'Three star hotel, five star hospitality' just about sums up Tim and Marion Looney's welcoming hotel, on the western side of Skibbereen town.
Old fashioned in the best possible way, it's at the heart of everything that goes on in the area and enjoys a pleasant riverside site beside the bridge. The main entrance is on the more accessible river side of the hotel, on the way in to the rear carpark, and the spacious foyer has a pleasant seating area which, together with a bright and airy bar, runs along the river side of the hotel providing the perfect place for local people to meet up, and for resident guests to relax.
Bedrooms are not especially large, but they are comfortably furnished in a neutral modern style and have all the necessary amenities (phone, tea/coffee tray, TV) and neat, well-designed en-suite bathrooms. Staff are very friendly and helpful, giving the hotel a homely feeling, so this would make a good base from which to explore this beautiful area. Unless there is further redevelopment along the river, rooms at the back should be quieter and have a pleasant outlook over trees and river.
The hotel is the venue of choice for local events and the function room is also a very pleasant room with river views.
Meals, including breakfast, are served in the modern Kennedy Restaurant which is a popular local dining destination and and well above the standard that might be expected in a hotel.
There's an obvious commitment to local produce, including named suppliers of beef and lamb, and a popular speciality is the all morning breakfast, which is generously available until noon and greatly enhanced by quality ingredients including the outstanding Caherbeg free range pork products, produced down the road at Rosscarbery.
An interesting base for exploring this beautiful area.
