Step House Hotel  

In the heritage village of Borris on Main St, County Carlow, Ireland. This 4-star boutique hotel sits beneath the heather-clad Blackstairs Mountains and is a short drive from Borris Golf Club (3 minutes) and Clashganny Lock (7 minutes). Blackstairs Eco Trails and Duiske Abbey are also nearby.

A beautifully restored Georgian town house turned boutique hotel with 20 well-appointed rooms. Interiors are warm and charming with flat-screen TVs, coffee/tea makers and hairdryers; some rooms offer terraces and living areas with kitchen/fridge. Expect garden views and a relaxed, elegant vibe.

The Cellar Restaurant and a bar/lounge set the tone for relaxed evenings. On-site perks include a sauna, complimentary WiFi throughout, free self-parking, concierge, 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, newspapers, safe-deposit box and ironing facilities. Continental breakfast is served daily from 8:00–10:30 AM; room service available during limited hours. Take in the garden or the nearby mountain backdrop each morning.

The Cellar Restaurant showcases regional south-east Irish dishes and refined local flavors. A daily complimentary continental breakfast gets the day started, and the bar/lounge is perfect for after-dinner drinks. Room service is available for quieter nights in.