The Landscapes & Gardens of Donegal

Your Room

Standard Rooms

Each of the standard rooms radiates character and has its own distinctive décor. Handpicked antiques accumulated by the house over the past 250 years add a sense of the history of the house to each bedroom. Rooms vary in size with some being particularly spacious while others have scintillating views of the lough or gardens. Bathrooms have a bath or shower and an excellent night’s sleep is a certainty in the luxurious double or twin beds.

Superior Rooms

With beguiling views of Lough Swilly or the gardens which change in appearance by the season, each of the superior rooms is spacious and luxurious in equal measure. In the new section of the house, the Main House, the rooms have a contemporary feel with balcony or patio and some even with their own electric fire. In the old section of the house, the Regency House, the grand superior rooms allow you to step back to the early 19th century and admire the original features, traditional décor and landscape around Rathmullan House which has remained much the same for generations.

Single Rooms

The single room is lovingly finished in the atmospheric Georgian house and renowned for its period charm. The single bedroom offers a small double bed and a private bathroom.

Your Dining

At the hotel’s The Cook & Gardner Restaurant, the menu is updated regularly. What you can be sure of is that the seafood will be fresh, the vegetables will be local, and each dish will have that signature touch from the team of chefs. The Cook & Gardener is about more than just the setting, as the name suggests. When you dine here, you will see lamb from Pat Patton in Rathmullan, fish landed in Greencastle and vegetables straight from the walled garden on your menu. The restaurant is proud of its position in the heart of the small community and will continue to work with local suppliers wherever possible.

Your Space

The main bar at Rathmullan House, Batt’s Bar, derives its name from the family that occupied the house for over 100 years. The Batt family are still fondly remembered by many in Rathmullan and their portraits can be seen adorning the walls around the house. While the house has had many alterations, additions and extensions throughout the years, the lounges have remained true to their original design. With four main sitting rooms facing Lough Swilly, you may find yourself enjoying a pre-dinner drink in Batts Bar, admiring the colonial Indian décor in the Raja Room, engrossed in a novel in front of the library fire, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet in the adult only drawing room. The lounges are designed for comfort, ambience and above all relaxation, the only problem being that you may not want to leave.

With the inviting waters of Lough Swilly on the doorstep of Rathmullan House, a dip in the ocean is always an option and one of the most picturesque beaches in Donegal is at the bottom of the front lawn. It is often remarked that the two-mile golden sandy beach would not be out of place in any holiday brochure in the world. However, for guests who may not be quite willing to brave the Donegal elements, the 15-metre indoor swimming pool provides a much gentler opportunity to work on your backstroke. The heated swimming pool is open exclusively to guests at Rathmullan House.

The Gardens

A stroll around the seven acres of gardens at Rathmullan House will leave you in little doubt as to the level of care and attention that has been put into their upkeep over the past 50 years. From the front door you can decide between a stroll to the bottom of the front lawn, a seat in the tranquillity garden listening to a soothing fountain, or a walk through the Walled Garden admiring the array of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers on show. The Georgian Walled Garden forms the centrepiece and has been lovingly restored by Bob Wheeler and his gardening team. As the name of the restaurant, ‘The Cook & Gardener’ suggests, wherever possible ingredients are used straight from the Walled Garden for the dinner menu. On any given day you are likely to bump into a chef or two in the garden, picking ingredients which you will find on your plate later that evening. At the bottom of the front lawn you will find Batts Walk which will lead you through the woods, along the beach finding all sorts of flora and fauna as you travel. The hotel is situated in an area of extraordinary natural scenery. The hard work that goes into the gardens at Rathmullan House is a testament to the gardening team led by Mr Wheeler and the results are there for all guests to enjoy.

Hotel Directory

Please find below further details pertaining to the hotel.

