High praise and thoroughly deserved too.

Adare Manor is one of just five hotels around the globe shortlisted for the title of ‘Hotel of the Year’ in the ‘Best of the Best Awards 2018’ by Virtuoso, a network of the best luxury travel agencies worldwide. The Limerick hotel, which was reopened in November 2017 after an extensive restoration programme that took nearly two years to complete, has been shortlisted alongside hotels in the UK, France, Mauritius and Morocco for the prestigious award, with the winner due to be announced in Las Vegas in August. Voting by Virtuoso agents for the award and for a series of other categories including best bar – for which The Horseshoe Bar in The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin has earned a nomination – opened on Monday (28 May) and will conclude on 12 June, with the winners to be announced on 15 August. The nomination comes after Adare Manor was named amongst the best in the world by Condé Nast Traveler earlier this year and following an expansion that included a new 42-bedroom wing to increase accommodations to 104 guest rooms, and a ballroom which can host up to 350 guests. Just last month, Rory McIlroy was amongst those in town to help launch Adare Manor’s newly rebuilt, redesigned and remodelled golf course, while The Carriage House Restaurant, Terrace and Bar opened earlier this month. Commenting on the nomination, Paul Heery, General Manager at Adare Manor said: “We are delighted to be nominated in the Virtuoso ‘Best of the Best Awards’ this year for ‘Hotel of the Year’. “It has been a very exciting few months since our reopening last November, and to now be nominated is a huge honour. We have received huge support both locally and internationally over the past few months, and this nomination is a great testament to our world-class team, offering a personalised service, ensuring guests enjoy every minute they spend at Adare Manor. “The luxury surroundings and fine dining at the resort makes a visit to us a truly memorable home from home experience.”