We travelled around Ireland for 2 weeks in May 2012. The entire country is gorgeous, friendly, easy to tour by car and so worth seeing. The Irish are so warm and friendly especially to Americans. We stayed in many wonderful hotels and B & B's but I must say our favorite was Bantry House. It is located along the southern coast in Bantry Bay and is a good location to use as a base for The Beara Peninsula (Do not miss- better and less crowded than the Ring of Kerry) and many of the other charming towns along the southern coast.

The Bantry House is a stately historic home that has been in the same family since the 1700's. It is now run by the owners daughters and son in law. They are an absolutely delightful family, so warm and friendly. They make all the difference because they are helpful, kind and seem to be unaffected by the incredible surroundings they have grown up in. The gardens alone are worth the visit to Bantry. But staying there makes a guest feel so very special as you are one of only a few guests staying in the home at night and you have the place to yourself so you really feel like you are living in a dream. Its like a mini version of Highclere Castle (Downtown Abbey). The rooms are lovely, enormous, have modern baths and have gorgeous views of the bay or the gardens, (we had both-just awesome). At night you have full and private use of the library and a drawing room with a roaring fire, and an honor bar. The antiques in this room will cause jaw drop. The breakfast is fantastic with a buffet of everything you could want and in addition they offer a hot dish. The breakfast room is charming and luxurious too. They do not serve dinner but there were several excellent restaurants in town which was a very easy and pretty walk from Bantry House.

All in all this was one of the great experiences of our trip to Ireland and one we will never forget. We felt it was also an amazing value for the type of property this is. Elsewhere the price would be double what we paid. We loved that there were only a handful of rooms so it was not crowded with tourists. Highly recommended to anyone with discriminating taste.

Book a B&B room at the Bantry House. limited rooms so book quick. clasical and spacious rooms with modern bathrooms. Groundfloor: Biljartroom with fireplace. Good breakfast in nice athmosphere. Friendly personel who know how to welcome guests and proud about their location. Nice garden, unforgetable views (even in the rain).
In the morning (after you slept here,had breakfast) visit the museum and it feels like you lived here as a Duke.

Bantry House is a treat--gorgeous and stately with gardens and bay view to calm one's soul. Breakfast was wonderful. The hospitality was gracious. This is a must-stay spot for any traveler to the Emerald Isle.