Hotel Review: Ice House, Ballina, West Ireland

Shopping & Reviews

Arriving at The Ice House in Ballina, I had to stop and remind myself I was in West Ireland, not Stockholm. And what a welcome...

The Skandinavian-style exterior of The Ice House Hotel, located on the outskirts of Ballina, is as fresh as if it had been painted yesterday. Built lovingly into the banks of the River Moy, The Four Star Ice House Hotel really is a joy to behold.

The clean, crisp lines of the architecture smack of superior innovation, yet the whole hotel building blends beautifully into the riverside. A unique combination of modern touches, ceiling to floor glass and cool furnishings blend seemlessly with original riverside rock features, traditional heavy leather gentleman's chairs, heavy flock wallcoverings and antique wooden furnishings.

Our suite, Leaf, was a stunning example of letting the natural surroundings do the talking. Our huge glass fronted, contemporary room was like a luxurious glass box, perched on the edge of the River Moy itself, with totally uninteruppted views of the Atlantic.

Whilst the four suites occupy a riverside position next to the Spa, the other delectable rooms can be found in the main, original house. These gorgeous rooms are the antithesis in style to the modern Suites, featuring traditional mahogany furnishings, heavy flock wallcoverings and beautiful antique sleigh beds.

Our suite featured two huge flat screen televisions, a stunning ensuite and an oversized (and incredibly comfortable) king size bed. We'd been there two minutes and already didn't want to leave.

Hand-created touches: like the note left on your pillow each evening detailing the following day's event recommendations and weather; and a plate of fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries left next to the bed, were lovely touches.

The A la Carte Pier Restaurant at The Ice House was a delight in itself. Head Chef Gavin O'Rourke ensured that the innovation in presentation was met with the same amount of taste and quality - The Prime Fillet of Irish Beef with Ravioli of Osso Bucco, Buttered Baby Leeks and Truffle Oil €39.00 didn't just look fabulous - it was, quite simply, the best steak I have ever had the pleasure of eating.

The wine list at The Ice House was cleverly carved into grape, then price-point recommendations, which, with the EURO conversion as painful as it currently is, made for a very handy guide.

The Pier Restaurant also juts out onto the River Moy, but extends back under the original arches of the Ice Room, which used as a cold store for salmon, back in the 1900s. Given the two distinct areas, this makes The Pier perfect for a romantic evening, or a group meal. Choose from a large table for two in the comfort of the arches, or a booth-style table for up to 10 under nothing but an expanse of glass.

Finally, The Ice House at Ballina is not all about its looks. The service was impeccable and it was clear that every single member of staff have been trained to go the extra mile for their guests.

We had a ball, and would fully recommend The Ice House Hotel (www.icehousehotel.ie) for a weekend away. We will definitely be returning.

OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 The perfect place to chill