Rathmullan House is a rather special place and one of Donegal’s loveliest hotels. Built as a grand Georgian holiday home it became a hotel in 1962 and is now run by Mark and Mary, the second generation of the Wheeler family. Sitting on the shore of Lough Swilly it has the best of both worlds, lovely gardens and a long sandy beach, perfect for an after-dinner stroll.

For the duration of our tour we have taken all of the hotel’s 30 rooms and whether you have chosen to stay in the main house or the Regency style wing, all of the rooms offer great style and comfort, each having a unique feel that only a privately owned and run hotel can successfully manage.

The public rooms are also a delight with ornate doorways, ceilings, marble fireplaces and period furniture exuding a peaceful Irish country house charm.

The team of experienced chefs have built a strong reputation for their exciting and original dishes using local produce and the food at Rathmullan will not disappoint. Guests return year after year because of the excellent dining and we will enjoy a delicious dinner each evening in the elegant dining room.

You can also expect a warm welcome in the bar and there are several lounges designed for your comfort and relaxation with views over the Lough.

ADDRESS

Rathmullan House Hotel Rathmullan Terrace Kinnegar Rathmullan Co. Donegal F92 YA0F Ireland

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT

Check in time is from 4.00 pm and check out is by 11.30 am.

COMMUNICATIONS

To contact the hotel please call +353 74 915 8188 or e-mail reception@rathmullanhouse.com.

There is a phone in your hotel room, which has access to an outside line. Outgoing call costs can be found on the information next to your phone. You can obtain an outside line by dialling 9. To dial rooms 1-9 prefix with 20 to dial rooms 10-42 prefix with 2.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian and gluten free, please notify the Reservations Department at Noble Caledonia. We regret that not all dietary requests can be guaranteed although we will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Once checked in, please speak to the Maitre ‘D at dinner on your first night to reconfirm your requirements.

DINING & DRINKING

Breakfast is served in the Cook & Gardener restaurant from 8.00 am to 11.00 am daily.

Lunch is served daily from 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm in the lounges or restaurant. A snack menu of sandwiches is available from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm.

Dinner is served nightly in the Cook & Gardener from 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm (to 9.00 pm Friday & Saturday nights). A resident’s bar is open daily from 12 noon and last orders are at 1.00 am.

DOCTOR

The surgery in Rathmullan is open Monday to Friday and can be contacted on (074) 9158416.

Out of hours is covered by Now Doc on 1850 400911 (dial 9 for an outside line).

DRESS CODE

You may dress however you feel comfortable during the day and, in the evenings, the dress code is smart casual.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

We request that as soon as you enter your room, you carefully read the safety instructions in the guest information pack in your room. In an emergency please contact Reception. In an out of hours emergency, lift the handset and dial 9 for outside line then dial 086 163 4624.

A member of staff is resident each night so this number will connect you directly to them. Please use this number for emergencies only. The reception is manned from 7.30 am onwards so if it is a non-emergency issue please be thoughtful and leave the request until the morning. Please be aware of the fire exits and in the event of an emergency, please make your way to the lawn opposite the front door. The hotel will take a roll call to ensure that all guests are present. If the alarm sounds, please vacate the hotel. Fire Alarms are tested every Wednesday at 12 noon. The alarm will sound at this time but please do not follow the fire assembly drill during this test.

END OF STAY QUESTIONNAIRE

We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you by your Tour Leader.

GRATUITIES

Gratuities have been included in your holiday price.

HEATING

All rooms have central heating which is operated as follows: The heating in rooms 1-27 is controlled by turning the knob on the radiator. The heating in rooms 28-42 is controlled by the thermostat on the wall. If the thermostat in these rooms is turned up and there is no heat check the radiators are turned on. Rooms 33-42 have under-floor heating, so the reaction time is a little slower. These rooms also have an electric fire which can be switched on at the wall.

HOUSEKEEPING

Extra blankets and pillows can be obtained from housekeeping. If you require foam or feather pillows or toiletries, please dial 200.

LAUNDRY

The hotel provides a limited laundry service. Please ensure that any items to be laundered are left in reception before 9.30 am and are clearly marked.

