Wow, Wow & Wow, what a place. My wife and I travelled from Texas and based ourselves in Dublin. We had a list of recommendations of places to visit including the Lake District. On our travels and by accident we came across the Park Manor House Hotel in Virginia, County Cavan. On arriving we did not expect to get a room because the Drive, entrance and Golf Course suggested this place must be booked out. Luck would have it that we could be accommodated in what we later found out was the Manor house for one night but if we were agreeable we could have a newly renovated cottage the second two nights located a few yards from the Manor House at the estates Bective court as the hotel was booked out completely. Our initial feeling was one of welcome and our fascination with this charming Hotel encouraged us to take up the offer.

On the outset we were treated politely and the staff went out of their way to welcome us and indeed encourage us to experience the property. On checking in to what was an enormous room with its own balcony we felt right at home. Our fascination got the better of us and we began a tour. The Manor house is very deceiving, much bigger than appearance might suggest, on touring the property we came across a very pleasant guy who welcomed us and was intrigued to learn we were from Texas. He explained the Hotel was owned by Baltimore International College and offered a grand tour. We got to see some of the Manor Houses lake view suites although we already felt we had the Presidential suite. Our tour included the Bridal suite and it felt as if we were stepping back in the 1700’s, what a room, retaining much of its original character. Making are way through the Manor house we stepped into the hotels fine dining restaurant and it was spectacular. I explained we would be staying at Bective court on our second night and our Guide immediately brought us down for a tour. Our amazement just grew, we exited through the back door and were greeted by the site of an amazing fully enclosed courtyard were renovations were taking place. Entering through a grand arch way we saw ten cottages each with original doors and numbered in sequence, the cottages contained new Kitchens, furniture and were unbelievably spacious. The entire courtyard was filled with Hanging plants and in the center was a rose garden in full bloom. Our Guide explained that a new conference facility was being added in 2007 but also explained there were two category of cottage, some being slighly smaller to accomodate smaller families and couples.

Our Guide excused himself after suggesting we look for the walking trails and pointing us in the direction of the Herb and Vegetable gardens and Pleasure gardens, we began to wonder if there was any end to this magnificent estate. We mistakenly decided to eat out on our first night (the village of virginia is beautiful, however stay clear of some of the pubs serving food) On our second night we experienced the Hotels Magnificent Restaurant. To our astonishment the chef made an appearance and it was our Guide. He greeted us again and we asked a wonderful waitress called Patricia who is this Guy and we where informed he is the Managing Director and is involved in every aspect of the estate. Patricia informed us that an enormous amount of restorations and new focus on the business had occurred with the arrival of this Managing Director whom we learned was called Joey, who had spent a year working in Baltimore before being asked to return home to Ireland to take charge of this wonderful estate.

The cottage we were allocated was wonderful and they also have a private Picnic area near by, not having golf clubs, the receptionist “One of the friendliest we ever encountered”, offered to lend us the hotels set. We enjoyed a game of golf at an unbelievable low price of €9, we came across Joey again who was walking the course and he greeted us enquiring how were we enjoying the course and visit, he also pointed us in the direction of the nature trails.

Reading back on my review I felt there had to be something negative and there was! The fact we had to leave. We managed to tour the lakes, witness an unspoilt part of Ireland and stayed at a Hotel that not only retains much of its original character “almost 300 years of it”, but experienced professionalism, not stuffiness and service second to none. Are only regret was missing out on an upcoming Classic Rolls Royce event on the estate. Rarely have we stayed at a hotel were we can remember the names of most of the staff, so thank you to Linda, Veronica, Joey, Patricia, Stephen to name but a few.

Cottages, we feel a little more furnishing would be helpful and the toilet and showers are on the lower floors, it was pointed out that the cottages were a recent addition to the estates amenities and that as feedback come's in, additional features will be added. Toilets are located on the bottom floor because of consideration for elderly guests and people with disabilities. A neat facility is a Guest private picnic area adjacent to Bective Court and the Kitchens and proximity to the village allow guest cater for themselves fully.

John and Deirdre Delany

Texas