DEIRDRE VELDONstays at the Wineport Lodge, in Co Westmeath
OUR VISIT to Wineport Lodge coincided with the great wetness of recent months.
The waters of Killenure Lake lapped around the stilts under the building for the duration of our short stay. Inside, staff were serenely oblivious to the prospect of floating off down the Shannon should the lodge finally shed its moorings. We felt silly for worrying.
“Flooding? No, never, not here,” they smoothed. “But the water’s just an inch from the door,” we fretted, trying to tamp down the hysteria.“Ah, not at all, we’ll be fine. Wouldn’t you like a drink? Dinner? A hot soak?”
This was a staff in denial. We resolved to get our 24 hours there over with as quickly as possible, leaving them to their watery fate. Not before enjoying every moment, mind.
As an annual visitor to Wineport, this stopover was not going to be a voyage of discovery or, indeed, a voyage of any sort. Point is, I like the proposition on offer. That proposition includes the charming staff, who really were willing to jump in the car and go that extra mile for their guests. “Sure, we’ll send someone up for you,” they said when we called from the train to ask about taxi services.
So it was that we were ferried from station to lodge and back, although there is by no means an official shuttle service in operation. It was nice to just get a lift. That left us more time to enjoy the comfort of Wineport, because this is where it really shines.
Our bedroom was unusually large, with a restful grey colour scheme and lashings of thick fabric draped hither and thither. The deep carpets invited bare feet, while soft sparkling-white linen beckoned from the beds. You could nearly see the fluffy fibres standing to attention on the sheets and quilts, all in the name of relaxation. It wasn’t all talk either; we enjoyed at least nine hours of quality sleep, helped along by the bedlinen and thick curtains. This comfort was to blame for our tardy arrival at breakfast.
More luxury was in evidence in the bathroom, with its free-standing bath, a walk-in shower for two with a “rain” showerhead – quite the largest we’d seen – and underfloor heating. You’d be happy enough to spend a big chunk of your stay in the bathroom alone, padding around amid the L’Occitane toiletries and preening at the no-mist mirrors. Are the mirrors over the top? Maybe, but there’s great comfort in removing the need to smear your reflection with a post-shower paw.
A balcony window gave to the lake – from the safety of the first floor. Though the weather was a fright, it was, inexplicably, as picture-perfect a scene as you could wish for. Before dinner we enjoyed a drink huddled around the stove in the bright but cosy bar.
The food scores well on the modern Irish quality scale, though it does have a hint of homeliness about it. Homely can be good and bad. The fish pie we had at dinner, though decent, wasn’t hot enough at first serving. And there were strange unhomely pop-in-the-mouth granules in the ice cream, which didn’t work for me. To be fair, we were enjoying a deal that was great value, inclusive of dinner, so it’d be churlish to quibble.
Breakfast was a fine affair, with cooked and buffet options. The help-yourself section had fresh juices, a reasonable selection of cereal and fruit and a few cold platter items. Dainty pastries made on the premises were my bite-sized ruination. We had lovely prunes. Forget the full Irish: prunes should be the barometer of a first-rate breakfast; well-soaked, squishy and chocolate-brown ones win out every time.
We packed up – first with food, then bags – before availing of the gracious lift to the station.
Crossing the Shannon on the train home, we congratulated ourselves on not getting even a little bit wet. I hope lovely Wineport stays afloat for next time.
WhereWineport Lodge, Glasson, Athlone, Co Westmeath, 090- 6439010, wineport.ie.
WhatLakeside four-star guest house.
Rooms29 (five suites, eight junior suites, three superior).
Best ratesFrom €79 BB (except Fridays); one night's BB with dinner for €119 per person sharing.
Restaurant and barRestaurant seats 120. There is a bar adjoining the restaurant and residents' bar.
Child-friendlinessChildren welcome (under twos free in parents' room, free cot, babysitting), family rooms, children's menus.
AccessibilityTwo disabled-accessible rooms.
AmenitiesFree Wi-Fi, TV, DVD/video, room safe, mini bars, rooftop hot tub, treatment rooms, helipad. Nearby walking and fishing.