August 08, 2015

Bangor's Hidden Gem for Bountiful, Beautiful Breakfasts

August 08, 2015/ Claire Spence

I say Bangor, but more correctly the Cairn Bay Lodge guesthouse is slightly on round the coast in picturesque Ballyholme. I don't know about fellow Bangor West dwellers, but I often forget there's a beautiful stretch of water with rows of colourful Victorian houses and a beach walk way, just a short drive away on the other side of town.

Recently I've been slowly drip fed these gorgeous photos of kitsch interiors, smashing sea views and the odd picture of a plate of mouth-watering grub, on my Facebook timeline. The account behind these tempting photos was Cairn Bay Lodge, a guesthouse overlooking Ballyholme strand. So Michael and I decided it was time to make a trip over town and visit The Starfish Cafe ourselves!

Parking is free and plentiful on the road outside the Lodge, and the cafe spreads through two rooms, with plenty of seating. We visited at 11am-ish and it was busy, but we had a choice of seats.

The interiors were what tickled my fancy initially to prompt the visit. Absolutely splendid interior design, with taxidermy, fairy lights, prints by my very own logo designer Handdrawn Creative Neal McCullough and retro pieces which give the whole lodge a vintage feel without being tacky or gaudy in the slightest. It's kitsch done the North Down way.

The menu all looks delicious, with lots of seafood and high quality produce sourced locally. I went for French toast with mascarpone, crispy bacon and maple syrup. Michael just wanted some icecream, as he had had breakfast at home. This wasn't on the menu, but they kindly gave him a big bowl of vanilla icecream and only charged me £1. We also had coffee and fresh orange juice. The food was excellent. I was really impressed. If you are local and want a really good quality breakfast, or to impress a visiting guest, The Starfish Cafe at Cairn Bay Lodge is the hidden gem of a eaterie you're after.

For our four items I think we paid around £11.50 that's a little more than breakfast elsewhere, but the produce is very high quality. Next time I visit, probably this week coming, I want to try one of the crab dishes.

I had told the owners on their Facebook that we would be calling so we had a brief chat after eating. They are a lovely couple, who's names I didn't remember, I'm sorry! But I can imagine staying at the Lodge would be just as plesant as eating there.

Porridge option- photo from Cairn Lodge website

J H Lynch & Dallas Simpson prints, photo from Cairn Lodge Website

Menu image from www.nosebagni.com - a local foodie blog worth checking out

July 31, 2015

Holiday in History at Hanna's Close, Kilkeel

July 31, 2015/ Claire Spence

We've certainly stayed in some unique places this summer during our accommodation reviewing season, and our latest location, Hanna's Close Cottages in Kilkeel didn't disappoint either. The exclusive close has ten original buildings, which date back to the 1600s, when the Scottish Hannas settled & farmed right here at the foot of the Morune Mountains. In fact right until today the Hanna Family live along the road from the resort.

Hanna's Close is like a mini version of the Irish Folk & Transport Museum. The ten cottages, which can be viewed and booked online have between one & three bedrooms. We stayed in the Carthouse, a petite, compact cottage with original stone floors & huge open fireplace.

You have all the mod cons you'll need, a full kitchen, bathroom with shower, central heating, tv & wifi, but the interiors still retain their rural charm. The decor, doors, floors and rooms are traditional, which makes you feel like you're comfotably at home staying in one of the folk museum cottages.

As you know I suffer from M.E. so on all our trips this summer, we've turned in quite early, ending up just hanging out and relaxing at where ever we were staying from about 7pm in the evening, and Hanna's Close was a joy for this. We lit a huge roaring fire with the coal, peat, newspaper & matches provided and sat together reading while munching on the wheaten bread they'd kindly left for us to try.

Should you have any problems, the caretakers are simply at the end of the phone. We had a question about the heating and they were able to talk us through it and sorted it out with very little fuss. The weather was atrocious that night, but we slept like babies, and for the other cottages being stayed in also, there was no noise from anyone else. You'll be well rested should you stay at Hanna's!

In the morning it was a little drier, so Michael and I went to investigate the wider area. You can head down to the river, and fish if you are so inclined, or simply walk through the grounds that belong to the Hanna's. Should you be brave enough there are two sets of stepping stones crossing the river, however we chickened out and took the bridges!

We really felt at home during our stay at Hanna's Close, and would recommend staying there especially to those from outside Ireland, for a real old fashioned feel of our country. If you've any questions you can connect with Hanna's on their Facebook page.

(Stay was complimentary for blog review purposes)

July 08, 2014

Our Anniversary Getaway at The Causeway Hotel, Bushmills.

July 08, 2014/ Claire Spence

Last weekend we celebrated seven years being married, and spent a wonderful night away staying at The Causeway Hotel, Bushmills.

