Compiled by
EDEL MORGAN
The Hilton Dublin Airport near Clarehall in Dublin 13 is offering a park and fly deal where you get a free shuttle to Dublin Airport and free parking in the underground car park for up to 15 days if you stay on a BB basis the night before you travel. There’s also an option where up to two children can stay free depending on room availability. A night’s stay costs from € 89 per room, depending on the time of year.
The hotel is a good 10-15 minutes drive from the airport but for anyone travelling to the airport from a distance who needs an overnight stay, it is a pretty good deal. See hilton.com/Dublin.
Catch:If you book two weeks in Dublin Airport's Express Red long term car park, you get the second week free and it costs around €50 including a short shuttle trip to the airport. See dublinairport.com.
If you don’t already have enough of being Irish, Cape Cod Irish Village in Massachusetts in the US is offering freebies with some of its packages for 2012. A Ceili weekend package from January 27th-30th costs $149 per person (€114) based on double occupancy and includes a third night free, a choice of menu dinner on Friday, a full Irish breakfast and banquet style dinner on Saturday, and Sunday brunch.
The St Patrick’s Day package from March 15th-18th includes a fourth night free, three full Irish breakfasts and two five-course dinners. It costs $249.00 per person (€191) based on double occupancy, plus tax
Catch:Judging from the photos on the website, the accommodation is a little dated but it has a nice setting and an indoor and outdoor pool.
Take note:These package rates apply for double occupancy only, ie two adults. Single rates are available. The first three kids stay free in room, with no meals included. capecod-irishvillage.com
A spa treatment and room upgrade are just two of the extras thrown in with a winter-break package to the boutique L’Hôtel de Toiras in Île de Ré in France (below). The package includes two nights stay, a gourmet meal, afternoon hot chocolate and breakfast and costs €295 per person and is based on a stay in a superior room. It is available until April 5th (excluding December 25th, 30th and 31st and New Year’s Day).
Catch: It's just as well that hot chocolate is one of the treats as temperatures tend to drop to five to seven degrees in winter, although rarely plummet to below zero. Also the room upgrade only applies Sunday to Thursday.
Take note: You can also hire out Villa Clarisse, the new sister hotel of L'Hôtel de Toiras, which has nine elegant bedrooms and a garden at the rear of the property. Prices start from €162 per person per night (based on 18 people sharing). hotel-de-toiras.com