Some people who travel to Galway never move from the city centre, while others get no further than Salthill.
And usually with good reason, as such a good time is to be had in the City of Tribes, but with Connemara sitting pretty just beyond the city's walls, it would be a shame for anyone visiting not to hit the road and explore one of the most scenic parts of the west coast of Ireland.
Staying at the Twelve Hotel in Bearna gives you a chance to experience the best of both sides of Galway life as it is located at the gateway to Connemara, while being no more than a 10-minute drive from the centre of Galway city.
As you make your way out the Connemara Road to Bearna, you cannot but marvel at the amazing views with the blurred Burren landscape framing the magnificent Galway Bay that rolls out to the Atlantic Ocean.
And while you will be mesmerised by the sprawling Connemara coastline, make sure you don't miss your turn into the Twelve Hotel at the main junction, in the small town of Bearna.
Once inside, you leave the rustic and rural surroundings for a very modern and stylish interior, but while the aesthetics certainly change, that unique Galway ambience definitely remains.
The Accommodation
After spending the best part of the afternoon travelling by car from Dublin, I was looking forward to a bit of down time in the hotel room.
But the tiredness lifted as I entered my luxury suite, as you are immediately impressed by the neat design and many features waiting to be explored.
The room's chilled temperature and subtle lighting was also the perfect antidote to the hot summer's day outside.
A handwritten welcome card and some complimentary tasty treats greeted me in the kitchen/bar area of the living quarters, while there was an immediate dilemma whether to hook up the iPod to the docking station or to slump back on the couch and enjoy a movie on one of the two flat-screen televisions on offer.
The iPod won out and the king-size bed also had to be tested as I leafed through some of the hotel literature and magazines on offer.
I later succumbed to the TV, which is slightly tilted from the wall to suit you as you lie in bed watching a movie - it is little touches like this that really show the thought that went into this whole Twelve concept.
As hotel rooms go, this place is faultless. Everything is that little bit classier than most hotels in this price range, whether it is the ever-changing mood lighting in the bathroom, the custom-designed furniture, the hardwood floors or the luxury Voya toiletries. It is clear that the people who designed this place were looking at maximising your hotel experience and not just trying to make the place look hip and trendy.
And as for the most important feature, the bed, well as a man who is fond of a bit of a snooze, let's just say it was a struggle to make it down in time for breakfast the following morning. Another thumbs up.
The only problem when you are staying in a place like this is that you are likely to spend an awful lot of time indoors, such is the comfort and class of each room.
No bad thing, I suppose, in these parts as while the sun was shining for the duration of my stay, there will many days in the West when the weather isn't so favourable - but you'll have no problem lazing around this hotel for a day or two.
The Hotel
You can tell that a lot of thought went into the design of the interior, as specially designed bespoke furniture and handcrafted pieces by local artists sit side-by-side throughout the hotel.
The Twelve has 48 boutique-style guest rooms, its own bakery, a gastro pub, a top class restaurant and a private dining room that can be used for boutique weddings of about 100 or so guests.
This place is perfect for people who see their hotel as a big part of their travelling experience and not just somewhere to dump the suitcase and sleep at night.
The hotel describes itself as a marriage of modern and traditional, united by elegance and General Manager Fergus O'Halloran explained his concept of the hotel as I got the grand tour of the place.
He said: "The Twelve is a hotel for those who enjoy culture, fun, comforts and great culinary experiences.
"It is a place that offers pampering and wellbeing, the healthful coexisting with the decadent, where the elderly are rejuvenated and the young feel mature."
The Food
And while the décor and design of the place is central to the Twelve concept, there is just as much emphasis on the dining experience with a first class restaurant, the West, located on the premises. The chef cooks with organic produce picked locally, while the wine collection is handpicked by experienced sommelier O'Halloran.
The West also offers passionate foodies the chance to dine at the Chef's Table within the kitchen where you can learn about every stage of the preparation of the meal.
Guests are also encouraged to roll up their sleeves for a unique hands-on experience. With the Head Chef explaining all aspects of the food and the aforementioned sommelier looking after the wines, it all makes for a very enjoyable dining experience.
And there is also the Champagne Bar within West, which serves up to 20 different wines and bubbles by the glass along with freshly shucked oysters, if you're into that sort of thing.
For a more relaxed dining experience, the Pins Lounge Bar also has an impressive and extensive menu and it is no surprise that it was named 'Best Gastro Pub in Ireland' in 2008. High-quality seafood dishes sit comfortably on the wide-ranging menu with top-notch bar food - the pepperoni pizza being particularly tasty.
The Pins also gets a lot of passing trade as it opens onto the main street in Bearna, which makes for a great atmosphere, which is often lacking in hotel bars, while you'll be entertained by live music sessions in the bar every weekend.
The Voya Spa
The Twelve has embraced the Voya seaweed treatments, which is a 100% organic spa product range home grown by the Celtic Seaweed Baths in the West of Ireland.
Unfortunately, the hotel doesn't have a separate spa area, which would really add to the overall experience, but it does have local masseuses who administer treatments in one of the customised rooms. I indulged in a head, neck and shoulders massage, which was very relaxing if a little short at 25 minutes.
Another option is the in-room seaweed baths, which are apparently great for detoxifying, recuperating, de-stressing, pain relieving and moisturising.
The Verdict
A touch of class compared to many other hotels in this price range. The Twelve is well worth a visit if you are travelling around Galway. And many of the gourmet special offers make it a great value stay, considering the quality of the food on offer.
The only drawback is that a taxi into Galway and back will add about €35-€40 to the price of your night out - a small price to pay perhaps for a truly enjoyable boutique hotel experience.
Ed Leahy
The Twelve Hotel, Galway - Exclusive Deal for RTÉ.ie Readers
Stay for three nights B&B in a luxury suite at The Twelve boutique hotel in Bearna, Co Galway with two dinners included for just €195 per person.
Your three-night, midweek extended break consists of three great nights accommodation in a Twelve Luxury Suite, followed by wonderful cooked to order breakfasts each morning and two nights of gourmet dining.
Offer is valid Sunday to Thursday.
Bookings must be made before 10 July and is subject to availability.
Quote "RTÉ Offer" when booking.
The Twelve Hotel, Bearna Village, Co Galway, Ireland
Telephone: +353 91 597 000
Fax: +353 91 597 003
Email: enquire@thetwelvehotel.ie
www.thetwelvehotel.ie
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