Valentine's Day Deals Around Ireland

Are you stuck for somewhere to bring your loved one this Valentine's Day? Have no fear The Novel Traveller has been seeking out the some romantic deals countrywide and I will list my top three favourites picks on the Midday Show on TV3 this Friday 5th February so watch out for my next post...and the chance to win a special prize!

 - Europa Hotel Belfast - Valentine's Sensation Dinner, 

B&B at the Europa Hotel from £100 pp                                                                                                                        

Celebrate the magic of Valentine’s Day and treat your loved one to a romantic break at the luxurious Europa Hotel, Belfast. At the Europa Hotel we have created a very special range of Valentine’s Day packages that are full of the romance and magic required to help create a memorable occasion for you and your loved one!  The all-inclusive Valentine’s overnight package is valid from Friday 12th February – Sunday 14th February 2016 and includes:
- A romantic dinner for two in the Causerie Restaurant
- A glass of Prosecco on arrival
- A luxurious overnight stay
- Full Irish breakfast in the morning
- Hastings Welcome Love Slate and Love Duck in your room on arrival 

The Lovebomb at The Twelve Hotel


The Twelve boutique hotel in Bearna has a uniquely fun and quirky take on the world. It’s no surprise then that their attitude to romance is as generously dramatic and over the top as their approach to everything else, and the Valentine’s Lovebomb Surprise package from The Twelve is a loved-up treat, packed full of 12 different romantic elements! Beginning first with a gorgeous suite, with petals strewn across the bed and bubbles beside it, there are also two boldly red iced muffins from the Pins Bakery, a delicious packed picnic perfect for a romantic stroll inclusive of a bottle of pink prosecco, a candle-lit dinner in lovely West, pampering in-room spa treatments, Love Potion cocktails in The Pins bar, a discount gift voucher for Hartman’s Jewellers (just in case the need to drop to one knee suddenly presents itself!), a wrapped rose on checkout… And number 12 of the romantic notions squeezed into this Lovebomb package? Well that’s the wonderful Twelve itself and all that it entails! The Lovebomb package is available on February 13^th or 14th at a cost of €470 per couple, with the option of staying two nights for an extra €140 per couple.

The Twelve Hotel
Bearna Village
Galway
Tel: 091 597000


www.thetwelvehotel.ie

-La Mon Hotel & Country Club - All You Need is Love B&B from £69pp

Treat your loved one to a little extra with an overnight stay at La Mon...All you need is love and we will provide the rest. Check into your Deluxe Bedroom which is dressed with rose petals on your king size bed and a treat of La Mon bubbly with chocolate covered strawberries to compliment. After some time relaxing or dining in the hotels facilities return to your room where your bed has been turned down and curtains drawn for the evening. Next morning enjoy a full cooked breakfast in bed at your leisure before checking out at 2pm. The perfect treat for your special someone.
http://www.lamon.co.uk/

- City Hotel Derry – Valentine’s Overnight Package of £140 per couple

·         Celebrate the magic of St Valentine and treat your loved one to a romantic break in the Walled City of Derry. This special offer includes overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast, a candlelit dinner, a bottle of bubbly and chocolates in your room on arrival for £140 based on 2 guests sharing. Relax and enjoy our Health & Fitness club with swimming pool, gymnasium, Jacuzzi and steam room. Upgrade to one of our Superior rooms for £15 supplement per night or a Junior Suite or Executive room for an extra £50 per room per night. Live music in Coppins Bar on Fridays and Saturdays.

http://www.cityhotelderry.com/index.html

Enjoy a Starry-Eyed Break with your loved one this Valentines at 

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa

Enjoy a twinkling, sparkling, starry break with your loved one this Valentine’s at Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa. The stunning setting of Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa overlooking the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean and beautiful beach of Inchydoney, makes the perfect romantic backdrop in itself for your Valentine’s break, and the good folks at the hotel have added in plenty of extras to ensure an unforgettable getaway: A beautiful guestroom with your own private balcony with sea views; A candlelit dinner in The Gulfstream Restaurant overlooking Inchydoney beach; An evening kayaking adventure together under starlight in Lough Hyne; a Diamond and Gold Skin Revival Facial for the ladies and a Sensual Elemis Back Massage for the gents as well as Afternoon Tea for two. This break costs from €359 per person sharing.

