly homey.
 

It was elegant without making me feel like I had to be elegant. I loved that. Out of all the hotels I stayed in during my time in Ireland, Castlecourt was a definite favorite. And I would absolutely return.