LIFT

There are no lifts.

LOST PROPERTY

Before you check out, please check your hotel room to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia directly. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection, and any costs incurred will be at your own expense.

MAIL

Letters or postcards can be left at reception and the team will be happy to assist with postage. Postage can be bought and charged to your room account.

NEWS

News channels are available on your TV in your hotel room. Newspapers are available to read in the lounge.

PUBLIC AREAS

The Cook & Gardner Restaurant The menu is updated regularly depending on what has just landed in Greencastle or which vegetables are in season in the garden. What you can be sure of is that the seafood will be fresh, the vegetables will be local, and each dish will have that signature touch from the team of chefs. The Cook & Gardener is about more than just the setting, as the name suggests. When you dine here, you will see lamb from Pat Patton in Rathmullan, fish landed in Greencastle and vegetables straight from the walled garden on your menu. The restaurant is proud of its position in the heart of the small community and will continue to work with local suppliers wherever possible. Batt’s

Bar

The main bar at Rathmullan House, derives its name from the family that occupied the house for over 100 years. The Batt family are still fondly remembered by many in Rathmullan and their portraits can be seen adorning the walls around the house. In summer the window tables offer the perfect view of the glistening waters of Lough Swilly.

Lounges

While the house has had many alterations, additions and extensions throughout the years, the lounges have remained true to their original design. With four main sitting rooms facing Lough Swilly, you will find a view of the beautifully manicured lawns. Depending on the time or occasion, you may be having a pre-dinner drink in Batts Bar, admiring the colonial Indian décor in the Raja Room, engrossed in a novel in front of the library fire, or simply enjoying the peace and quiet in the adult only drawing room. The lounges are designed for comfort, ambiance and above all relaxation.

The Gardens

A stroll around the seven acres of gardens at Rathmullan House will leave you in little doubt as to the level of care and attention that has been put into their upkeep over the past 50 years. From the front door you can decide between a stroll to the bottom of the front lawn, a seat in the tranquillity garden listening to a soothing fountain, or a walk through the Walled Garden admiring the array of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers on show. The Georgian Walled Garden forms the centrepiece and has been lovingly restored by Bob Wheeler and his gardening team. As the name of the restaurant, ‘The Cook & Gardener’ suggests, wherever possible ingredients are used straight from the Walled Garden for the dinner menu. On any given day you are likely to bump into a chef or two in the garden, picking ingredients which you will find on your plate later that evening. At the bottom of the front lawn you will find Batts Walk which will lead you through the woods, along the beach finding all sorts of flora and fauna as you travel. The hotel situated in an area of extraordinary natural scenery. The hard work that goes into the gardens at Rathmullan House is a testament to the gardening team led by Mr Wheeler and the results are there for all guests to enjoy.

Swimming Pool

With the inviting waters of Lough Swilly on the doorstep of Rathmullan House, a dip in the ocean is always an option. For guests who may not be quite willing to brave the Donegal elements, the 15-metre indoor swimming pool provides a much gentler opportunity to work on your backstroke. The heated swimming pool is open exclusively to guests at Rathmullan House.

The Beach

To find one of the most picturesque beaches in Donegal at the bottom of the front lawn, often takes first time guests by surprise. Rathmullan Beach is a summer haven for holiday makers. It is often remarked that the two-mile golden sandy beach would not be out of place in any holiday brochure in the world.

ROOM ACCOUNT

All guests will have their own “room account”. This allows you to charge any expenses to your room and then settle your bill at the Reception Desk at the end of your stay. Prices are shown and charged in Euros. Your room account can be paid by: • Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard) • Cash (Euros)

ROOMS

Standard Rooms

Each of the standard rooms radiate character and has its own distinctive décor. Handpicked antiques accumulated by the house over the past 250 years add a sense of the history to each bedroom. Rooms vary in size and view. Bathrooms have a bath or shower and an excellent night’s sleep is a certainty in the luxurious double or twin beds.

