Bellinter House

"Designed in 1750 by Richard Castle, the architect who created Dublin’s Parliament Building, Bellinter House was for centuries a sprawling estate and more recently a convent. Now this meticulously restored Palladian-style gem, on 12 green acres a 45-minute drive north of Dublin, has opened as a country house hotel with a hip twist. Cowhide covers the original pitch pine flooring, and tasteful embellishments, such as the modern artworks and the white paper bull’s-head wall sconce, give a contemporary feel to this house of vast proportions. The 34 rooms couldn’t be more comfortable, and there’s ample diversion with two pools (one indoors), a screening room, a terrific restaurant, and walks along the River Boyne. The combined effect is a welcome as warm as the peat fires that burn in the public rooms."