There’s plenty more to do in the hotel – snuggle up in the lounge with a drink in front of the fire, take a walk hand-in-hand on the beach, or enjoy a swim in the heated seawater pool and allow the jets and bubbles to massage your muscles. Inchydoney is a place for people who value time together, so let it work its magic on you and you’re both sure to leave starry-eyed.

·      2 nights bed and breakfast in a guestroom, with a private balcony overlooking Inchydoney beach

·      Candlelit dinner in The Gulfstream Restaurant

·      Starlight kayaking with Atlantic Sea-kayaking

·      Afternoon Tea for two people

·      Diamond and Gold Skin Revival Facial for the ladies and a Sensual Elemis Back Massage for the gents

·      From €359 per person sharing www.inchydoneyisland.com

Delphi Resort a destination for romance

this Valentine’s Day

A truly unique place, set amongst some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery, Delphi Resort is one of Ireland’s most stunning venues. With incredible views across the surrounding landscape and a beautiful property etched into the picturesque mountains, Delphi Resort invites couples to spend some quality time together away from all the distractions of modern living, in truly breath-taking surroundings.

This Valentine’s Day treat your special someone to a romantic escape, they’ll never forget. Enjoy a one or two night stay in one of the beautiful bedrooms overlooking the majestic Mweelrea and Twelve Bens mountain ranges.  Spend your day hand in hand exploring the landscape, unwind together in the luxurious Delphi Spa with a range of luxurious VOYA treatments to choose from while taking in sweeping views of the landscape from the relaxation room or simply cosy up together in front of the fire over a crossword. Home to delicious dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, make some memories over a 3 –course dinner by candle light in the hotel’s 814 Brasserie or for an added €15 per person treat yourself to a unique dining experience with a  5-Course meal in The Chef's Table by Stefan Matz.

Nestled among the beautiful Delphi Valley, within 300 acres of forest, from the moment you arrive at Delphi Resort, you’ll feel as if it is just the two of you. Romance will be in the air with a trail of romantic gestures from Delphi Resort including a red rose on your pillow, delicious chocolates and luxurious robes and slippers laid out in your room. With complimentary late check out, you can savour your romantic escape for a little longer!

http://www.delphiadventureresort.com/

Valentine's Day Deals from Dublin...Fly to Lisbon, Paris and Prague.

Would you like to whisk your loved one off to one of Europe's favourite capitals for Valentine's Day? The ITAA have some great offers so snap them up quickly!

One of my favourite cities in the world
and possibly the most romantic
Perfect for Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day Deals

This week we have rounded up a selection of the best offers available

Luxury Valentine’s Break in Lisbon, 3 nights, 12^th to 15^th February, from €226 pps

Treat the one you love this Valentine’s Day with a luxury romantic break in Lisbon. Spread across steep hillsides, overlooking the River Tagus, the city of Lisbon has something on offer for all its visitors. With its Roman and Moorish ruins, white-domed cathedrals, narrow cobblestone lanes and grand plazas with sun-drenched cafes, it is the perfect place to plan a romantic getaway.

Take a tram up and down the steep hillsides, try some delicious freshly baked Pasteis de Natain (custard tarts) in Belem or listen to fado singers perform in Alfama's back streets. Portugal’s capital is the perfect mix of old and new, with it combination of beautifully maintained ruins and new bohemian bars, and is set to be a top city destination for 2016.

Price includes: 4* Accommodation and Return Flights. T&Cs apply. Subject to availability.

For more information on this deal available from Travelnet.ie visit:

http://itaa.ie/2016/01/27/valentines-break-lisbon

Sintra is a short bus ride from Lisbon and well worth a visit as a Unesco Heritage site.