Owned in part by The National Trust, this pleasant hotel has the prime location on the North Coast, settled right on the cliff tops, literally a stone's throw from the Giant's Causeway. From the free car park you have views of the world famous landmark, and if you look at the far right of the photo below, you'll see the entrance to the visitor attraction. You really can't stay closer, and as a guest of the hotel you and your family have free entry to the Causeway and centre automatically.

The rooms are airy, spacious, clean and tailored to take advantage of the jaw dropping views. Our room welcomed us with fruit and bubbly, as they knew we were celebrating, a lovely touch.

You may guess for such a prime location you'd pay top dollar. Well I've just checked room prices for this weekend coming and you can stay in a double as a couple for as little as £99 a night.

The best part about the room is that the doors open out onto your very own little outdoor terrace, where you can sit for the evening and chat.

Last summer we attempted a visit to The Giant's Causeway as part of the blogging trip I wrote up for Tesco Living. As soon as we jumped off the little bus the heavens had opened, so we had to scramble back onto the bus and just take in the new visitors' centre instead.

This year we couldn't have planned any better weather. We got the bus down to the stones from the centre, explored them then climbed the 160-something cliff steps to walk back to the hotel along the cliff tops.

Again, this is how close The Causeway Hotel is to the visitor centre. It's in the background, I'm standing on the roof of the centre.

After all that trekking we were pretty hungry, so we drove the ten minute journey to Portstewart and had burgers and ice cream in Morellis. There was also a new doughnut shop along the front.

The day was so beautiful we decided to stock up on snacks and just spend the evening at the hotel. Just beyond the visitor centre is a quaint little country pub called The Nook. We dandered over and had pub chips sitting at one of their outside picnic tables overlooking Port Ballintrae & Portrush beyond. It was so relaxing.

Of course I can't finish a hotel blog without sharing with you their Ulster Fry breakfast! My husband had that and I had pancakes and bacon.

It was definitely the most 'get away from it all' hotel stay I've ever had, and I'm pencilling in a stay for our 8th anniversary next year. It could become a lovely little tradition. Thanks for having us, Causeway Hotel.

August 11, 2013

Tesco Magazine Sent Us on A Great Family Road Trip

August 11, 2013/ Claire Spence

At the beginning of the summer, Tesco Magazine asked me to take my family on a Great Family Roadtrip, a campaign they are promoting all summer to encourage families to explore their surroundings, and further afield.

I already shared with you here our stay in the Bushmills Inn, but you can read my blog for Tesco Magazine on their site here.

I'll be sharing more photos from our adventures in the next few weeks, now that the blog is live over there.

You can also use their Roadtrip planner, wherever you are in the UK.

August 01, 2013

Our Stay at The Bushmills Inn, Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland

August 01, 2013/ Claire Spence

Holidaying 'at home' has become the done thing for families these days & we were lucky enough to be sent on a special mission by Tesco Magazine, to spend three days exploring Northern Ireland's North Coast.

Tesco Magazine are encouraging families all over the UK to hit the road and explore what's on their doorsteps in The Great Family Road Trip.

My tales of adventure will be on the Tesco blog very soon, but in the meantime I'd love to share with you some pictures of the hotel we called home that weekend.

The Bushmills Inn, situated a stone's throw from the world famous distillery of the same name, is a four star luxury home-from-home.

The two storey rooms offer everything you need, and more, with Nespresso Machines and complimentary Elemis toiletries. The staff even left a little Bushmills Inn teddy on my son's bed for him arriving, which pleased him no end. He carried it around all weekend.

The room was the height of luxury, with a shower room and dressing room downstairs, off the sitting area, and a separate bathroom with bath upstairs, and the double bed for us. This was super in the evenings as our tired out five year old could doze off in his bed on the ground floor, and we could sit and watch television without disturbing him, upstairs.

The hotel restaurant was outstanding, both for breakfast and our evening meal. The staff make you feel like royalty, and are knowledgable of the local area and attractions, useful as most of the other guests seemed to be those on golfing holidays. The Causeway Coast has a number of world famous golf courses, as well as world famous natural attractions such as the Giant's Causeway.

I would recommend a stay at The Bushmills Inn in a heartbeat. One of the best hotels I've ever stayed in on my travels. If you are visiting Northern Ireland from another land, make sure you look it up.

September 04, 2012

The Kitschest Hotel in London

September 04, 2012/ Claire Spence

I'm travelling to London again next month, and I scoured the internet for the wildest, kitschest home from home I could find.

The obvious choice is The Pavilion Rock and Roll Hotel. Expect a giddy, excitable full review of my stay in early October here and on Twitter (@rudedoodle).

Check out the other crazy rooms, they are all different, here www.PavilionHotelUK.com