Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt
Some say Dublin is the city of weather. You can get all four seasons in one day. Leon Uris even titled one of his books IRELAND; A TERRIBLE BEAUTY probably because the constant rain and cool weather makes things so lush.
Irish (or Gaelic) is the official or some would say first language but in fact everyone speaks English. Gaelic is taught from first through sixth grade and then soon forgotten.
The Ritz-Carlton is located on the old Powerscourt estate approx 25 miles from Dublin city center. The hotel has 200 rooms, 124 of which are suites. We are in a small one bedroom suite with a lovely view of Sugar Loaf Mountain. It’s wonderful here. Just a couple hundred yards away from the hotel is Powerscourt Gardens, covering 47 lush and stunning acres, which are world renown and rightly so.
This is the first and only Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Ireland and is home to two golf courses.
There is lots to do for families with kids especially during the Christmas and Easter holidays. Regular activities include croquet, horseback riding, miles of hiking and jogging trails, a first class spa, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, cycling, falconry, fly fishing, a charming and secluded river walk to Ireland’s largest waterfall, and of course world class dining.
Photo courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt
Specifically for the kids is the games and activities room, a happy camper program with a tent set up in the comfort and safety of Mom and Dads room, A night at the movies (a little kids cinema with age appropriate movies) and of course Princess for a day with a costume and your own visit to the spa to have your nails painted. Did I mention check in? They have a special podium “Ritz Kids check in area” where your kid is face to face with the front desk person who tells them all the activities that will be available to them during their stay.
If you want to go into Dublin, just 20 miles away there are museums and tours of Guiness brewery, Jameson Distillery, Trinity College and of course the Wickelow Gaol.
Wi-fi is free in the hotel and the concierge even has several tablet computers for guest use during their stay here in the hotel– That was a first for me and I love this feature.
The kids can play games and Mom and Dad can check email and other business they need to attend to.
If you want a luxury and secluded place to stay while in Dublin, This would be a good choice.
In 2011 They won 2 awards at the Conde Nast 2011 Johansens awards for excellence.
More information:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Powerscourt/Childrens/Default.htm
Larry Berle is a travel writer who writes on many travel topics but specializes in golf travel. He is author of A GOLFERS DREAM: HOW A REGULAR GUY CONQUERED THE GOLF DIGEST LIST OF AMERICAS TOP 100 GOLF COURSES. Learn more about his book at www.GolfersDreamBook.com and from there you can also access his travel blog.
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