Take a trip out to the Devil's Mouth only a short
 walk from the beautiful seaside town of Cascais

 

I love Lisbon here I am with Fernando Pessoa one of Portugal's best regarded writers!
He can be seen outside the famous coffee house A Brasiliera

Valentine’s City Break in Prague, 2 nights, 12^th – 14^th February, from €279 pps

ClickandGo.com has the perfect Valentine’s Gift for the special person in your life with this city break to Prague. Located right in the heart of Europe, Prague has been considered as one of the most beautiful cities in the world since the Middle Ages. With its impressive architecture, magnificent cuisine and bohemian art scene, it is a diverse and vibrant city.

Under a minute's walk from a tram station, the stately, art nouveau style 4* Union Praha hotel is just around the corner from Charles Bridge and a short walk from Vyšehrad castle. It is the perfect spot from which to discover the city’s labyrinth of winding streets, majestic chapels, colourful markets and quiet bars. From the moment you cross the impressive Charles Bridge or step into the beautifully preserved Old Town Square, you are sure to fall in love with this amazing city.

Price includes:  2 nights’ accommodation with breakfast inclusive and flights

For more information on this deal available from ClickandGo.com visit:

http://itaa.ie/2016/01/26/valentines-break-prague

 If you do decide to go to Paris then make time for The Bateaux Parisiens for an unforgettable dining experience and great views

Valentine’s Day in Paris, 2 nights, 12^th – 14^th February, from €399pp

Escape to one of the most romantic, stylish and exciting cities in the world this Valentine’s Day. Hugging the banks of the River Seine, each district is distinct with a unique atmosphere and share of interesting attractions. From the medieval charm of Le Marais to the bohemian Left Bank, the quaint artists’ quarter of Montmartre to the ultra-fashionable Saint-Germain-des-Près, the blend of ancient and modern in this beautiful city is seamless.

From your base in the 3* Grand Hotel du Havre, discover the classical paintings of the Louvre, enjoy candlelit drinks in one of the many wine bars or take a boat ride along the Seine at sunset. The opportunities for romance in the City of Love are endless.

Price includes: 2 nights’ accommodation (room only) and return flights from Cork

For more information on this deal available from Dawson Travel visit:

http://itaa.ie/2016/01/27/valentines-break-paris

Other travel deals:

For more great travel deals check out - www.itaa.ie/offers

Royal Caribbean are teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund

It's good to see a travel company working with the environment. This is a positive step in sustainable tourism. Well done Royal Caribbean!

The partners will set measurable and achievable sustainability targets that will reduce Royal Caribbean’s environmental footprint, raise awareness about ocean conservation among the company’s more than five million guests, and support WWF’s global oceans conservation work. 

The targets announced today focus on supply chain sustainability and emissions reductions through 2020. Royal Caribbean and WWF are also working together to develop targets aimed at strengthening the company’s sustainable sourcing strategy and its destination stewardship and sustainable tour operations platforms.

“Our mantra at Royal Caribbean is ‘Continuous Improvement,’ and this partnership with WWF represents a great opportunity to make a big step forward in meeting our special responsibility to protect the oceans,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “It is also gratifying to see that our determination to make a meaningful difference is shared by our employees and our guests. This new partnership aligns all of us at RCL with WWF’s mission to conserve the world’s oceans. Together we are setting aggressive goals and together we will start implementing them right away.”

“The threats that are facing the ocean are greater than ever – in the last 30 years, some ocean wildlife populations have declined by nearly 50 percent. If we are going to reverse the downward trends, we must take serious steps to repair, restore and protect the oceans,” said Carter Roberts, WWF-US President and CEO.

“This initiative centres on two core concepts: first, committing to specific and measurable targets to reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainable sourcing and build destination stewardship; and second, comprehensively engaging their millions of travellers to learn about the ocean and then act to help save it."

Royal Caribbean Cruises and WWF jointly developed new 2020 environmental sustainability targets for the company that include:

Carbon Emissions 2020 Target:

·         Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020.

