Dunbrody House, Co Wexford

Set in 200 acres of beautiful parkland, Dunbrody Country House Hotel is an intimate 1830s Georgian manor and a charming hotel with a unique atmosphere.

The bedrooms and suites overlook the magnificent gardens and are spacious and luxurious with a very high standard of facilities. Dunbrody is known as a "foodie hotel" and has won many awards and rave reviews from food writers over the years.

This is an informal place, which encourages real relaxation and truly has the feel of a home away from home.

Echo Lodge, Ballingarry, Co Limerick

Echo Lodge is a particularly stylish country house, set in lush and fertile countryside close to the little village of Ballingarry. Its restaurant, The Mustard Seed, is famous and loved with an informal atmosphere but serious food. Award wining chefs create memorable meals from local ingredients and  vegetables and herbs from the restaurant's own gardens.

The interior is decorated with both taste and exuberance, using antiques throughout the public spaces and the 17 individually decorated and well appointed bedrooms. Echo Lodge is a special place, to which guests return again and again.

Marlfield House, Co Wicklow

Marlfield is an elegant Regency style mansion, beautifully restored and filled with antiques, period furniture, valuable works of art and sumptuous fabrics.

The reputation of Marlfield was built on its food much of which is grown in the garden. Fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit grow abundantly and are gathered daily. Wild salmon, Spring lamb, Bannow Bay oysters, Wexford mussels and beef all feature very strongly on the menu.

The area is a paradise for garden lovers, with several very famous gardens including Powerscourt, Kilruddery, Mount Usher, Kilmokee, Johnstown Castle and a number of other gardens within 45 minutes drive.