Cliff at Lyons  

On the edge of the historic Lyons Demesne in rural Kildare, about a 30-minute drive from Dublin and roughly 34 km from Dublin Airport. This luxury guesthouse sits on the banks of the Grand Canal amid orchards and lawned gardens. Nearby attractions include the K Club, Castletown House, Leixlip Castle, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo and the Guinness Storehouse.

Housed in rose-clad Georgian buildings that include a restored mill and dovecot, Cliff at Lyons blends country character with contemporary touches. There are 39 individually decorated guestrooms plus family-friendly two- and three-bedroom cottages, each with refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, safes and bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and designer toiletries.

Relax in the spa with massages, body treatments and facials, or unwind in the sauna and join a yoga session; kids have playrooms and there are picnic and barbecue areas for casual afternoons. The property offers a coffee shop, bar/lounge and a daily complimentary reception, and you can expect canal-side and orchard views when you wake up.

Complimentary wireless internet, free valet parking, a 24-hour front desk and concierge keep business travelers comfortable. Additional services include laundry/dry cleaning and complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and the property is within easy reach of nearby business parks and the Citywest Convention Centre.

Home to The Orangery, Trellis, The Pantry and The Well in the Garden, the estate serves a complimentary full breakfast daily (8–11 AM) and offers a coffee shop and bar for lighter bites and drinks. The dining outlets echo the Irish country experience that defines the property.