Cliff House Ardmore: Best Spa Break in Ireland Offers Michelin Dining

Cliff House Ardmore is ranked as one of the best spa breaks in Ireland.

The luxury boutique hotel and destination spa is located on Ireland’s southern coast, a short one hour drive from Waterford or Cork.

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Cliff House Ardmore

Fáilte Ireland recently included Ardmore on a shortlist of Ireland’s top tourist towns. The quaint seaside village is famously home to Ireland’s only hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant: The House at Cliff House Ardmore.

Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore stands out against Ireland’s choir of luxury hotels for its jaw-dropping location and otherworldly design. The resort’s architect is truly extraordinary, bravely building the hotel directly into the side of a windswept cliff.

Skip around the property and you’ll find your jaw constantly dropping. From the bar and outdoor terrace, to the restaurant, spa and you’re very own luxurious guest room, there’s always a postcard-perfect view of Ardmore Bay.

Boasting direct access to the sea, Cliff House Ardmore offers a selection of outdoor adventure activities, such as ocean kayaking, surfing, whale watching, fishing and rock climbing. There are also many beaches nearby worth exploring or you can hike to St. Declan’s Well along the famous Ardmore Cliff Walk.

The hotel also holds one of the largest collections of 18^th Century Campaign furniture in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The furniture was originally brought to war by the Army Generals in the past.

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Luxury Accommodation

Considered one of the best small luxury five-star hotels in Ireland, Cliff House Ardmore features just 39-rooms. The privately owned boutique hotel seems to defy gravity, clinging to a cliff on the south side of Ardmore Bay. From sun-drenched terraces and private balconies guests can enjoy Ardmore’s golden sands, lobster pots and dolphins that seem to offer friendly waves and winks from the sea.

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Each of Cliff House Ardmore’s luxury rooms and suites are sea facing while many are interconnected to provide family-friendly configurations. Suites features wingback armchairs covered in Donegal tweeds, positioned by the floor-to-ceiling glass doors. There’s a small dining table inside and outside, as well as a desk area, fridge and tea and coffee making facilities.

Between the bedroom and bathroom, the wall is made of semi-transparent glass, soaking the space in sunlight. Spacious bathrooms feature oversized baths sitting on raised platforms and powerful rainforest showers. Luxurious toiletries are by Anne Semonin.

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Room Categories

Rooms are elegantly decorated, with statement artwork on the walls, large, flat-screen TVs and fireplaces in both the bedroom and living area, and plump, soft sofas and armchairs.

• Deluxe Sea View: 1 King or 2 twin beds – From 340sqft. Floor to ceiling glass window overlooking Ardmore Bay. Located on the hotel’s top floor so it feels like you are on a cruise liner, except you won’t get sea sick! En-suite bathroom with shower and bath.
• Deluxe Balcony Room: 1 King or 2 twin beds – From 340sqft. Outdoor glass balcony of approximately 80sqft. Sea view overlooking Ardmore Bay. En-suite bathroom with shower and bath.
• Deluxe Terrace Room: 1 King or 2 twin beds – 340sqft. Outdoor terrace of approximately 80sqft. Sea view overlooking Ardmore Bay. En-suite bathroom with shower and bath.
• Balcony Suite: 1 King or 2 twin beds – From 497sqft. Each Suite has two private balconies of approximately 80sqft. Sea view overlooking Ardmore Bay. En-suite bathroom with shower and stone standalone bath.
• Terrace Suite: 1 King or 2 twin beds – From 463sqft. Each suite has two private outdoor terraces of approximately 160sqft. Sea view overlooking Ardmore Bay. En-suite bathroom with shower and stone standalone bath.
• Cliff Veranda Suite: 1 King or 2 twin beds – 727sqft. Separate sitting room for lounging in. Decorated with countryside furniture. Expansive outside veranda of 432sqft with sun loungers, table and chairs overlooking Ardmore Bay.
• Cliff Cottage: 3 Bedroom Cottage with total size of 1.819sqft. Kitchen, dining and living areas and two bathrooms. One double room en-suite and one double room and one twin room. Fully equipped kitchen.

Cliff House Ardmore Spa

Ranked as one of the best spa breaks in Ireland, guests at Cliff House Ardmore can enjoy a plethora of soothing panoramic views. Looking to enjoy an unforgettable Irish wellness retreat? Cliff House Hotel’s destination spa, The Well by the Sea, offers an expansive space to restore your spirit both indoors and outdoors.