Sustainable Seafood 2020 Target

·         Responsibly source 90% of its wild-caught seafood by volume from MSC certified sustainable fisheries, fisheries in full assessment for MSC certification, comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), and/or sourced from International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA) member companies.

·         In North America and Europe operations, responsibly source 75% of its farmed seafood by volume from ASC certified responsible farms, farms in full assessment for ASC certification, and/or comprehensive aquaculture improvement projects.

·         In addition, by June 30, 2016, RCL will set specific traceability goals with targets for obtaining MSC and ASC chain of custody.

In addition, Royal Caribbean and WWF have agreed to develop and announce new targets by June 30 that will address destination stewardship. As part of this, WWF and RCL will collaborate to strengthen RCL’s destination sustainability assessment and selection process.

Royal Caribbean also will financially support WWF’s global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution during the partnership, and will collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among its millions of passengers.

The organisations made their announcement at an event in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines that is home to a model community-based ecotourism program. At the event, RCL also made a separate, $200,000 donation to WWF Philippines in support of conservation programs in the Donsol area.

Short Break ideas to the USA with Tour America

Short Break ideas to the USA with Tour America

It's that time of year when the January Blues set in and summer seems too far away. That's why a short break can sometimes lift the spirits in more ways than one. It can even be educational as I found when I took my son to Boston recently. I've been sent some really good deals and great ideas for packages to Washington, New York and Boston. I've been to all three of these cities with my son and they each have so much to do with teens and tweens - food for thought for a mid-term break too!

On Top of the Rock in New York with my tween boy in 2013
See www.nycgo.com

Washington when Mark was the same height as me
www.washington.org

My boy has grown so much but he still likes to get away with his mum!
www.massholidays.ie

Go to the Tour America website to see more package deals and ideas

www.touramerica.ie Dublin on 01 8173500 or Cork on 021 242 9222
Boston 3 nights March €795New York 3 nights February €679 Washington 3 nights February €609


Tour AmericaBoston & Salem from €795 per person
Includes
Direct return flights with Aer Lingus to Boston, All taxes and charges
2 Nights accommodation Hilton Boston Back Bay
1 Night accommodation Salem Waterfront Hotel
Date of departure: March 2016
Our reference: 501490

New York fr€679 per person
Price Includes
Return direct flight from Dublin - JFK with Aer Lingus
3 Nights accommodation The Hotel Metro including free continental breakfast
Based on 2 sharing
Date of departure: 26 Feb 2016
Our Ref: 504003

Washington fr€609 per personPrice Includes
Return direct flight from Dublin - Dulles  with United Airlines
3 Nights accommodation The Embassy Row Hotel
Based on 2 sharing
Date of departure: 26 Feb 2016
Our Ref: 504008

Boston Mum and Son trip!

Boston ticked all the boxes for our perfect mum and son bonding trip. 

Education is a hot topic in our house with the Junior Cert Exam looming for my son next June. I'm a believer that nothing broadens a young mind better than travel and use this mantra to justify taking him away from his books for a few days.

Boston is a city that has grown into itself culturally and aesthetically since the big dig twenty years ago. When the clever city planners decided to put the busy highways in tunnels under the city, they left a beautiful mile-long stretch of parkland running through its heart and dedicated it to Rose Kennedy, the ex-president's mother. Across from the financial district on what used to be a parking lot is the city's rejuvenated district and our hotel for the next two nights, the Envoy. A smooth glass exterior surrounds a very cool and hip place to stay, with one of only three roof top bars in the city. Our room is spacious and trendy just like the rest of the hotel and one of my favourite features is the usb charger in the wall! With a huge shower and Netflix on the smart TV my son, Mark, gives the room the thumbs up too. Breakfast in the Envoy is a real treat and we opt for the Lobster Benedict and Maple Pancakes both mornings. See www.theenvoyhotel.com

We spend our first night in Boston at The Charles Theatre to see The Blue Man Group. Each performance involves a variety of media entertainment including art, music and mime. It's perfect for kids of all ages. The show moves quickly and there isn't a dull moment, especially at the climactic ending when giant size balloons and confetti fall on to the audience. For more information see www.blueman.com/boston.

