Radisson SAS Farnham Estate Hotel, Cavan, Republic of Ireland

In August 2006 Radisson opened their new Farnham Estate/Spa Resort in Ireland. The hotel is located on a 1,300 acre country estate in Cavan, which is in the middle of the Irish Lakeland region. Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts signed an agreement to manage the hotel in 2005.

The hotel is also ideally placed as a conference centre being equidistant between Dublin and Belfast. The Farnham offers 158 bedrooms and suites, a variety of excellent restaurants, a lobby bar and a fully equipped conference centre (full Wi-Fi and internet facilities and also a helicopter pad).

Roy McCabe, head of the McCabe pharmacy chain in Ireland, purchased the Farnham Estate for just over €6.35m in October 2001 after the death of Lord Farnham, whose family, the Maxwells, had owned the estate since 1664. Since this time the old house has been fully refurbished to provide luxurious guest suites, public reception rooms and a cellar bar.

The original rooms of the 18th century Great House (built in 1780) have been fully restored to their pristine opulence and guests are able to relax in the luxurious surroundings of the music room, the boardroom and the boudoir.

The project also involved the connection of elements of the original buildings including Farnham House with new contemporary spaces. This is the first time the house has been open as a public/commercial enterprise in three hundred years. The project is estimated to have cost over €85m. DBFL Structural Engineers were involved in the restoration project.

SPA FACILITIES

The 40,000ft² Farnham Estate Health Spa was designed by one of the world's leading spa designers, Heinz Schletterer of Austria (Schletterer Wellness and Spa Design). The spa, which opened at the end of August 2006, has 19 dry and wet treatment rooms. These include a trilogy suite and three luxury treatment rooms (each able to accommodate two people for simultaneous treatments), a thermal suite, relaxation rooms and lounges with soft lighting and a magnificent indoor/outdoor infinity pool designed to accentuate the stunning views over the Farnham Estate meadows and woodlands.

There is a fully-equipped gymnasium, a hair finishing salon, a pilates/yoga room, a spa retail outlet and a restaurant serving a light and health conscious menu. The spa also boasts a glazed meditation garden, hot and cold water splash pools, a herbal aroma bath and a salad and juice bar. The health spa offers a selection of treatment products from Kerstin Florian and Aromatherapy Associates.

RESTAURANTS

The hotel has a series of fine restaurants starting with the 'Botanica' Restaurant; this is a contemporary lounge bar and brasserie style restaurant serving a simple and creative cuisine based on fine Irish produce, with emphasis on the Irish botanical world. The restaurant has two excellent outlooks; on one side looking over the Farnham lawn and the other onto a decorative courtyard.

The interior is flooded with natural light and has an airy atmosphere. The decoration colour scheme uses the warm accents of organic colours and also features botanical designs. Private dining can be arranged at the restaurant for groups of up to 12 people at the Chef's Table, which in addition to being part of the restaurant also forms part of the kitchen.

The Botanica Bar where guests can also relax and eat is situated on a raised deck in the lobby of the hotel. Guests can sit on the edge and observe the scene below or for private relaxation retreat to the timber clad snug area. Drinks and snacks are available at the bar throughout the day. The Wine Goose Cellar Bar is in the basement of the Great House and also features a wine cellar.

FACILITIES

The Farnham Estate has over four miles of walking trails, which wind their way through ancient redwood, cedar, copper beech, Scots pine and yew trees around the estate. In addition, there is fishing on Farnham Lake and 1,300 acres of parkland and meadow pastures. The estate gardens contain exotic plants, orchards, a Victorian rock garden, a crannog, paths, horse riding trails and mountain bike routes.

The estate also includes the massive Farnham Lake, in addition to two other large lakes that form part of the network of loughs and islands stretching south from Upper Lough Erne. In late 2007 an 18-hole golf course designed by Jeff Howes will be opening on the estate. The facility will also include a driving range, clubhouse and a golf academy.

PROPERTIES ON THE ESTATE

A series of 20 retreats/holiday villas have also been built in the garden and orchard of the walled estate. These are being marketed by Kelly Walsh Property Advisors and Don Crotty Auctioneers. Prices range from €400,000 to €700,000 for two, three and four bedroom houses ranging from 104m² (1,120ft²) to 233m² (2,510ft²).

The full development of 53 residential houses is being carried out by Mere Capital and Bennett Construction. The second phase will involve the old stables of Farnham House; the architect is Gilroy McMahon. This scheme requires a €50m investment.