Cliff House Hotel

True to its name, the seaside Cliff House Hotel clings dramatically to the side of a cliff near the seaside village of Ardmore, offering stunning views over Ardmore Bay. The modern stone, steel, and glass structure with turf roofs offers serene luxury. It's Michelin-star restaurant, The House Restaurant, draws its share of foodies eager to try chef Martijn Kajuiter's modern take on Irish cuisine. The restaurant, and the gorgeous views over the water are the stars of the show here -- highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows and entire walls made of glass. The lobby is cloaked in dark hues and wooden furniture -- slate-colored stone walls are paired with black-tile flooring, a wooden front desk, and decorative details that include purple lampshades stacked atop black crates. A small sitting room with a cozy fireplace and shelves filled with sightseeing information adjoins the front desk area. There’s also a lounge full of comfortable couches and armchairs, and a large collection of books. Decor is somewhat sedate -- the views get the attention -- but the common spaces are are warm and inviting, and the vibe is relaxed and friendly.

The hotel perches on a cliff on the south side of Ardmore Bay, with beautiful views over the water. Ardmore is a small fishing village and popular seaside resort with sandy beaches, quaint thatched cottages, and 12th century church ruins. There are several nearby towns worth a visit,  such as Youghal (a 16-minute drive) with its historic walled seaport, and the seaside market town of Dungarvan (a 25-minute drive). Cork is about an hour's drive, and Waterford is 40-minutes from Ardmore. The nearest bus stop is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel, with buses going to and from Cork.

All rooms have beautiful views of the bay, and are stylishly decorated  in a fresh color palette inspired by nature -- there's a lot of sea greens and blues, mauves and subtle pinks that pair well with the crisp white bedding and walls. Each room is graced with custom, commissioned artwork made by local artisans -- large statement pieces hang above the beds and include such details as polished glass, cork, or weaving. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, stereos, radios, work desks, tea- and coffee-making facilities (suites have Nespresso machines), mini-fridges with free bottled water (though no minibars), and free Wi-Fi. Lovely, large bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers as well as modern egg-shaped bathtubs, heated towel racks, fluffy bathrobes and slippers, and Anne Semonin toiletries. A variety of suites are available, including duplex loft-style suites with lovely living rooms on the ground floor, complete with cozy fireplaces and bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto large private verandas. Bathrooms have walk-in rainfall  showers with glass walls offering sea views. A self-catering, three-catering cottage is also available, and sleeps up to six people (plus additional space for kids), with a dining room, living rooms, and a modern fully equipped kitchen.

The Michelin-starred House Restaurant brings in the foodies with its modern take on traditional Irish cuisine that uses locally sourced produce and fish to the maximum. The adjoining bar restaurant is less formal, and serves a wide selection of classic Irish comfort food. There’s a lovely outdoor terrace for summer dining as well. Though the House Restaurant is not open daily, the bar restaurant is, and is popular with locals and guests alike. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and offers a la carte items, a full Irish breakfast, oatmeal,  or smoked salmon with spinach, among other dishes.

The hotel has a beautiful indoor infinity pool with a glass wall offering gorgeous views over the bay, as well as an outdoor rock pool. The spa draws its inspiration from the seaside location and offers a wide variety of treatments, such as seaweed facials and bathing therapies in outdoor baths on the relaxation terrace. Treatment rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water, and there’s a sauna, steam room, and an outdoor hot tub. The fitness center is small but equipped with modern exercise machines. The hotel hosts a variety of events and has several meeting rooms, conference, and wedding facilities.