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The spa’s indoor facilities include a 15-metre infinity pool, The Well’s centrepiece. The floor-to-ceiling windows and ocean views create a sense of limitless space, as if the pool splashes directly into the Irish Sea. You’ll also find a Swedish sauna, scented steam room and four treatment rooms – including a romantic couple’s treatment room. A small, fully-equipped fitness room features a cross trainer, running machine and exercise bike.

Skip outside and you’ll find a natural outdoor rock pool, which can be enjoyed at full tide, for the more adventurous spa guests. If a quiet soak is more your thing, find a spot to sit in the circular outdoor heated Jacuzzi and relaxation terrace with two stone baths.

The Well by the Sea Spa Menu

Used in all Cliff House Ardmore spa treatments, The WELL at CLIFF custom product line was crafted to nourish the body. Designed by award winning spa consultants, each of The WELL at CLIFF beauty products are made from a blend of 100% natural ingredients including Irish peat, carrageen moss and hand crushed herbs.

The Well by the Sea offers a selection of unique signature spa treatments, perfect for couples looking to experience one of Ireland’s best spa breaks:

• Out To See Face & Body Treatment: using heated oils and hot stones, tension is released on the back-of-the body, followed by a deeply relaxing and hydrating facial that includes lymphatic drainage on the face, neck and shoulders. Finishes with a luxury scalp massage and nourishing clay hair mask.
• Ocean Leaf Facial: transform skin and reduce the look of dark under-eye circles. Therapy includes a cleanse and tone using natural marine botanicals, a seaweed leaf mask and a rejuvenating eye treatment, followed by a face and shoulder massage.
• Hug of the Hands Full Body Massage: therapy begins with back exfoliation using seaweed and Atlantic sea salt to cleanse the skin and prepare the body. Hot towels calm the muscles, that are then expertly massaged to release tension and stress.
• Peat For the Feet Pedicure: immerse your feet in a deeply cleansing foot soak, followed by salt and fresh rosemary exfoliation and rich peat mud, which is smoothed over the skin to restore vital trace elements. While the mask is penetrating, you’re treated to a scalp, neck and shoulder massage. File and polish included.

Cliff House Ardmore Restaurants

Cliff House Ardmore is a food lovers dream. The five star luxury hotel features an upscale bar, Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant and on-site organic garden and greenhouse.

Executive Chef Martijn Kajuiter runs the culinary program at the Irish oceanside resort. Chef Kajuiter’s award-winning restaurant attracts foodies from all over the world to this tiny seaside village in West Waterford.

His parents ran a bistro and café in the Dutch town of Groningen. He was quick to rise through the ranks, working as Head Chef for De Kas restaurant in Amsterdam before moving to Ireland.

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The hotel describes the chef’s unique culinary philosophy, “Martijn Kajuiter’s cooking plays true to his instincts, his elegant palette and his deep-felt love of food from the earth, field and sea cooked with technical precision. A maverick to the core, Martijn’s obsessive passion resists the influences and trends of his industry, his contemporary take on traditional Irish food combining modern presentation with true innovation.”

Head Sommelier, Mathieu Le Crom, has worked as a sommelier at Cliff House Ardmore since October 2017. He previously held a sommelier position at Le Negresco Chantecler in Nice, France. The wines here reflect a true diversity of styles and countries from both the old and new worlds.

Visiting oenophiles can also enjoy bespoke wine dinners. Wine lovers begin their feast with an hour-long wine masterclass and wine tasting, followed by an inventive dinner menu served in the Chef’s Table Room.

Organic Garden & Greenhouse

The culinary team at Cliff House Hotel works on a multi pronged approach to bring together solidarity, organic farming and respect for biodiversity and the environment.

The kitchen does not use exotic fish or fish born from intensive, destructive practices. All seafood is sourced from local suppliers and sourced according to the seasons. All efforts to minimize and reduce waste are made by all members of the culinary team to align with the hotel’s eco friendly strategy to cut down on waste.

Martijn also spearheaded a unique initiative when he joined Cliff House Ardmore: he set up a kitchen garden with polytunnels that is supported by the St Raphael’s Centre in nearby Youghal where people with special needs work and grow seasonal vegetables outdoors.

If you’re keen to learn more about the hotel’s relationship with local Irish producers review the list of local Waterford farmers and culinary artisans to get an idea of the region’s finger-licking-good bounty.

