Resort & Retreat Awards 2024 | 41 Most Tranquil Self-Catering Heritage Accommodation 2024 - County Down Loughbrickland Courtyard Northern Ireland’s County Down is home to two exceptional self-catering accommodation units housed within Loughbrickland Courtyard, the 19th century former coach house at Loughbrickland House. This remarkable property can be found just off the A1 linking Belfast and Dublin, and its duo of accommodation offerings, Coolnacran and Lisnagade – which sleep six and four respectively – serve as the ideal home base from which to explore both this area and the wider country. From the spacious living of the three double bedrooms and twin en suite facilities encompassed within Coolnacran, to the cosier double twin en suite bedrooms Lisnagade boasts, Loughbrickland Courtyard’s duo of quality accommodation strikes the balance between tradition and modernity at every turn. Situated in what was once this estate’s coach house, both of these apartments have been named after local townlands, capturing the essence of the authentic local experience that this team aim to provide throughout a guest’s stay. Despite the size discrepancy, both of these apartments share the same innate commitment to excellence, having been transformed into the comfortable and tranquil apartments that they are today by utilising local materials and the services of exemplary local tradesmen. Similarities between these two accommodations do not end there, as they both feature an entrance hall, living rooms overlooking the grounds, gas fireplaces, and fully equipped kitchens, to name just a handful of their distinguishing features. As is often the case with hospitality, it is the little things that add up to make a big difference at Loughbrickland Courtyard. Aside from including all of the amenities that guests have come to expect from modern self-catering accommodation – linen, tableware, cutlery, tourist information, and a hairdryer spring to mind – this property goes that extra mile by providing guests with a welcome basket comprised of everything from handmade local bread and jam to butter, milk, juice, and even starter packs for the dishwasher and on-site laundry facilities. These baskets also contain goodies freshly baked by Evelyn, the manager at Loughbrickland Courtyard, on the very day that her guests arrive. Evelyn is ultimately the person responsible for making sure that all guests have a great time, and she remains readily available over the course of their time there to guarantee that this is the case. Her commitment to this can be seen from the moment a guest arrives, with Evelyn on hand to provide them with a personal welcome, answer any questions, and introduce them to their temporary home. With Evelyn having been in this manager position since the accommodation first opened in 2007, the team today operate as a well-oiled machine and know what it takes to leave patrons satisfied. Everything from cleanliness and tidiness to displaying fresh flowers is taken care of efficiently, and everyone is on the same page concerning what their responsibilities are and what is expected of them. Aside from just their typical duties, this team also help guests to maximise this beautiful location, leading guided walks around the grounds, for example. Perhaps as a result of the personalised service embodied by Evelyn and her team, something that is becoming increasingly sought after across the travel industry, guests seem to be staying for longer at Loughbrickland Courtyard. The opening of the Game of Thrones Studio Tour just down the road in Banbridge has also contributed to this, with fans flocking to County Down since many key scenes were filmed there at such recurring shooting locations as Inch Abby, Tollymore Forest Park, and Castle Ward. Of course, guests do not have to stay local, and Loughbrickland Courtyard is renowned for serving as a great base to explore the whole of Northern Ireland, from the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast to the world-famous Giant’s Causeway in Ballycastle, to touch on just a couple. Since there is so much to see and do, the cottages have welcomed back many a familiar face over the years. To adapt to their needs, Evelyn and co. see the likes of the books provided in the cottages rotated, offering just a glimpse of the high presentation standards they uphold. Set against a beautiful backdrop of heritage and tranqullity, the self-catering accommodation at Loughbrickland Courtyard is the perfect place to stay and explore Northern Ireland, which offers fun for all the family. Named as the Most Tranquil Self-Catering Heritage Accommodation 2024 - County Down, we cannot recommend these cottages enough, as seen in the fact that this is their fifth consecutive year featuring in the magazine in some capacity. Contact Details Contact: Jean Whyte Company: Loughbrickland Courtyard Web Address: https://loughbricklandcourtyard.com
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