Tucked away in a sylvan setting, well back from the road and with stunning views of Whitepark Bay, Bob and Siobhan Isles's pretty old house as a path down to a beautiful beach just across the road.
Bob, a chatty and well-informed host, welcomes arriving guests to the cosy sitting room - furnished with couches, easy chairs and an extraordinary array of antiques and Asian mementos - where they could easily lose themselves in hours of relaxation at the open fire while indulging in home-made pastries and bottomless cups of perfect tea.
The bedrooms have quite recently been redesigned to allow for en-suite bathrooms, which are gorgeous and thoughtfully designed, some with bath and separate shower; some bathrooms have views too - in one you can even lie in the bath and soak in the beauty of the garden. One front bedroom is exceptionally large and another has windows on three sides. You may be lucky enough to have a four-poster bed and seating area, but all are beautifully decorated with distinctive colour themes and lots of exotic touches to give each its special personality, and there is that warm feeling of being surrounded by a well-loved garden.
There is also a huge and beautifully appointed conservatory at the back, where breakfast is served, and there are comfy couches to relax on at any time. Bob likes to see guests well prepared for the day ahead - there is much to explore, notably of course the beautiful north coast and the Glens of Antrim - and, as a vegetarian, he’s well placed to make a great vegetarian breakfast in addition to a well-tuned rendition of the traditional Ulster Fry.
Most notable of all though is the outstanding hospitality offered. While Siobhán's other commitments mean that she cannot always be there, Bob is an exceptional host, giving guests plenty of space to relax yet ensuring they never want for anything - and the pair have apparently unlimited local knowledge of the area, attractions and restaurants to help you enjoy your stay.
Stylish, cosy, luxuriously comfortable and with Bob's lovely gardens to enjoy in fine weather, this is an exceptional place to stay. A treasure indeed.