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The House Restaurant

While Cliff House may be one of the best spa getaways in Ireland, it’s the hotel’s Michelin-starred cooking that makes it an unforgettable weekend away.

The House Restaurant is the only Michelin-starred hotel concept in Ireland. The fine dining experience comprises both a tasting menu as well as à la carte options. Enjoy Ireland’s pretties plates in an unpretentious ocean-facing, glass-walled room with a sea-coloured carpet, silvery velvet banquettes and plush tweed chairs.

Wag your finger down The House Restaurant menu and you’ll find a parade of imaginative Irish dishes:

• Squab Pigeon: garden peas, girolles, celeriac, foie gras, brie de meaux, jus
• Bantry Bay Organic Salmon: dutch salad, apple, codium, salmon ice cream, oak smoke
• McGrath’s Black Angus Beef: garden vegetables, bresaola, kilbeggan whiskey, beef tea
• Red Mullet “Escabeche”: garden carrot, potato creme, sea herbs, saffron jus

The Bar Restaurant

Cliff House Ardmore’s sister restaurant is a more casual affair. The interior of The Bar Restaurants is dominated by a curved walnut bar reminiscent of a tall sailing ship. Peak behind the bar and you’ll find shelves that are replicas of grappling hooks used by local fishermen from brass hook ends.

In the colder months a warm fire booms, creating the intimate and cozy feel of a traditional Irish pub. In the warm summer months, hungry guests flock to the stone terrace who wine and dine while perched over the hotel’s dramatic cliffside.

The Bar Restaurant menu is a sophisticated and easygoing homage to fresh Irish produce:

• McGrath’s Smoked Beef: rocket, hen’s egg, cheddar
• Cliff House Chowder: herb cream, lemon, pimiento
• Wild Irish Pheasant: green cabbage, bacon jus
• Helvick Monkfish: risotto nero, spinach, chorizo, butter sauce

Afternoon Tea

Fans of the British midday snack ritual of Afternoon Tea can enjoy an elegant three-tiered service while sipping loose leaf.

Afternoon Tea at Cliff House Hotel typically features a sandwich selection such as organic egg mayonnaise and corned beef on Waterford Blaa, Yawl Bay Crab with lemon and scallion, organic West Cork smoked salmon with cucumber, and Gubbeen cheese, rocket and tomato.

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Classic Afternoon Tea pastries and sweets are also served and include freshly baked raisin and buttermilk scones with cream, homemade red fruit preserves and lemon curd. Ardmore carrot cake with pistachio, Irish tea and whiskey fruit cake, and white chocolate and lemon tart with a fluffy candy floss topping round out a memorable midday meal.

Cliff House Ardmore’s Afternoon Tea runs from 2-5pm in The House Restaurant on the last Sunday of each month and is priced at €45 per person. During the holiday season you can book a table for High Tea during more frequent weekly seatings in December.

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Breakfast

Each morning hotel guests wake up to the world by feasting on a decadent Irish breakfast. Bruch each morning is hosted in on the sun-soaked terrace or tucked in at The House Restaurant’s white tablecloth topped dining tables.

Breakfast fans are treated to a pot of tea or coffee, freshly pressed juice, fruit salad, organic yogurt and toast. A selection of freshly baked pastries and breads such as croissant, danish, scones and soda bread are also served with Irish butter and preserves. A seasonal hot breakfast menu is also provided for those keen to enjoy a Full Irish Breakfast, pancakes, waffles or a simple plate of fried eggs and bacon.

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Ardmore Cliff Walk

No trip to Cliff House Ardmore is complete without a stroll along the town’s famous and ancient hiking trail. The Ardmore Cliff Walk trail conveniently begins just outside the hotel’s car park. The 4km trail is ranked as one of the best hikes in Ireland, offering access to breathtaking ocean views, wildlife, and ancient ruins.

Ardmore’s Cliff Walk takes approximately an hour to complete without photo stops. So if it’s a leisurely Irish stroll you’re after, plan for 1.5-2 hours.

The hotel’s friendly concierge regularly organizes a local guide who takes small groups on a historical tour of the heritage walk. You’ll enjoy jaw-dropping ocean views with attraction highlights including St. Declan’s Well, Samson Crane Ship, The Lookout Post, Fr. Odonnell’s Well, a crumbling castle and Ardmore’s famous Round Tower.

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Cliff House Ardmore Reservations

Middle Road, 353-24-87800

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