A quiet oasis looking over the park, but within walking distance of the city centre, good shops, vibrant bars and restaurants; old Limerick bricks and mortar are here combined with contemporary Irish style. The bones of this 1830s building are beautiful: wooden shutters, lofty sash windows, haughty stone and marble fireplaces, high ceilings. Patricia has created four bedrooms upstairs in the main house, all with views, heritage colours, grand beds, thick carpeting, fabulous bathrooms with roll tops, double sinks and pummelling showers. There’s a huge, elegant drawing room on this floor too, with leafy views through enormous windows. Meals are taken in the brasserie style restaurant – from a pre-theatre snack or full à la carte there is a commitment to Irish food; try Limerick cheeses or seaweed sausages from County Mayo. Along a corridor from here find 15 ‘club’ bedrooms, smaller but with everything you need, a more modern feel and a penthouse suite on the top floor. There’s a small garden and terrace for outdoor dining to the rear of the building, and the famous People’s Park is across the road.
We loved the food in this place, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Be sure to check beforehand if the restaurant is open during your visit, it only opens for two days per week and it is worth a visit. The room was spacious and bright, the bed comfortable, and the spa was an added treat. Staff was very friendly and accommodating.