We wake early next morning and head for the Boston Tea Party Ship for our first lesson. Our guide, Mr Condy, wears full period costume from this key time in eighteenth century American History that eventually led to the declaration of American Independence. Mark nods nonchalantly as we are invited to partake in a meeting with Samuel Adams who protests about the taxes on tea. "We did this in history a couple of weeks ago," he says. We move from the museum on to the schooner 'The Beaver' where the kids get to throw the box of tea overboard in a re-enactment of the Tea Party which involves shouting 'huzzah' and banging our feet on the deck. I hope that this period of American history is now firmly etched in Mark's memory before his exams next summer. See www.bostonteapartyship.com for more details.

Travelling with a teen I sense it's time to do something more active. At Urbanadventours on Atlantic Avenue, we are provided with helmets, water and bicycles. Our guide, Greg, takes us in a small group of five around the rim of the North End. We cycle past the new flagship Converse world headquarters, and the TD Gardens where the city's Basketball and Hockey teams play. Boston is a maritime city and the Charles River meets the Atlantic at a damn which was built to maintain the water level of the river. 

It's lined with an incredible array of trees that turn every colour of yellow, gold, burnt orange and red in the autumn. The pathway is flat making it easy for me to keep up with Mark and bringing us past college boat houses and more reminders of the city's foundation on education.

As we pull up at Fenway Park, Greg tells us that Baseball is a religion with most Bostonians. The effigies of four famous Red Sox players stand at the stadium gates and I ask Mark if maybe he's going to be a sports star. He just grunts at me! We set off again along the city's Emerald Necklace − a green area in the centre of the city where locals tend to their vegetables and sit in private allotments rented from the city.

Before the tour is over we ride past the Museum of Fine Art which houses the largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Reluctantly we pass by as Mark didn't take art as an option but even he's impressed by the graffiti and street art. In the distance, the John Hancock building is decorated with a gigantic art installation by French artist JR. A man stands on the edge of a pontoon and looks like he is about to jump into the blue skyscraper which amuses passersby.

I'm saddle sore by the time we reach Boston Common but Mark has enjoyed every bit of this excursion. We dine in the North End after returning our bikes and step into little Italy. Antico Forno is a well established restaurant and perfect for kids with everything from pasta, pizza and speciality dishes that include fresh seafood.

Next day we set off on The Freedom Trail, a self guided trek through the city's historic buildings and sites marked out by red bricks along the footpath, we deviate as we come to Quincy Market food hall. Mark salivates as we pass the food stalls and we settle for a bowl of Boston Chowda − spelt phonetically − this delicacy is a favourite for locals and visitors. Faneuil Hall has been a market and meeting place since the mid 1700's but these days top brands like Abercrombie and Fitch and Urban Outfitters can be found nearby. The Freedom Trail is a great way to walk through Boston and The Paul Revere house, the oldest in the city, is worth a stop off. Paul Revere was made famous by Longfellow's poem describing his historic ride from Concord to Boston to warn the revolutionaries that the British troops were coming.

Mark is showing signs of 'history overload' so I decide that it's time to catch up on Science. We take the T, Boston's over and underground train system to our next stop, The Museum of Science. Currently Disney Pixar are showing a new exhibit that will inspire any young animator or film maker, while a budding meteorologist or pilot will be enthralled in the west wing.

Harvard University is only a fifteen minute ride away and at the risk of being a pushy mum I insist that we take the 'Hahvad Tour' (again spelt phonetically), given by current Harvard Students. Our guide tells us secrets about the naughty rites-of-passage carried out by the college fraternities and advises us not to touch the toe of the John Harvard statue which is frequently rubbed for good luck by tourists as it's more frequently used as a toilet at night. At $9.99 this tour is good value and a great way to walk through the college grounds.

