By: Stacy Dickenson
New York – August 16, 2016: Ashford Castle, the 13th-century castle hotel in County Mayo, Ireland, has unveiled the latest addition to its accommodations, the new Hideaway Cottage, situated on the edge of Lough Corrib. As part of a large renovation project, the estate’s former boathouse has been fully modernized, while keeping true to its Irish heritage, to create a luxurious cottage hideaway. The Hideaway Cottage offers maximum privacy for the ideal romantic retreat, while still offering guests access to all of the amenities and services of the Castle and its 350-acre estate.
Surrounded by woodland with a 180-degree view over Ireland’s second largest lake, the secluded cottage is offset from the castle and gated for complete privacy. It is comprised of one bedroom, an entry hall and bathroom, and is perfect for honeymoons and romantic getaways. Alongside all of the services that Ashford Castle offers to guests, the Hideaway Cottage also provides a personal Hideaway Assistant, who is always on call to accommodate any special guest requests n addition to the myriad of dining options on the Ashford Castle estate, guests can also dine privately in the cottage, which has been lovingly designed, incorporating materials found on site, such as original stones and old fireplace lintels from the castle’s estate. The cottage has all the trappings of a sumptuous and cozy private home, including: an elegant bathroom; French parquet flooring, handmade by Geraghty’s of Ireland; built-in cabinets from Loughnanes of Ireland; lush fabrics; a blue Murano glass chandelier; ceiling designs by David Faulkner Interiors; and building finishes by Edward Deacy.
Like the rest of the castle, the Hideaway Cottage is characterized by individually selected original art, antique pieces and custom-made furniture. These include a pair of French Empire marquetry chests of drawers, a four-fold European canvas screen from the early 20th century, art by Louis Icart and a late 19th-century pair of walnut armchairs covered in tapestry by Brunschwig & Fils.
Guests of the Hideaway Cottage will have their own bicycles and access to all facilities of the castle and its estate, including falconry, fishing, horseback riding, a nine-hole golf course, a billiards room, zip lining, a 32-seat cinema, wine cellars and three restaurants, in addition to the private dining options that the cottage itself offers.
Guests can also dine al fresco on the Hideaway Cottage’s pier, with a magical backdrop of Ashford Castle and the stars reflecting on the lake. With a host of personal, thoughtful touches and services including a dedicated room service attendant and housekeeper, guests are promised a luxurious Irish experience like no other.
Room rates for The Hideaway Cottage start from €3,000 (approx. US$3,382) per night on a B&B basis. For more information about The Hideaway Cottage and Ashford Castle, please visit www.ashfordcastle.com.