Manor House Country Hotel, Fermanagh
As another guest aptly put it, the Manor House Country Hotel is “everything you could want in an hotel so why go anywhere else”. Indeed many of the people that I met there were on their 2nd or 3rd visit and it’s easy to see why. Beautifully situated in pleasant parklands / golf course on a height overlooking Lough Erne, this remarkable property referred to as the ‘yellow house’ since 1664, is just a couple of miles outside of Enniskillen and an easy drive from Belfast (an hour) or Dublin (two).
A perfect mix of old world charm, modernity and hospitality, this delightful period house with elegant plasterwork and sumptuous interiors created by Colonel Irvine in the 19th century blends seamlessly with its modern additions and the friendliness of the staff with their soft northern accents. A real fire in the bright drawing room invites you to sit and enjoy a coffee and read the papers or retreat into the luxurious depths of the residents lounge bar.
Bedrooms are spacious, with extremely comfortable beds and generous pillows (I have a thing about pillows) with good bathrooms, though I never actually got around to watching the TV in the bath! There are two restaurants options which include fine dining in the Belleek Restaurant or less formal in the Cellar Bar Bistro so if you are staying for two nights you will get to sample both. I couldn’t fault either but the meal in the Belleek Restaurant was one of the best I have had anywhere in Ireland, intriguing descriptions such as black pudding bonbons, chicken winglet lollipop, strawberry leather and chocolate soil excited and delighted the taste buds and certainly didn’t disappoint. Indeed I found it very hard to choose and am eagerly looking forward to a return visit to sample those dishes I missed this time around.
And while there certainly is plenty to do and see, out and about in beautiful Fermanagh be sure to include some down time to stroll down to the lakeside, or if you are there during the summertime take a lunch time or sunset dinner cruise (with live music) on the Manor House Country Hotel’s own boat the Lady of the Lake which departs from Inishclare jetty just up the road. Captain and guide Frank is an expert on the lakes and the surrounding area and its local inhabitants and he is not shy of a bit of name dropping re his famous passengers who have all being out on the Lady of the Lake. I would have no hesitation in recommending the Manor House County especially for visitors from abroad or South of the border who have yet to experience the lakelands of Fermanagh.
The Manor House County Hotel are currently offering a ‘Suite Treat’ for Autumn which includes 2 nights accommodation bed and breakfast in a lakeside bedroom suite and one evening meal in the Belleek Restaurant for £119 per person sharing.
For more information about the Manor House County Hotel or to book online please click here.
For more information on Fermanagh please click here.
