Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

One of the most picturesque villages in Ireland, with a quiet harbour overlooking bobbing boats and grandly green views. Walk off the main street through a pretty garden and climb the outdoor steps (this was once a hayloft) to two beautifully designed spaces. The top suite has a higher ceiling but both are stunning and clever: everything you need here in one large light room with high, quirky windows, pale wooden floors and white walls. A hub in the middle separates living area from sleeping and contains on one side a super modern shower room and on the other a dazzling kitchen – fully equipped for cooking everything! Loll on a broad leather sofa with creamy cushions, turn the gas-fuelled stove on, lower the chrome lighting and settle down to relax – there's a peaceful, uncluttered atmosphere here. More active souls have much on the doorstep to explore: walk the Burren and discover Mediterranean and Arctic flowers growing side by side, take a picnic to the beach, spot otters in the bay, birdwatch, snaffle some local oysters, mussels, crab or smoked salmon. The perfect place to chill – or be creative.