Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Absolute Bliss at 1 Pery Square! Where to Stay in Ireland

light floods in to the beautiful Vanderkiste room
Absolute Bliss!
If you are looking to treat yourself, Limerick's Georgian quarter gem at 1 Pery Square is a great choice! Maybe you hadn't thought about visiting Limerick, but we found that Limerick City was a good base for exploring the West, and is an interesting place in its own right. (As rural folk, we tend to stay in cities on hols- just for the change.) For my birthday we splurged & booked the 2 night Gourmet Getaway package (great value, you get so much!) and every minute of it was wonderful. We took one of the period rooms, the Vanderkiste, which I highly recommend. Staying in such a gorgeous Georgian house it seemed to make sense to pay that little bit extra to stay in one of the period rooms, and it was so worth it!
(Tip: as 1 Pery Square is a listed building there are only stairs to the period rooms.)
Out to the garden terrace, or up the stairs to the period rooms
The room was spacious and beautiful, looked out onto the park, & the bed was incredibly comfy. The roll top slipper bath was inviting, & the excellent shower was large and very powerful. We also loved the peppermint & lavender bath items- natural smelling; not cloying or fake-y. Everything was, of course, scrupulously clean.
The Vanderkiste room, a few of the Drawing room & bar; 1 Pery Square
Dinner: 
Dinner, wine, and after dinner port was included in our package, and we enjoyed every single bite and sip in the lovely dining room. From starter to dessert the food at Pery's Brasserie One was full of fantastic flavour, interesting, and cooked perfectly. The service was superb, never hovering, but always there just as you may need it- attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. In fact, we both agreed that ALL the staff at 1 Pery were incredibly welcoming and helpful.-- the whole team was excellent; genuine and warm. Juan in particular was so helpful at dinner, and assisted my husband the next day at Pery's Wine Shop, picking out some delicious bottles to take home.
Wines from Pery's Wine Shop
Gleaming Clean!
Hubby & I also had the funny experience of coming out of the respective restaurant toilets, looking at each other & hesitantly saying: ''Was that the cleanest restroom you have ever seen??'' I'm not exaggerating- on the night we were there you could have eaten your dinner there-- it GLEAMED! (and, no, we hadn't drank more than a glass of wine yet!) 5 stars for cleanliness, and an extra 6th star because it was so shiny clean :-)
Breakfast
We also had breakfasts included in our package, and once again everything was tasty and service was good. The menu isn't massively extensive like Hayfield Manor's but we had no complaints. I loved the honeycomb with my porridge. (see photo)
Brasserie 1 breakfast & dinner, 1 Pery Square

Bar, & Terrace Patio
One evening we had a drink on the garden terrace, which was a nice little oasis of herbs & plants- very inviting on a mild evening. The next evening was cooler so we had a few drinks in the bar- a cosy spot. Terry had a very tasty pint of Guinness, & I had a lovely French Martini- recommended by Juan as I wasn't sure what I felt like having. We had great chat with Niamh, who was working the bar and connected reception; another example of the excellent staff-- we really felt as if we were guests in her home, not that she was there because it was her job. Wonderful! I think that this is what a small boutique hotel is about- not just stylish rooms and good food, but a genuine, person to person experience.
Spa
Also as part of the package we had use of the thermal suites in the spa. Oh, it was bliss! If I'd realized how beautiful and relaxing this would be we'd have gone loads of times instead of just the day we were leaving. Don't make that mistake! The spa is just gorgeous- candlelit, stone walls, lots of treatments available..you could happily spend ages in it. My absolute favourite of the different thermal rooms on offer was the 'herbal cocoon,' which has a dryer type of heat, and the most gorgeous amber-ish aroma. The showers were once again powerful and enjoyable, and we had a nice chat with lovely Tracy on reception as she showed us what else was available.
Tip: if you are a couple check out the couple packages the Spa have- they are very tempting!
The garden & terrace- perfect for a nice g&t!

We've Found Our Favourite Place To Stay In Ireland!
We fell in love with 1 Pery Square, and recommend it highly. We felt the package we got was quite good value, and that staying in a period room was definitely the way to get the full joy of the place. (Oh, & also there is a lovely drawing room to chill out in- I forgot to mention that!) Additionally, from Pery Square you can easily walk into the the main part of town (abt 10 minutes.) As well as the park, the Limerick Art Gallery is just across the street, & has lovely fresh cakes & more in its cafe, too. We'll be keeping an eye out for 1 Pery Square's package deals, and hope to return to this fabulous, welcoming, boutique hotel!

Where are we staying next? Well, excitingly, I won a Secret Sunday package to Lisloughrey Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo- home of the Quiet Man. I'll let you know how we get on there, in September! 
WhereToStayInIreland WhatToEatInIreland

No comments:

Post a Comment

Have a comment, or tip about Ireland of your own? Please share it here :-) Thanks!