Miss Thrify’s guide to getting away for the mid-term
Ashford Castle is the best for a luxury mid-term break. Photo courtesy of Ashford Castle.
Are we there yet ? No. Are we there yet ? No. Sound familiar? Yes. The mid-term break is just around the corner.
By taking a mini-break, those of you with kids will have some respite from the ritual of tears, tantrums and Playstation fights, and those of you without kids won't need to duck for cover when all your best lunch spots are suddenly full of screaming kids.
This week Miss Thrifty looked at mid-term hotel breaks. I've also got a free hotel break to giveaway courtesy of the Dunboyne Castle Hotel - simply visit the TheSavvyShopper.ie to enter.
Best kid free haven
If you’re lucky enough to have packed the kids off to their grandparents you may have a look at the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford, Dublin. €180 will get you and a partner the delights of a luxury room, a welcome gift of a Bento Box including wine and chocolate strawberries and if that’s not enough there's also dinner at MyThai.
After a stress-free sleep in your boutique room you can start the day with a full Irish before considering whether to pick up the kids or just switch off the phone and stay for another day. The package also comes with exclusive discounted shopping deals at Dundrum Shopping centre but given it’s the holidays you might just wish to continue hiding in your boutique room.
Best midweek
The Dunboyne Castle Hotel has an excellent midweek package which should be everything you need to take the stress away. Crisp sheets, signature rooms, Hydrotherapy and a visit to the thermal suites will help release the stress and stop you tipping over the edge. By the time you're elegantly dressed and ready to saunter down for dinner at the award winning Ivy Brasserie, no one will ever be able to tell that only 24 hours ago you were the person angrily mashing spuds whilst threatening to cancel everybody's Christmas on account somebody's bold behaviour.
The Dunboyne Castle Hotel midweek package is available for €79 per person and includes access to the Hydrotherapy pool and Thermal suites, breakfast and, of course, dinner at the Ivy Brasserie. As they're also quite sympathetic to the madness that is mid-term they got in touch to offer a free mid-week break for two people including breakfast and an evening meal. To enter simply leave a comment at the thesavvyshopper.ie.
Best for kids
If you really must take the kids away with you then let it be the Waterford Castle Hotel. They are offering a two night 'Halloween getaway' which may well save all of you actually becoming monsters.
The package includes two nights bed and breakfast, one evening meal and passes to the children's play centre. The hotel is set in expansive grounds and offers afternoon tea, country walks, archery and should you need it - clay pigeon shooting.
The package is available for €450 based on a group of two adults and two children sharing.
Best for blowing the budget
There is an upgrade package available with this offer, but I'm not sure why you'd need it. €369 per person will get you and another three nights' bed and breakfast and two evening meals at the luxury Hayfield Manor Hotel. The hotel has some seriously nice pampering available with full access to an outdoor jacuzzi, steam room, pool and gym.
You’ll also get €50 each to spend at the hotel’s spa.
Obviously I understand that €369 is a lot in this harsh economic climate but you'll be swayed when I tell you the Hayfield Hotel comes with a snooze inducing check-out time of 1.30pm!
Best luxury Break
Some of the fussier types amongst you wouldn't be content unless your choice of hotel included a Chateaux. Some of you won't accept anything less than a historic castle. I doubt any of you would complain if your hotel included both.
The Ashford Castle Hotel and estate was once the playground of the Irish elite until the castle and grounds were developed into an oasis of 5 star luxury. Recommended by Conde Naste and with a host of famous clientele as guests the seriously luxurious mid-term package begins on October 23 and includes an overnight stay, Table d'Hote dining, full breakfast and suite accommodation for €395 per night based on two adults sharing.
Sinead Van Kampen is the editor of The Savvy Shopper . For a rundown on fashion and food bargains plus regular insider tips visit TheSavvyShopper.ie website.
- Sinead Van Kampen
