Sheen Falls Lodge is a nature lover’s paradise tucked away within the southwestern a part of Eire. The sprawling 300-acre property, which was initially a Seventeenth-century fishing and searching lodge, is crammed with pure magnificence.
Driving as much as the property, I used to be handled to quintessential Irish surroundings: wooly sheep chewing alongside rolling meadows blanketed in thick inexperienced grass. It felt like my imaginative and prescient had been altered with a saturation filter that intensified the panorama’s shade.
The lodge is nestled between Kenmare Bay and the Sheen River. Upon my arrival, I used to be greeted by porters who shortly took my baggage and escorted me to my room. I glanced on the crackling hearth and made a psychological word to revisit. As I climbed the broad, forest-green-carpeted stairs, I finished to marvel on the seating space on the touchdown. There have been a number of watercolor work of martini glasses that seemed like chickens hung above a salmon-colored sofa.
My suite — fairly a bit greater than my New York Metropolis condominium — had giant bay home windows and views of a waterfall from each room, even the toilet. Over the three nights I stayed on the property, I used to be lulled to sleep by the sounds of cascading falls proper outdoors my window. No want for poor sleepers to pack a conveyable sound machine for this property. Nature’s soundtrack ensures a sound slumber.
Each morning, I began the day with a hearty Irish breakfast, which was delivered promptly to my room at my most well-liked scheduled time. Then I’d get the day began with some actions, like falconry and a tour of the close by Beara peninsula, organized by the concierge, or a remedy on the luxe on-site spa.
Learn on for my full evaluate of Sheen Falls Lodge.
Sheen Falls Lodge
- On-site falconry is an unforgettable and thrilling exercise that enhances the property’s outdoor-friendly setting.
- Visitor suites have both mesmerizing views of cascading waterfalls or the calming Kenmare Bay.
- The property presents a complimentary shuttle to Kenmare, the closest city.
The Rooms
If cookie-cutter rooms aren’t your jam, you’re in luck. Not one of the lodging are the identical at Sheen Falls Lodge. With 60 rooms, 12 suites, and 5 cottages, all of them have their very own distinctive design options and layouts. What they do have in widespread are magnificent views of both the gardens, waterfalls, or Kenmare Bay. Every of the 4 deluxe suites and cottage presents a front-row seat to the area’s breathtaking pure surroundings.
After I wasn’t taking pictures of the distinctive waterfall views, I used to be lounging on the sofa or working on the giant picket desk within the bed room. All the area was the right setting for writing, studying, and stress-free. The overwhelming sense of tranquility made it a real escape.
Along with staying in my suite, I had dinner in one of many two bay villas (beneath the cottage class). This lodging is good for big teams because it has a number of bedrooms, loos, dwelling areas and a full kitchen.
Meals and Drink
My first meal at Sheen Falls was at The Stables Brasserie & Bar. It set the tone for what I might expertise for the rest of my keep. I ordered home made tomato soup as my starter, which was contemporary, piping scorching, and scrumptious. I adopted it up with the native catch of the day as my entrée (fish from round right here consists of sea bass and flouder amongst others). I rounded out my meal with a refreshing combo of blackberry and raspberry sorbet.
All through my go to, I additionally dined at The Sheen Lounge, which serves lighter fare like soups, sandwiches, desserts, and afternoon tea. The seating is plush with cozy couches upholstered with stylish prints. The sofas and banquettes are deliberately positioned in entrance of the home windows for optimum waterfall viewing.
For a style of high quality eating, visitors head to The Falls. The menu options domestically sourced seasonal produce. The meals is a masterful mixture of Irish delicacies with touches of French affect; I had the lobster bisque as my starter adopted by cod and a whipped frozen coconut marshmallow for dessert.
For wine fanatics, a go to to The Wine Cellar is a should. Situated within the basement of Sheen Falls Lodge, this refined cellar homes greater than 10,000 bottles, sourced from 23 completely different nations. It’s personal and usually reserved for marriage ceremony or dinner events.
Nua Vista is one other restaurant on property. Whereas it’s positioned 5 miles from Sheen Falls Lodge inside the Ring of Kerry Golf Membership, it’s nonetheless part of the property. It serves Mediterranean fare, together with pasta and contemporary seafood. The restaurant presents a change of surroundings by giving visitors panoramic views of the Caha Mountains and McGillycuddy Reeks. Friends can contact the concierge to rearrange complimentary transfers.
Actions and Experiences
The property presents actions like fishing, horse driving, clay-pigeon capturing, tennis, archery, ax throwing, family tree consultations, golf, falconry, and extra. The concierge can prepare off-site excursions, too, together with night time kayaking, horse and carriage rides, and whiskey tastings.
The lodge additionally presents complimentary bicycle leases. If you wish to tour the picturesque space on an electrical bike, that may also be organized. If staying on high of your wellness routine is a precedence, visitors can ebook personal yoga courses, both in your room or wherever on the property grounds.
Household-friendly Choices
The property is tremendous child pleasant. Youngsters 7 years of age and older can attempt their hand at falconry with out leaving the premises. It’s a good way for little ones to study winged wildlife in a managed and supervised surroundings. Teenagers (14 and up) interested by archery can train their bow and arrow abilities on property.
One of many widespread off-site choices for youngsters is the chocolate-making workshop. This candy tour permits kiddos to study the artwork of crafting scrumptious melt-in-your-mouth treats that they will eat or take dwelling. This two-hour session led by professional chocolatiers is positioned at Lorge Chocolatier in Kenmare.
The Spa
Easanna Wellness & Spa put me comfy from the second I arrived. The gorgeous pool space has floor-to-ceiling home windows that gaze out at lush greenery. I attempted a breathwork follow with a specialist, and with each exhale, I felt stress depart my physique. The spa additionally presents a various vary of remedies for visitors to decompress together with massages, facials, and even well-being rituals for these present process most cancers remedy.
The spa makes use of merchandise from Seabody, an area skincare firm, for a lot of of their remedies. Friends are additionally welcome to go to the spa amenities even when they do not ebook a remedy. And it is nicely price it; there is a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, leisure room, and health suite.
Location
Sheen Falls Lodge is in Kenmare, County Kerry, which is within the southwestern a part of Eire.
Attending to the realm is usually a little bit of a trek; it is a four-hour drive from Dublin Airport. As an alternative, decide to fly into nearer airports like Kerry Airport (additionally known as Farranfore Airport) or Shannon Airport. Aer Lingus and American Airways has direct flights from Boston Logan Worldwide Airport to Shannon Airport. When visiting Sheen Falls Lodge, I flew into Dublin Airport and left by Shannon Airport, and each had been a breeze.
It’s additionally a five-minute drive to Kenmare, which is a small city chock-full of eating places, bars, boutiques, cafés, galleries, and native outlets. The property supplies complimentary shuttles to city for visitors who need to discover.
Accessibility and Sustainability
The property is wheelchair accessible. It additionally has free, electrical automotive charging stations for visitors to make use of all through their keep.
The way to Get the Most Out of Your Keep
The resort presents a number of methods for visitors to maximise their keep. Packages just like the Sheen Magic features a two-night keep in a collection with waterfall views, full Irish breakfast every morning, an Afternoon Tea for 2, a three-course dinner at The Falls restaurant, and a spa credit score. Additional, the property presents a ten% low cost for many who decide to pay for his or her keep prematurely.