Go overnight: Gemma Tiptonstays at the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore
I MET A French man once who told me he was living in Tout l’Amour. It took me a while, and several romantic fantasies, to realise he was talking about Tullamore. That was a number of years ago, but it came to mind again when I needed to be in Co Offaly over Valentine’s night, and I thought: where better than Tout l’Amour? Slightly less romantically, I was in Tullamore without the amour part, but decided it was worth checking into the Bridge House Hotel nonetheless.
An e-mail followed my online booking, asking whether I fancied adding some romantic extras to my bill, such as a bottle of wine in the room, basket of fruit, or even, for the small matter of an additional €40, an upgrade to a suite, complete with private balcony, sleigh bed, jacuzzi, rose petals, dressing gown, slippers and a fruit basket.
Until they mentioned them, I hadn’t exactly lusted after all these things, but I began to think that even though it might be rather sad to spend Valentine’s night in Tout l’Amour on my own in a sleigh bed strewn with rose petals, I still liked the idea of the jacuzzi, dressing gown and slippers and, on a starry night, the balcony might be appealing. So I went for it, but, alas, they were sold out. I had to settle for ordinary after all.
A text from a friend, who had gone with her amour to Athlone, told me their hotel had its corridors strewn with (nylon) rose petals. But “ordinary” at the Bridge House wasn’t bad. The bed was enormous and comfy, with a cheery red bedspread, which turned out to be hiding two small cigarette burns in the duvet cover. The room didn’t smell smoky though.
There was a TV, free wireless internet and a tea tray, but no mini bar, and I fretted a little at the absence of a fridge, as I had bought some goodies at a farmers’ market on the way over. Opening the window, however, I discovered that previous incumbents of the room had faced the same dilemma – there were already a block of butter and cheese on the window ledge.
In the bathroom I found one of those annoyingly rubbish hair dryers, and nicely smelling Natural Extracts toiletries, so I ignored the slightly grubby grout to run a bubble bath. I even discovered that if I swivelled the TV around and moved the shower curtain, I could watch telly through the bubbles. The bath was interrupted by a knock at the door, which turned out to be a nice person delivering two heart-shaped chocolates.
In the foyer, impressive with a huge chandelier, an assortment of differently aged and differently dressed couples were checking in, and checking out their dinner reservation times. They ranged from what seemed like children (God, that makes me feel old), to more silvered duos, and the dress code seemed to go from smart casual to bizarre party gear and slinky cocktail dresses.
On the way into the dining room, all were presented with red carnations. The dining room is beside an outdoor terrace, which must be gorgeous in warmer weather, while opposite is a seating area with a view down to a lovely-looking swimming pool.
The main entrance to the hotel is down a side street, and it is here that a large, newer building has been added to the original hotel, which opened 40 years ago.
The original hotel is still present in attractive facade form on Bridge Street, and the front door here brings you into a large and not terribly atmospheric bar, where bands are sometimes booked to play. They’re big on events at the Bridge House: weddings, conferences, comedy and music, but if you prefer a slightly quieter environment, there’s also the Library bar tucked to one side of the lobby, where on my visit, people seemed to be enjoying themselves as a lady strummed a guitar.
An early start called for an early night, and tucked into the enormous bed with tea and a biscuit, I stopped resenting the lack of rose petals and bath robe, to consider the room absolutely grand. Not “grand” as in living up to the promise of the lobby, complete with chandelier and divided staircase, but “grand” as in absolutely fine for what I needed, and for the price. From the street outside drifted up the screechings of a very unromantic argument, but I didn’t catch the denouement as I was soon asleep.
Breakfast in the morning was in a different dining room. Fresh fruit, pastries, a fry and a double espresso coffee were more than I needed, but very enjoyable nonetheless. The staff were all friendly and helpful, and on the whole I found it a very good place to stay, romantic extras or not. And then, I waved goodbye to Tout l’Amour and headed on my chilly way to Birr.
WhereBridge House Hotel, Tullamore, Co Offaly. 057-9325600, bridgehouse.com.
WhatFour-star hotel and leisure centre
Rooms70, including five suites.
Best ratescurrently From €80 B&B, offers include two nights' B&B plus one dinner €109 pps midweek.
Restaurant and barLibrary Bar, Bridge House lounge and carvery (live music some nights), Mezzanine restaurant, Charleville restaurant, Core night club.
Child friendliness Children welcome, family rooms (including children stay free with parents’ offers), summer camps in season.
AccessibilityFully accessible rooms available.
AmenitiesSanctuary spa, gym and leisure centre with swimming pool, free wireless internet access, free car park. Music and entertainment in bar. Cinema across the road. Golf and horse riding nearby.