Modern design dream in remote northwestern Ireland with world class service
Breac House / Dunfanaghy / Co. Donegal / Ireland
I realize that many of my favorite hotels are ones you really have to search for. Hotels that are located well off the beaten track. Breac House in Donegal is one of those places. It sits high up on a hill overlooking the small village of Dunfanaghy in Donegal, Ireland. This hotel is a passion project of owners Cathrine and Niall and you can really tell they love what they do. From the minute you arrive you are taken care of like you were royalty. Super attentive, friendly and keen to make your stay a success. Cathrine and Niall prove that service is an art form. By the end of our stay it almost felt like we were staying with friends in their beautiful home rather than in a hotel.
It really seems like everything here has been carefully selected in order to create a beautiful, cohesive look. They have gone all in when it comes to using local products. Everything from the pottery to the towels are locally sourced and to my joy, possible to buy if you want to bring something home with you.
There are only three rooms and this place has (rightfully so) had quite the amount of publicity so if you would like to go here I would suggest you are flexible with dates and book well in advance.
If we would have started a hotel of our own, Breac House is very close to what we would have liked to run. It is perfection in all the details. And the service.
The entrance of Breac House with the dramatic mountains in the background.
I am a sucker for all these sharp lines and the dark wood in combination with the slate roof.
An example of perfect modern architecture
I am such a big fan of how the dark wood contrasts with the green meadows surrounding the property.
When we arrived we were immediately offered to sit down in the lounge to have some coffee and home baked cake.
The lounge really feels like a home. It is an art form to create a public areas that can feel this homely.
These pillows together with most of what you find in Breac House is sourced locally. Like these tweed pillows from Eddie Doherty in Ardara.
The view from our bed. I love when you can lay in bed and look at a view. Makes it very difficult to get out of bed. But that’s a problem I don’t mind dealing with.
I mean, just look at the view from our patio. To die for!
M is enjoying a coffee in the morning sun. The coffee was delivered to our room, just before the breakfast tray…
…which looked something like this. Every morning the breakfast is brought to your room with a personal note. A lot of what is served is produced onsite. Trust me, it tastes just as good as it looks.
M enjoying a second cup of coffee. I couldn’t help myself to take a gazillion photos.
I am such a sucker for all these little knickknacks. Like the bespoke vase from local pottery Muck ‘n Muffins and the handmade map of the local area.
The sauna is located in a separate building but with the same spectacular view of the valley.
Love this brand sitting on the facade of the sauna. And here you can see part of the view from the sauna.
You get a rucksack delivered to your room everyday filled with treats. This photo is taken on route to our favorite local beach, Tramore.
“- Are we there yet?” I am looking for the closest path to the beach…
…and I found it. Just look at this place. Tramore Beach a short walk from the hotel.
We had the beach more or less all to ourselves. Surreal!
A quick bath in the chilly Atlantic and then it was time to enjoy the packed lunch.
Behind the hotel there is a place called Horn Head with a super dramatic coastline and pathways along the cliffs.
When driving around in Ireland you have to pay attention. Sheep are everywhere on the island.
My best local tip, Rusty Oven Pizza down in the village of Dunfaneghy. It looks so good that I know you can almost taste it.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to combine Irish hospitality with a beautifully designed hotel where you are really put in focus as a guest. If you like dramatic nature and beautiful hikes, this is the place for you.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is Cathrine and Niall. Being Swedish (ok, stereotype alert!) I really like service that is not too much in your face, but more of the discreet kind and they do that to the T here. Oh, and I have to mention the private sauna that you book per room. Also high up on my list of likes. Oh, and I have to mention the breakfast that is served through a hatch in your room. Oh, and I have to mention the rucksack that you get every day stuffed with goodies to take on your excursion.
What not to miss when staying here…
…are actually two things. The first is the fantastic pizza place down in the village. It is called the Rusty Oven and their pizzas are beyond. The other thing is something I was hesitant wether to share or not. But I decided I would. There is a cove with a beach called Tramore, a 30 min walk from the hotel. Put on your hiking shoes and go there. You won’t regret it.
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