We’re all busy women.
And whether it’s a job you have to juggle, a college essay you have to conquer, or simply life just getting in your way – it can be hard to find some time alone with your other half.
Even though my boyfriend and I live together, we’re often consumed by work… or our phones, families, friends, life… and we don’t really spend time just being out and about with each other.
So, when an offer to stay at the Step House Hotel in Borris, Carlow popped into my email inbox, I wasn’t going to turn it down.
Last weekend, we set out on our way… and had a perfect weekend.
The hotel
The Step House Hotel can be totally deceiving on the outside – it looks lovely; well-kept and very pretty – but I was really impressed when I stepped inside its doors.
When you walk in, you are welcomed by an adjoining double staircase with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
After a swift check-in we climbed up the stairs to our room. The walls were filled with vintage paintings, and lavish, patterned wallpaper. Just taking those few steps up, it felt like we were away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
However, it was our bedroom that was the real show stopper…
The bedroom
As I walked into our room, the first thing that stood out to me was the four-poster mahogany bed. I felt like I was in a hotel in the south of France, not Carlow.
The gold wallpaper matched with the mahogany wardrobe and dresser, and we had two windows overlooking the neighbouring Borris House.
It was fab. Totally fab. And it had a big bath too which was a major plus.
The little perks
After we settled in, we we invited to watch a cooking demo by the head chef of the hotel, Alan Foley.
We were not expecting to be invited into the working kitchen, which was a lovely surprise. Everyone was busy chopping and cutting away behind the scenes while we watched Alan whip up some of the hotel’s popular dishes.
While we were watching, we also had a charcuterie plate and wine. We gobbled it up. It was all gone. And it was all delicious.
Now, I’m not a major fish lover, so when Alan handed me some mackerel to taste, I hesitated before taking a bite.
I am now a mackerel looover. It was ridiculously tasty and I even ordered it for dinner that night.
All of the dishes that Alan made were insanely good and hit every inch of my tastebuds. He was funny and chatty, as well as really hands-on and patient when we asked ALL the questions.
The downtime
After the cooking demo, we decided to take a wander around the village.
We ended up in the pub.
My boyfriend and I wanted to go into Borris House to look at the architecture and the beautiful grounds, but unfortunately, it was closed for a private function.
We walked down around the town for a few minutes, but O’Shea’s Pub was calling our names (as well as a few pints of Guinness).
After our little wander tipple, we headed back to the hotel room and got ready for dinner.
The room has coffee and tea facilities, a large flat screen TV, and plenty of chairs that you can rest upon, so while I was doing my make-up and hair, my boyfriend could sit back and relax with an Americano… which also stopped the perpetual “you’re taking too much time to get ready.”
Bliss.
The dinner
Dinner was insane.
As we sat down, we were welcomed by a lovely waiter who explained the whole menu to us and served us our wine. All the wine.
As I said before, I was so impressed by the mackerel chef Alan whipped up that I ordered it for my starter.
It came with cucumber chutney, seaweed, Yuzu lemon and a sesame tuile. It was light, juicy and full of flavour… and I am officially a mackerel convert.
For my main course, I opted for the confit of Tom Salter free range pork. This came with scallops, celeriac and an apple and fennel salad.
The pork was so tender inside, yet deliciously caramelised on the outside. It melted in my mouth along with the scallops, yet the salad gave a good bit of bite to the dish.
My boyfriend went for the fillet of Irish beef, with parsley puree, bone marrow crust and a confit of artichoke.
Both of our plates were completely empty when the waiter came to collect them!
The night
After dinner, we went to the bar in the hotel for a nightcap, and Marty and I ended up being the last ones in there.
The entire place, from the lobby, to the restaurant and bar, is so intimate. It feels like you’re in a home away from home and will instantly feel comfortable.
We’re not usually the ones for being last in the bar, but it’s like the Step House Hotel gets rid of the outside world, so you’re just there, enjoying the moment.
As we fell asleep on the hella comfy bed that night, I was pretty damn happy I decided to reply to that email.
The next day
In the morning, breakfast was served from 8-10am, so we went down at 9.30am (with slightly hungover heads and a fear that all the food would be gone).
The buffet was still flowing, and you could also order a hot breakfast, so of course, we both went for the full Irish.
Before we left, we wanted to explore the town of Borris a bit more, so we rambled around and ended up walking down to The Viaduct.
It’s pretty huge and impressive, and stands out over the relatively flat landscape of the town and surrounding villages.
Unfortunately, we had to go back to the hotel to pack up our things and leave before Hurricane Ophelia got the better of us.
As we drove away, my boyfriend said, “We’ll definitely be back here,” and with it being only an hour and a half away from Dublin, I second that… we definitely will.
