Following major redevelopment in recent years, James and Cait Coady's lovely old house - former dower house of the MacMurrough Kavanaghs (Borris House) ) - and a bar on the main street of this pretty village became The Step House Hotel.
It is stylishly decorated and furnished in upbeat period style, with a mixture of antiques and more contemporary touches.
An impressive foyer sets the tone for handsome public areas that include a fine bar, 1808, (where excellent informal meals are served) with attractive terrace, and The Garden Room, a fine banqueting room that opens onto a landscaped garden and can also used at busy restaurant times, perhaps including Sunday lunch.
Comfortable, very spacious bedrooms are elegantly furnished and include some with four-posters - all are furnished to a high standard with amenities including flat screen TV, tea/coffee facilities and lovely bathrooms with separate bath and shower; one room even has two bathrooms, one of which is suitable for wheelchairs.
Banqueting (200); for info on private meetings/events contact hotel directly. Secretarial services; free wifi.
Rooms 20 (1 suite, 2 junior suites, 2 family rooms, 1 disabled, all no-smoking). B&B from about €80 per room. Children welcome (under 8s free in parents room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged, playground). Pets permitted in some areas by arrangement. Fishing, walking, garden. Hotel closed 25 Dec, 3 weeks Jan.
The Cellar Restaurant:
The restaurant is in the kitchens of the old house and, spread through small interconnected rooms with archways and vaulted ceilings, it has great character and a sense of privacy.
With natural lighting, sage green carpet, off white walls, and grape & vine stencils, it is a really pleasant space – and tables are promisingly set up with crisp white linen, smart tableware and fresh flowers.
Under chef Alan Foley there is a longstanding philosophy of using the best local ingredients, organic where possible, in classical cooking. Menus are short but seasonal and mainly based on local ingredients.
The experience overall should be very enjoyable, enhanced by well-trained staff and a short but well-chosen wine list.
