Zetland Country House is in a superb location, but can be difficult to find. Make the effort – it’s well worth it. For anyone using a GPS device, the co-ordinates are 9 degrees 45 minutes 55.7 seconds (9.79546 degrees) West and 53 degrees 24 minutes and 56.2 seconds North (53.41562 degrees) North.

This hotel is definitely not suitable for anyone who wants to be near a cinema, ATM, 24-hour convenience store, McDonalds or other metropolitan creature comforts. However, for anyone who wants a remote, relaxing venue with good food, in a rural setting with plenty of spectacularly wild scenery, walks, rural drives, golf, horse-riding, sea angling – this is the place to be.

The smell of a turf fire permeates the reception areas. If, like me, you find it romantic, evoking images of a bye-gone era (shawl-wearing women draped over a half-door nodding as you drive slowly by), then this is the place to be. There are plenty of half doors to be seen in this area, but the shawl-wearing women, or the cap-wearing, pipe-smoking men are harder to find! The smell of turf is not overbearing – about 100 metres away is the Atlantic Ocean, and fresh air is a commodity that is not in short supply here.

The bed was comfortable, firm and warm. Extra blankets were in the wardrobe. The rooms are generously proportioned, but without mini-bars and broadband – this is about rest, relaxation and gastronomy. For technophiles, there is a Vodafone GPRS signal, but no 3G coverage. Vodafone is the only network that has a signal at Zetland Country House.

There was a good view from our room looking over the bay – as the tide came in and out, the appearance of the bay changed radically, with small islands appearing and disappearing depending on the water level. This changing vista also provides the view from the dining room.

The TV volume is limited in each room – there is no risk of being kept awake by the TV in an adjoining room. Noise insulation is also provided by solid brick walls between the rooms. Although Zetland Country House is on the ‘main’ coast road, traffic noise is nil.

Good food is served, based on fresh local produce, cooked to order, and there are a few good restaurants within a short drive (O'Dowds in Roundstone offers a superb selection fo seafood). The selection on the menu is not extensive – remember this is in a really isolated location – but what it lacks in choice is more than compensated for by the quality and excellent service. The wine list also provides some great choices.

The breakfast menu also offered a smaller choice of food than large hotels, but everything is fresh, and of the highest quality. Tea was served in a tea pot, which contained loose tea-leaves. It really made a difference! Orange juice was real – there were even orange pips in it!

This place is a hidden gem. It's not cheap, but it's worth every cent. I'll be back.

I've stayed at this wonderful location several times - i'm lucky that it is less than 100miles from home. The setting is wonderful - quiet, with the most amazing views of the sea and lovely gardens. the staff are first class - we travel with a toddler and nothing is too much trouble - we ask we get. the public areas are abundant with places to retreat to - open fires - comfortable seating. I find it easy to park the car on friday evening and not want to leave this country house until I have to return home on Sunday afternoon. We spent Christmas here in 2005 and it was a real treat - well worth the money. I would recommmend this location to my family and friends.The owner, Ruairi, is very welcoming. Overall this is a wonderful place to stay a few days and relax and we are very lucky to have found it!

Zetland came highly reccommended by an Irishwoman we met in Dublin while staying at the Merrion there, and for good reason. It sounded like the perfect place to unwind as a family. I have to confess that when we actually arrived at the Zetland, I wanted to turn around and leave as fast as I could! But I could not have been more mistaken about the place. We even checked out the snobby castle/hotel nearby, but decided to stay at Zetland after all. Being the start of winter (December), there were hardly any other guests around. Our rooms were so cold when we arrived! But they put additional heaters by our beds which quickly warmed up the rooms and made us feel at home. The basins decorated with pheasants were a bit hard to take first thing in the morning, but by bedtime I found them so amusing I couldn't help but chuckle at them. Dinner proved to be equal to any top establishment we've dined at in London. Breakfast, while somewhat less imaginitve, was still a plesure. Both our superior room and the dinning room have views out over the water and wild Irish landscape. We were certainly glad to be snuggled up at the Zetland as we watched the rain gently settle over their charming country garden. Kerry seemed to run the place while the owners were away selling their luscious preserves at a market in Belfast, and she did a magnificent job of keeping us happy! Nothing was too much trouble for her. We thought we would be bored to tears there at first. In fact, we relished reading the paper by the communal fire, playing the piano, felt comfortable enough to let our three year old have the run of the house without any fears, have tea, play one of the many games they keep on hand for guests, and yet still be able to tour the area at our leisure. Being an old country house, it has its quirks. There are funny pictures, fake flowers and dried ones in vases all over the place, as well as a lot of chintz in the bedrooms. But these simply add to the character of the place rather than detract from your holiday. The hotel obviously caters to horse riders in the summer, and to hunters/fishers during those seasons. But we were doing nothing of either kind of activity, and still had a great time there. Zetland has a comfortable feel. Don't expect marble bathrooms and swimming pools. Instead, allow yourself to be gently surprised by silver tea service and gourmet meals at the coffee table next to the plaid sofas. You'll have no chice but to relax and forget your cares.