Quirky Russian chapel in Salem

I take Mark to Salem for our last night. This quirky bewitched town, where even the cop cars sport witches emblems, is only a thirty minute train ride from Boston. Made infamous by the witch trials of 1692 where twenty innocent people were put to death for witch craft, Salem has been a source of intrigue for writers for centuries. We stay at the Salem Waterfront Hotel which has a small and cosy swimming pool. It is also next to the delicious Fin's restaurant which offers incredible seafood.

Next day we take the Trolley Tour to get our bearings and pass the House of the Seven Gables, made famous by author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is impossible to avoid references to the Witch Trials so we go to the Salem Witch Museum to get the full story. Re-enactments of the trials can be seen at the Witch Dungeon and even on the main street. Everything is close by in this pretty town with fine examples of federation houses and brownstones − each labelled with a date and name of the original owner. This is America where the smell of apples and cinnamon resonates through the wooden eaves of the buildings.

Don't leave Salem without eating in Turner's restaurant which also has an interesting story and great food.

There is only one more thing to do before we leave this centre of mystic and magic. My son has his palm read and is told to keep up the guitar lessons as they will make him famous some day. Delighted with the news of my son's impending fortune we return to Dublin with my mind at ease and consider that maybe he isn't going to need straight A's in the Junior Cert after all!

Fact box

For information on things to do in Boston and Massachusetts see www.massholiday.ie

Flights

Aer Lingus, the smart airline, operates two flights per day from Dublin to Boston with fares starting from €249 each-way including taxes and charges. Flights from Shannon operate daily with fares starting from €209 each-way including taxes and charges. For more information visit aerlingus.com

Packages

Tour America
4 nights in Boston from only €599pp. Price Includes: Return flights with all taxes & 4 nights 3* accommodation. Based on 4 sharing. Travel January 2017. Reference 511489. Visit www.touramerica.ie or call 01-8173562. or Cork on 021 242 9222

Amazing January deals from Expedia to get 2016 off to a great start!

Winter weather getting you down? Plan a cheeky January getaway and soak up some winter sun with these great deals from Expedia.ie

Book in a sun holiday in January and start 2016 off on the right foot with great options from Expedia.ie for sun holidays around the world depending on how far you want to get from home!

Andy Washington from Expedia.ie suggests taking advantage of low season deals; “January is a great time to go on holidays as most hotels and airlines have better deals in their least busy season. Couple this with the savings you make when you book your flight and hotel together as package through Expedia.ie, and you can save and spend your money in amazing activities while on holiday” 

Option 1: Miami, Florida south-beach-miami click here to see video

Return flights for two adults and a seven night stay in the 4-star Surfcomber Kimpton Hotel start from €1724 per person, including taxes and fees, a saving of €484 altogether when you book this flight and hotel together through Expedia.ie. For this deal fly from Dublin to Fort Lauderdale, via New York JFK on Friday 15^th January 2016, returning on Monday 23rd January 2016.

Option 2: Arrecife, Lanzarote

Return flights for two and a six night stay in a 5-star Hotel Volcan Lanzarote from €508 per person, including taxes and fees, a saving of €50 per person when you book this flight and hotel together through Expedia.ie. For this deal fly from Dublin direct to Arrecife on Saturday 23^rd January, returning on Friday 29^thJanuary.

Option 3: Pattaya, Thailand

Return flights for two and a six night stay in the 5-star Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya start from €705 per person, including taxes and fees, save €60 per person when you book this flight and hotel together through Expedia.ie. For this deal fly from Dublin Airport to Bangkok via London Heathrow with on Friday 15^th January 2016, returning on Friday 22nd January 2016.

The Charlemont - An Exciting New Place to Eat in Dublin

Charlemont Bar & Bistro is the latest addition to the Dublin food and drink scene, located overlooking the canal on Charlemont Place. Following an almost €1m investment that has created two settings brought together by the common themes of design, style and vibe.

OUTDOOR TERRACE

Charlemont also features a canal-facing outdoor terrace, which is walled and lined with mature shrubs and for which general manger, Paul Flavin, expects high demand due to the paucity of good outdoor dining spaces in the capital and in spite of Ireland’s inclement climate.

