Issue 2 : Winter/Spring
2001 |
Each year we seem to add to our list of favorite places. Here are some of the new ones, interspersed with a few of the regulars:
Scotland
Glenapp
Castle opened in May 2000 and has proved a triumph for
the owners (Fay and Graham Cowan). Seven years of faithful restoration
have produced an atmospheric family home within the walls of an
imposing castle, set in acres of magical gardens with extensive
ocean views. Cuisine is exceptional and the venue is perfect for
that special family or corporate occasion for which the castle
can be made available for exclusive use. Located only 16 miles
from Turnberry, nearby golf includes the splendid Portpatrick and
Stranraer courses. Southerness is commutable for a day trip, as
are all the Ayrshire courses.
Lochgreen House at Troon is now a regular recommendation and never disappoints. Its sister hotel, Highgrove House, is also consistently praised for food although the accommodations are a division below those of Lochgreen.
Boath House near Nairn is one of Scotland's finest historical houses. Family-run and with great food, it offers a wonderful opportunity to sample the small country house genre at its most appealing.
Where to eat and drink:
- South West: Glenapp Castle, Highgrove House and Lochgreen House (Troon), Wildings (Girvan)
- East Lothian: La Potiniere (Gullane), Greywalls (Gullane)
- St Andrews: The Peat Inn, The Vine Leaf, The Grange Inn
- Carnoustie: Gordon's (Inverkeilor)
- Edinburgh: Atrium, Balmoral, Number One, Martin Wishart
- Glasgow: Number Sixteen, Arthouse Grill, Eurasia
- Aberdeen: Faraday's, Silver Darling, The Marcliffe at Pitfodels
- North: Dunain Park Hotel (Inverness), Boath House (Nairn), Royal Marine Hotel (Brora), Altnaharrie Inn (Ullapool), Inverlochy Castle (Fort William), 2Quail (Dornoch)
Ireland
Killeen House in Killarney has been lauded
by clients visiting Ireland's southwest: friendly staff, good location,
fine food and good rooms - ensure you book the championship rooms
where possible. Upscale Killarney Park has that
traditional style that most AIG clients prefer and the advantage
of a central location from which you may walk to pubs and restaurants.
In the Dublin area you can't beat the Portmarnock Hotel for
all-round quality and convenience but, if you prefer to stay in
town, we suggest the Merrion (5 star) or the Schoolhouse (3-4
star).
Further north Cromleach House has received fine reviews from those of you visiting County Sligo, where the future of Ballincar House is uncertain following its recent sale. In the past we have sung the praises of St Ernan's House at Donegal and Rathmullan House a little further north. To these we could add the small but charming St John's House, which is well located for anyone wanting to visit the excellent courses at Ballyliffin.
Elsewhere, Mount Juliet and Waterford Castle always earn positive reports, as does our old favourite Newport House. At Glassdrumman the whole family is now involved so standards continue to be maintained but, if space is tight, the refurbished Slieve Donard Hotel is a safe bet.
Where to eat and drink:
- Dublin: Le Coq Hardi, Rubicon Restaurant, Mulligan's
- South West: The Cloister (Ennis), Foley's Seafood Restaurant (Killarney), Nicks (Killorglin), The Smugglers (Waterville), Wild Geese (Adare)
- South East: The Ship (Dunmore East), O'Shea's (Tramore), Dwyer's (Waterford)
- South: The Vintage Restaurant, The Blue Haven, The White House (all Kinsale), Flemings Restaurant & Oyster Bar (Cork)
- North West: Rathmullan House, Castle Grove (Letterkenny), Cromleach House, Quay Cottage (Westport), Newport House
- Northern Ireland: Ramore's (Portrush), Glassdrumman Lodge (Annalong), Ardtara House (Upperlands)
England & Wales
Have you never visited Sharrow Bay in the
Lake District? Promise yourself you will! The food is gourmet,
the atmosphere and service memorable and the setting on the northern
edge of Ullswater is sublime. In the Cotswolds the Lygon
Arms at Broadway remains a firm favourite, while Pennyhill
Park is a popular choice close to Sunningdale (but ensure
you take rooms in the old wing).
Where to eat and drink:
- North West: Arkle Restaurant (Chester Grosvenor), Beadles (Oxton, Birkenhead), Sharrow Bay (Ullswater), Miller Howe (Windermere), Linthwaite House (Bowness-on-Windermere)
- Yorkshire: The Box Tree (Ilkley), The Black Bull (Moulton), Brasserie 44 & Pool Court at 42 (Leeds)
- Wales: Bodysgallen Hall (Llandudno), Junction 28 (Bassaleg, Newport), Le Gallois (Cardiff), Castle Cottage (Harlech), Maes-y-Neuadd (Talsarnau, Harlech)
- Kent: Landgate Bistro (Rye), Wallet's Court (St Margaret's at Cliffe), the Dove (Dargate)