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

It's self-catering, but not as you know it: five star hotels find it hard to compete with the triumphant opulence of Gatsby House. Allow yourself to be whisked up into glamour, thick carpets, bold wallpaper and thoroughly modern gadgetry. You can loll on a deep purple sofa and gaze at the chandelier in the living room, ponder Virigina Woolfe's words as you dine, disappear under soft duvets on the best beds in rooms named after your favourite 50s film star. A local chef can be arranged, so grab a robe and dawdle in the peaceful library while someone else makes breakfast in the professional kitchen. Those of a quieter disposition can retreat to the Secret Cottage at the back; perfect for lovers or seekers of peace. Find a spacious, airy, open-plan living room with an open fire and a cosy red-and-white theme; rustle up your own supper in a swish kitchen with solid wood surfaces and chic retro stuff. You are near to everything: shops, restaurants and a host of festivals and events in vibrant Ardara, as well as the rugged Donegal landscape for walking, hiking and birdwatching. A serious treat for sybaritic souls.