Our week in Ireland via Air France La Première
Aug 27, 2016, 4:39 pm
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 63
I fully support elitist comments if they are funny, but I don't think some of these comments from SFO/wife are. With that said, readers need to chill out. Who gave yall the right to criticize SFO for criticizing others?
Brand is in no way indicative of quality, prestige, or whatever it is you're hoping to achieve. I love Loro Piana for its carefully sourced quality material, namely for its prided and exclusive cashmere products. But what does a LP synthetic fiber jacket got over the average synthetic fiber jacket? Is the bamboo fiber in that nylon jacket sourced from an endangered species of bamboo? If the LP jacket has cashmere inside, why is she wearing cashmere in the summer?
Also trainers are sneakers/shoes, not pants.
Also trainers are sneakers/shoes, not pants.
Last edited by Silent Orange; Aug 27, 2016 at 4:47 pm
Aug 27, 2016, 5:37 pm
#107
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Topic Check
All,
I've got to put my Mod hat on for a second. Let's make sure we're not getting personal.
This applies to the original poster, as well as those commenting.
Thank you,
Madone59
Moderator: Trip Reports
Aug 27, 2016, 5:51 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Aug 28, 2016, 6:14 am
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
We departed Dublin airport around 5:30p and some 90 minutes later we arrived at one of the most wonderful and special hotels we have ever visited.
Used as a school until 7 years ago, the buildings were completely restored to a simply marvelous Downton Abbey type estate.
Our room, the Lady Kildare suite.
I ordered a capuccino for Mrs. SFO777 and it arrived within 5 minutes. This type of service was a precursor to what would be a couple of days of absolutely flawless service by a most wonderful staff.
Cocktails and pupus before dinner.
My fois gras was divine.
Back in our room after dinner.
After a wonderful night's sleep, a fabulous breakfast.
With it actively raining, we cancelled falconry and took golf carts for a leisurely tour of the grounds.
The shooting range. OK, we'll be back here later.
Something called the Ice House... perhaps to store ice years ago??
Back at the front entrance, just another of the wonderful staff... indeed a younger Simon Pegg double.
Time for a tour of this beautiful place.
OK, enough of this. After our active morning LOL, let's head to the bar.
I don't do a lot of loo pics, but this one was pretty cool.
Time for lunch in the exquisite solarium.
By this time, it was nearly 4pm and time to head up to the shooting range to meet another staffer Glenn, who doubles as the shooting range guide. What a character with a wonderful sense of humour.
After shooting and a rest, time to head for cocktails and pupus.
And another amazing meal.
Breakfast the next morning on getaway day.
What a extraordinary experience at spectacular small hotel. With only 12 occupied rooms (of 24) and massive grounds, most of the time it felt like we were the only guests there, and with personable, professional and simply extraordinary staff eager to satisfy every need. The attention to detail was on a level that one rarely see anywhere. Ballyfin is one of the finest hotels that we have ever had to pleasure to visit.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
Just posted the next installments SFO777.com
• Ballyfin to Killarney and the Pan Am Clipper.
Will post to FT as soon as possible.
Used as a school until 7 years ago, the buildings were completely restored to a simply marvelous Downton Abbey type estate.
Our room, the Lady Kildare suite.
I ordered a capuccino for Mrs. SFO777 and it arrived within 5 minutes. This type of service was a precursor to what would be a couple of days of absolutely flawless service by a most wonderful staff.
Cocktails and pupus before dinner.
My fois gras was divine.
Back in our room after dinner.
After a wonderful night's sleep, a fabulous breakfast.
With it actively raining, we cancelled falconry and took golf carts for a leisurely tour of the grounds.
The shooting range. OK, we'll be back here later.
Something called the Ice House... perhaps to store ice years ago??
Back at the front entrance, just another of the wonderful staff... indeed a younger Simon Pegg double.
Time for a tour of this beautiful place.
OK, enough of this. After our active morning LOL, let's head to the bar.
I don't do a lot of loo pics, but this one was pretty cool.
Time for lunch in the exquisite solarium.
By this time, it was nearly 4pm and time to head up to the shooting range to meet another staffer Glenn, who doubles as the shooting range guide. What a character with a wonderful sense of humour.
After shooting and a rest, time to head for cocktails and pupus.
And another amazing meal.
Breakfast the next morning on getaway day.
What a extraordinary experience at spectacular small hotel. With only 12 occupied rooms (of 24) and massive grounds, most of the time it felt like we were the only guests there, and with personable, professional and simply extraordinary staff eager to satisfy every need. The attention to detail was on a level that one rarely see anywhere. Ballyfin is one of the finest hotels that we have ever had to pleasure to visit.
For an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
Just posted the next installments SFO777.com
• Ballyfin to Killarney and the Pan Am Clipper.
Will post to FT as soon as possible.
Aug 28, 2016, 6:22 am
#111
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Germany
Programs: Miles and More
Posts: 16
How do you even find that kind of places? Travel agent? A special and secret website that I'm not aware of? I doubt that you wake up one day, open tripadvisor and think 'hmmm, let me check Ballyfin today'...
Aug 28, 2016, 9:53 am
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Aug 28, 2016, 11:01 am
#116
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
I fully support elitist comments if they are funny, but I don't think some of these comments from SFO/wife are. With that said, readers need to chill out. Who gave yall the right to criticize SFO for criticizing others?
Brand is in no way indicative of quality, prestige, or whatever it is you're hoping to achieve. I love Loro Piana for its carefully sourced quality material, namely for its prided and exclusive cashmere products. But what does a LP synthetic fiber jacket got over the average synthetic fiber jacket? Is the bamboo fiber in that nylon jacket sourced from an endangered species of bamboo? If the LP jacket has cashmere inside, why is she wearing cashmere in the summer?
Also trainers are sneakers/shoes, not pants.
Brand is in no way indicative of quality, prestige, or whatever it is you're hoping to achieve. I love Loro Piana for its carefully sourced quality material, namely for its prided and exclusive cashmere products. But what does a LP synthetic fiber jacket got over the average synthetic fiber jacket? Is the bamboo fiber in that nylon jacket sourced from an endangered species of bamboo? If the LP jacket has cashmere inside, why is she wearing cashmere in the summer?
Also trainers are sneakers/shoes, not pants.
And here I was thinking Loro Piana was something Liberace used to play.
Aug 28, 2016, 1:40 pm
#117
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
I'm not a resort person for my own travel, but I've planned enough of these for folks (I do Italy travel consulting as a side gig) and never had too much trouble finding these sorts of places.
Aug 28, 2016, 4:32 pm
#118
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 143
They also went to the cinema in a town nearby much to the surprise of the locals.
Aug 28, 2016, 4:51 pm
#119
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Aug 28, 2016, 6:28 pm
#120
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
FT has a luxury hotel forum. It's not a bad place to start for ideas. But honestly, if you're in the market, just googling will get you there.
I'm not a resort person for my own travel, but I've planned enough of these for folks (I do Italy travel consulting as a side gig) and never had too much trouble finding these sorts of places.
I'm not a resort person for my own travel, but I've planned enough of these for folks (I do Italy travel consulting as a side gig) and never had too much trouble finding these sorts of places.
The hotel looks very relaxing!