I've just spent a couple of nights at Beckett's while on business at a nearby company. I booked it on the basis that it was close and reasonably well-priced, but didn't have particularly high expectations of the hotel.

I was very pleasantly surprised by what I found. Becketts is a small hotel (only 10 rooms across two floors) with a large and deservedly popular restaurant.

The hotel itself is just outside Leixlip (about 10 miles from Dublin), in an elegant 18th century house where Samuel Beckett's mother was born.

The rooms are smallish, but nicely furnished. Bathrooms are tiny, with room only for a shower rather than a bathtub, but furnishings generally are modern and classy with a large double bed even in the 'single' rooms.

What really makes Beckett's is the staff. The front-of-house team led by Michelle were all friendly, approachable and helpful, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that was just right after a hard day's... more