NUMBER
1 PERY SQUARE
It is always difficult when choosing a hotel that you
have never stayed at before, it's so easy to be disappointed, and I
should know. With over forty years of travelling behind me I have had
my fair share of disappointments. Of course the safe option,
although this is no guarantee, is to opt for a well known hotel chain
as they will have certain recognised standards, and you know pretty
well what to expect. But,what if you are looking for something a
little different? Smaller, independent hotels, and boutique hotels in
particular, can often surprise with their individuality, attention
to detail and 'go that extra mile' personalised customer service.
When they 'get it right', it can be a very
pleasing and fulfilling experience.
And 'get it right' is exactly what owner Patricia
Roberts has achieved
with Number 1 Pery Square. Overlooking the beautiful tree lined
People's Park in the delightful Georgian quarter of Limerick, Number
1 Pery Square, purchased by Patricia in 2006, is a luxury twenty
bedroomed boutique hotel just a mere five minute walk from the city
centre.
Built around 1830 by the Pery Square Tontine Company,
Number One Pery Square is a Grade 1 listed building, and is one of
Ireland's best examples of late Georgian architecture. The Georgian
architecture is evident throughout this remarkable building, even
down to the naming of the hotel's restaurant after the Georgian sash
windows.
Facilities at the hotel can
only be described as excellent, with a welcoming, relaxing Spa
featuring a coal bunker sauna, aroma steam room, Irish mist showers,
herbal cocoon, and a Zen garden, and offering a wide
choice of wellness and beauty treatments.
For all your culinary needs look no further than
Restaurant Sash, a Michelin recommended restaurant, which serves some amazingly delicious meals, using
many herbs and ingredients freshly
sourced from the hotel's own garden. Food can also be
ordered in the bar area.
Guest rooms are graded into three types, all
delightfully
individual and tastefully decorated. In the main town
house are four Period Style rooms, these rooms are named after
previous residents of the house. They are spacious rooms with large
sash windows, affording views of the terrace and garden, as well as
the beautiful
People's park. The rooms feature roll top baths and
Monsoon showers, complimentary Wi Fi, complimentary robes and
slippers, and room service. Irish Voya organic beauty treatments are
also available in the room.
Club Rooms also overlook the garden and terrace, and are
named after renowned Irish writers. These rooms feature Monsoon
showers. Complimentary Wi Fi, toiletries, robes and slippers.
Finally, there is the Townhouse Suite. Located on the
top floor this suite offers fantastic views of the city and the
mountains of Clare. Spacious and stylish with its own bar and dinning
area, comfortable sofas, large screen television, two bedrooms, and
compact kitchenette, this suite has everything the discerning guest
could possibly wish for, and more! Along with the complimentary
slippers and robes, toiletries and Wi Fi, there is also a Nespresso
Coffee Machine. Guest wanting to really indulge themselves can
arrange for Spa treatments in their room.
The front desk is open 24 hours so there is always
someone on hand to assist with
any queries guests
may have, whether it
be with service at the hotel, restaurant bookings or
information on places to visit. There is also a library, laundry
service, childcare facilities, and on-site car rentals.
I arrived at Number 1 Pery Square late afternoon, I was
driving and, although parking is restricted in the adjacent streets,
I was able to park directly outside the hotel entrance in the marked
loading bay. Parking is permitted here to enable guests to unload
their luggage, it is then necessary to move your vehicle to the
private, secure car park which is less than half a mile away. Once I
had checked in and taken my luggage to my room, I explored the hotel
and spa area. Unfortunately, the spa was in the process of closing
for the day, so I didn't get to use the facilities, however, I was
very impressed with what I saw.
I decided to have supper in the bar area, this proved to
be a good choice as the 'Classic Supper', served to me by the bar
tender, a most pleasant and friendly gentleman, turned out to be a
very tasty and substantial meal. The bar area was very cosy and had
various sitting areas around the bar, which sat almost central
between two rooms, with access from both sides.
My guest
room 'Goldsmith' was a lovely room with two large
windows, one to the front overlooking the street, the other to the
side of the building. Charmingly
furnished in a very individualistic fashion, with good
quality drapes attractively
framing the windows, it was evident that a lot of
thought had gone into the design of the room, and indeed the entire
hotel. The bathroom was spacious, with a full sized bath and
separate shower cubicle. The complimentary slippers and robes were
most welcome, as was the complimentary bottled water. The bed proved
very comfortable, and I experienced one of the best nights sleep that
I'd had on this trip.
The next morning I awoke with
vigour, ready for my breakfast and the day ahead. But,
little did I know what delights I had in store! Breakfast was served
in Restaurant Sash, and there was everything on
offer that you would expect from a good buffet
breakfast. However,
what
made this breakfast experience
so special, was a combination of things. Firstly, the
restaurant itself is a beautifully
decorated room, just oozing character, add to this the
smartly
attired,
lovely lady who was enthusiastically dressing all the tables
with beautiful
fresh flowers, the ever so friendly,
smiley and helpful waiting staff, and last, but
certainly by no means least, the exceptional
chef who served up, by
far, the best smoked salmon and scrambled egg that I
can ever recall having! With
this first class breakfast experience, you certainly have the makings
of a great start to the day.
I honestly cannot fault this hotel, it is beautifully
decorated and furnished, spotlessly clean, has something of interest
around every corner, and has some of the friendliest, most delightful
and helpful staff I have come across in a long time.
The staff seem truly happy to be there, they appear to really
enjoy their work and
are clearly passionate about their role. They work very
much as a team, more like a family, which
is so refreshing to see. This is one boutique hotel
that ticks every box and I would not hesitate to return.
Places of interest in the area include Saint Mary's
Cathedral, King John's Castle, The Treaty Stone, Tait's Clock,
O'Connell Street, The People's Park, and a great art gallery. All
this within a twenty minute walk of the hotel!
Getting to the hotel is not a problem either, Limerick
train station is only a six minute walk away, and Shannon Airport
less than thirteen miles.
The address of the hotel is: 1 Perry Square, Georgian
Quarter, Limerick V94 EKP9
The hotel is also on Facebook and Twitter.