Whilst Charlemont is part of Hilton Dublin, Paul Flavin explains how it has been designed as a stand- alone bar and bistro to appeal to new audiences. “One of the features that we feel will attract visitors to Charlemont is that it can be accessed from street level.   Obviously we hope that hotel guests will enjoy Charlemont Bar & Bistro but we really want to offer an experience that is somewhat separate from the hotel, creating an ambience and environment that will tempt people  who might not traditionally consider a night out in a hotel bar.  Charlemont is different and we think that anyone dropping by will be pleasantly surprised,” said Paul.

Charlemont was designed by Dublin interior architecture and design company Millimetre Design, which was involved in all aspects of the fit-out from interior architecture, design, procurement and project management.

PHASE ONE TRANSFORMATION

Both the bar and bistro were designed using materials such as rich stained oaks, dura stone and antique mirrors and colours such as dark powder blues and warm beiges.  The new sophisticated look and feel gives a new edge to the front of the property and is the first phase of a major capital investment programme at Hilton Dublin.  Phase two will see a full bedroom refurbishment.

“This really is a new chapter for us and the timing feels absolutely right,” said Paul Flavin. “There is a buzz around the city centre that extends into great spots such as Ranelagh, Rathmines, Rathgar and Donnybrook and we are really well positioned between them all.  We have a great new offering and a brilliant and committed team and we hope that people like what we do, because we are loving doing it.”

THE MENUS

Executive chef, Alan Brady has placed an emphasis on great quality ingredients done simply and done well and the provenance of the ingredients is paramount to his menu design.

Charlemont’s menus include fresh Kilkeel mussels, Chulchoill goat’s cheese and Kilmore Quay scallops.  Its beef is from nearby Clonee and the sharing cheeseboard includes Wicklow blue, smoked Gubeen, Tipperary brie and Cooleeny.

Lunchtime salad choices, which are priced from €12 include quinoa & avocado with soya beans, broccoli florets, baby spinach, pumpkins and a citrus vinaigrette; poached pear & feta with caramelised walnuts, red onion, arugula and cherry vinaigrette or a smoked trout and beetroot salad with horseradish and dill dressing.  

Guests can also enjoy Gorgonzola & walnut ravioli; gourmet burgers or a selection of sandwiches including pan fried wild mushroom & thyme focaccia or poached salmon & dill.

The sharing platters are already proving popular and priced from €15 include an Antipasto of Milano salami, pastrami, Serrano ham, sundried tomatoes, marinated olives and rustic bread or a seafood platter of calamari tempura prawns, fish fritters and citrus aioli and a sweet sesame and soy dressing

The evening menu includes seared Procanar duck breast served with wilted greens, mange tout, sweet potato puree and a crème de cassis jus (€22) and pan fried sea bream with broad beans, asparagus and new potatoes (€23).

THE DRINKS

The good news for lovers of wine is that there are a dozen wines available by the glass, with prices starting at €6.50 for a crisp Australian Chardonnay (The Pick) or a fruity Spanish (Marques De Plata).  Charlemont’s Champagne is the delicious Pannier and the wine list extends to include a selection that will appeal to different palettes or occasions including:

• Domaine Del Sol, Picpoul, 2013 (France) €8.50 / €30
• Peter Schweiger, Gruner Veltliner, 2013 (Austria) €38
• Lupe Cholet, Chablis, 2012 (France) €42
• The Edge, Pinot Noir, 2010 (New Zealand) €38
• Don David, Malbec, 2011 (Argentina) €9 / €33
• Il Bucco, Montepulciano, 2013 (Italy) €8 / €26

Cocktails are a house speciality and reasonably priced from €8. The cocktail list includes classics such as Espresso Martini, Mojito and Cosmopolitan and each week the bartenders will devise a Charlemont Surprise, which, this week is an Autumn Whisper made with Chivas Regal, 12 year old Grand Marnier and ginger ale.

Charlemont is open seven days a week from 7.00am serving food until 10.00pm.  Reservations are not essential but for enquiries telephone 01 4029988, check out Charlemont on Facebook or on Twitter at @The_Charlemont