Beautifully located, overlooking Ardbear Bay, Stéphane and Monique Bauvet’s family-run hotel is a modest-looking modern building and could easily be passed by - but that would be a mistake, as it well known for quiet hospitality, low-key comfort and good food.
Public areas have style, in a relaxed homely way: turf fires, comfortable armchairs, classic country colours, and a plant-filled conservatory area upstairs are pleasing to the eye and indicate that peaceful relaxation is the aim here.
Bedrooms vary according to their position but are well-furnished with all the amenities required for a comfortable stay. Bedrooms include some extra large rooms, especially suitable for families and there are some single rooms at the back, with a pleasant countryside outlook.
Restaurant:
This long-established restaurant is a well-appointed light-filled room on the first floor, with wonderful sea and mountain views - and a warm reception is sure to set the tone for an enjoyable evening.
Monique Bauvet offers a surprising choice of wide-ranging menus, based on excellent ingredients including home grown organic vegetables and salads, and an extensive choice of local seafood, which may include oysters, mussels, scallops, squid, organic salmon, crab, lobster, and a variety of fish including black (Dover) sole. Meat lovers will find plenty of choice too, including local lamb - a roast rack, perhaps, with crushed celeriac and a red wine jus with rosemary & thyme - along with some poultry and there's always at least one imaginative vegetarian choice.
Cooking is consistently excellent: aside from main dishes, which are well-conceived and expertly executed, delicious home-made breads, well-flavoured soups (including the creamy house chowder), organic vegetables, home-grown salads and home-made ice creams are among the details that stand out, and there is also a good cheese selection, served with grapes, celery and crackers.
Home-made petits fours will follow with your coffee (or tea/tisane). Relaxed service, under the direction of Stéphane Bauvet, contributes to an atmosphere of confident professionalism that greatly enhances a meal here - and so does the bill, which is very reasonable for the standard offered.
A fairly priced wine list strong on old world wines, especially Bordeaux and Burgundy, also has an interesting choice from South Africa and offers some half bottles. After dinner the characterful and comfortable bar is a very pleasant place to retreat to before bed.
Seafood restaurant: seats 55. D 7.15-9.30pm daily, set D €47.50, seafood D €62.50, à la carte also available; house wine €25; sc discretionary.
