A night on Cobh harbour at the Ardeen...
Written: Mar 08 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Convenient location, reasonable quality/price for a single/couple of night(s)
Cons: This isn't luxury but who needs it?!
The Bottom Line: If you don't want to go traipsing from A to B seeking somewhere of top luxury (unlikely in Cobh!), then you won't be disappointed by the Ardeen...
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| icicleie's Full Review: Ardeen Bed & Breakfast, Cobh, Cork, Ireland |
Now that more and more of my friends are getting themselves cars in the run-up to finishing Uni, a few more Irish road-trips have been added to the 2006 calendar. This one was to Cobh, in Co.Cork – a good four & a half hour drive from the capital city of Dublin. Assuming we didn’t have to book accommodation in advance (and we were correct), we just arrived, had a quick instinctual look around to localize the most suitable B&B, and walked in the door of the Ardeen on Harbour Hill.
Rooms & Ensuite Bathroom – Layout, Decor, Atmosphere
The bedroom was smallish, but had enough space for a single and a double bed (I was sharing a twin room with a friend), with a good aisle in between. We were given one of the rooms at the very top of the stairs for the best view over the water (without even asking), but this did mean the slanting ceiling jutted into the room ever so slightly. I would estimate that there was really only about a third of a metre or so between the crown of my head & the ceiling whilst standing. This said, I never felt like extra space was needed, merely that it would be preferable. The temperature was just right – toasty – exactly what you need on the Irish coast in early March. The decor went for the safe beige & tangy-orangey-browns. There was a wardrobe if you were staying that bit longer, or had a good deal of luggage. We were only staying the one night here, though, so we barely had any at all – a toothbrush & some cash! There was a colour TV on top of the wardrobe (with a remote), and it had all the usual Irish & UK channels. The reception was good.
The ensuite was smallish but had enough space to be comfortable, and had the usual toilet–sink–mirror-shower arrangement. The shower wasn’t electric but nevertheless, it had plenty of hot water once you left it running for two or three minutes before jumping in. The water pressure was good also. There were no freebies but the towels were a clean white. All rooms are ensuite with a TV.
Breakfast & Common Room
Breakfast entailed the usual full Irish hot breakfast if you liked, or cereal-fruit-yoghurt if you wanted to run with a healthier menu! The dining room was nice and light, separated from the common living room by glass windows. The large windows in this common room then afforded you a full view out onto the water. Service was excellent as we were the only ones down at around the 9am mark. I’m fairly sure that out of about 5 rooms, only one other was occupied. The house was perfectly silent at night, and well heated. The common room had comfortable brown sofas, with lots of space, a high ceiling (!), and big TV. The decor was a mix of modern & Irish traditional, and certainly had more character than the bedroom.
Location
The Ardeen B&B is located on the Island village of Cobh in County Cork. I hadn’t been to Cobh before this visit, and was very pleasantly surprised. I had visions of dank conditions & a dreary atmosphere, and very gratefully had my entire vision changed to one far more pleasant. The village sits peacefully on the harbour front with the bells of the very impressive Cathedral ringing in your ears every so often to awaken you from a daydream. The houses are brightly colored pinks, greens & blues. It’s a place of natural contentment and although the very large number of hotels and B&Bs hint at a striving tourist industry in later Spring/Summer, it retains a wild but strangely homely feel. There aren’t as many places to eat as you may think, however. We had a nice meal in a hotel on the waterfront, and you’ll be spoilt for choice of pubs if you are looking for a relaxing drink to unwind.
Cobh isn’t somewhere you would spend more than a full day - unless sailing is something you're very interested in. Make sure you take in a visit to the Fota wildlife park, a park rather than a zoo that allows the animals to roam free. Fota is on your right just before you cross the bridge onto the island. Say hello to the bison, the giraffe, or the zebras. Many of the animals such as the llamas, the birds and even the kangaroos have lost all fear of humans so you will walk in & around them as if out for a walk on a reasonably busy Sunday afternoon in Dublin.
Pricing & Conclusions
We only dealt with one lady of staff ever, presumably a member of the family who owned the business. She was very courteous, and made sure to check that everything was to our satisfaction. They don’t take any credit cards here, so make sure to have your cash at the ready. We didn’t, and the nearest ATM was a good 10 minute walk from the front door – a minor inconvenience. The price we paid (for a twin room in March 㤏) was 30 Euro each, 60 in total – not bad but not brilliant. I’d have absolutely no problems staying here again, but I wouldn’t necessarily be determined to stay here either. If you’re staying only one or two nights in Cobh, though, you certainly won’t be disappointed. Hopefully, you’ll be out exploring, enjoying the fresh air, or sailing during the day. If you want absolute luxury, then you simply need to go with a hotel rather than a B&B, this one or any other…
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
icicleie
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Location: Dublin, Ireland.
Reviews written: 107
Trusted by: 75 members
About Me:
"If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor."
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