Knockranny House Hotel

The Knockranny House Hotel is a family owned and run property that has a good deal of contemporary style with a few traditional Irish touches that make it feel right at home in Westport. The vibe throughout is elegant, but homey, and the hotel's secluded location gives it a relaxing atmosphere. There are lots of seating areas and comfy couches dotted around, as well as fresh flowers and roaring log fires in the winter. Throughout the corridors and public spaces there are lots of eye-catching paintings by local artists, many of which reflect the surrounding area and local culture. Pops of bright color in the flooring, walls, and carpets offset more traditional accents like antique pieces of furniture. The hotel mainly attracts tourists of all ages, both domestic and international. Many stay here due to the proximity to the Great Western Greenway and the local beaches. It's also popular with food lovers, as the on-site restaurant has an excellent reputation.

The hotel is located on a secluded hilltop just off the Westport to Castlebar road. It’s a tranquil spot, away from the main road and away from the lively center of town, and the setting provides fabulous views of Croagh Patrick Mountain, Westport town, and the surrounding countryside from many vantages throughout the property. The center of Westport is a ten-minute walk from the hotel, where there's vibrant nightlife and a range of shops. Croagh Patrick Mountain looms over the town and is popular for day hikes. Clew Bay is a five-minute drive from the hotel, as is the Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park with its range of leisure activities, gardens, a mini-railway, and boating lake. The hotel is also near the Wild Atlantic Way route and the Great Western Greenway -- a popular new walking and cycling track on an old disused railway line, just a five-minute drive away. Ireland West Airport Knock is a 50-minute drive.

The hotel’s 97 guest rooms are large and bright, with lots of contemporary style not often found in small hotels in the area. Guests can expect to see soft, neutral colors and elegant furniture like French-style armchairs and gold-framed mirrors and paintings. Furniture comes in sharp, dark hues that offset the abundant white and tan tones (in most rooms), and accents like tufted or country manor-style headboards add some polish. Extras like bed runners and pillows in modern shades and patterns -- like the orange and gray ones we saw in the Deluxe King Room that we visited -- are a nice touch. Some rooms, like the Grand Deluxe Super King Room we saw, are a little more traditional than others, and have less chic furniture and accents. While many rooms have spectacular views of Croagh Patrick, others only have views of the hotel's courtyard, so check ahead. 

All rooms include air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, safes, irons and ironing boards, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Suites also have goose-down bedding and a large, separate living room. Bathrooms are spacious and modern. All include generous shelving or counter space and accessories like hairdryers, and many have dual-sink basins plus separate bath tubs and shower cubicles. Again, rooms like the Deluxe King Room that we visited have gorgeous white-marble bathrooms, while others have a less modern style characterized by light granite and tiling. 

The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, La Fougere, specializes in Irish cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many of the dishes use produce grown on-site in the hotel’s garden, and the chef also uses many other locally sourced seasonal ingredients. An a la carte breakfast is included in room rates and includes a nice selection of cooked-to-order options. There is also the Brehon Bar, which serves lunch, dinner, and light meals throughout the day. The hotel also has a large wine cellar with an extensive wine list. Another highlight of the property is the spa, Salveo. It has 12 treatment rooms where therapies such as hot stone massages and facials can be booked. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, vitality pool with hydrotherapy stations, a thermal spa suite, relaxation areas, and a fitness center. All facilities are free for hotel guests, though of course treatments cost extra. For business guests, there are meeting rooms and a conference space. Parking and Wi-Fi are included in the room rate.