Room 1 Standard Room with (fixed) double bed, floral soft furnishings and a good sized bathroom with combined bath & shower. Location: Top of the main stairs to right at the side of the house with garden views.

Room 7 A small Standard Room with double bed and a bathroom with combined shower and bath. Location: Top of the main stairs along the corridor in the old part of house with lovely views over the Lough and garden.

Room 12 Standard Room (twin or double) with a Chinese theme and bathroom with combined shower and bath. Location: Top of the main stairs along the corridor to the side of the house. Room 16 Standard Room (twin or double) with a blue theme and bathroom with shower only. Location: Top of the main stairs along the corridor at the side of the house.

Room 31 Standard Room with double or twin bed configuration and bathroom with shower only. The room is traditionally furnished with a door leading to the garden patio. Location: Ground floor with garden views.

Room 32 Standard Room with a four-poster double bed and a bathroom with a combined shower and bath. The room is traditionally furnished with a door leading to the garden patio. Location: Ground floor with garden views.

Superior Rooms

With beguiling views of Lough Swilly or the gardens which change in appearance by the season, each of the superior rooms is spacious and luxurious in equal measure. In the new section of the house, the rooms have a contemporary feel with balcony or patio. In the old section of the house, the grand superior rooms allow you to step back to the early 19th century and admire the original features, traditional décor and landscape around Rathmullan House which has remained much the same for generations.

Room 2 Superior Room with a zip and link king size bed (double or twin). There is a sitting room and a good sized bathroom with combined bath & shower. Location: Top of the main stairs at the side of the house with views of the garden.

Room 4 Superior Room with a zip & link bed (double or twin), Rennie Mackintosh styled soft furnishings and bathroom with free standing bath and separate shower. Location: Top of the main stairs to the left in the old part of the house with a lovely traditional feel. Fantastic views over Lough Swilly and the gardens.

Room 6 Superior Room with king size double bed (double or twin) and a free-standing bath and separate shower. Location: Top of the main stairs along the corridor with Lough views.

Room 8 Superior Room with double bed and a bathroom with combined shower and bath. Location: Top of main stairs to left with views over the Lough and gardens.

Room 17 Very spacious traditionally styled Superior Room with a fixed double bed and a separate sitting area with sofa, separate dressing room and great large bathroom with separate shower and freestanding bath. Location: Top of the main stairs along the corridor at the back of the hotel. There is a step leading into the room.

Room 30 Superior Room with a king size zip and link bed (double or twin) and bathroom with combined bath and shower. There is a door which leads out to the garden patio. Location: Ground floor with garden views.

Rooms 23-26 Large Superior Rooms with balcony which are furnished with antiques and bold prints but with a modern feel. All feature a spacious bathroom with separate showers and baths. Location: Top of main stairs with six steps up to the next floor. There are views over the front avenue and gardens.

The bed configurations are as follows:

Room 23 - King size zip and link bed (double or twin).

Room 24 - King size double only.

Room 25 - King size zip and link bed (double or twin).

Room 26 - Four-poster double bed.

Room 28 & 29 Superior Rooms with a six foot zip and link bed (double or twin) and a bathroom with separate shower and bath. There is door which leads to the garden patio area which is furnished with two chairs and a table. These are beautiful relaxing rooms furnished with antiques and stunning bathrooms. Location: Left from the reception area towards the pool. These rooms are located on the ground floor and have garden views.

Rooms 33-42 These rooms are all part of the new Regency wing which was completed in July 2004. All of these Superior Rooms are individually themed and styled with under-floor heating, separate baths and showers, electrically operated fires and fantastic views over the gardens Location: All Regency rooms are on ground floor except for 37 which is on first floor and 41 and 42 which are on the second floor. The bed configurations and room specifications are as follows:

Room 33 King size zip and link bed (twin or double) with a blue theme, wooden floor and doors which lead onto the garden patio.

Room 34 King size zip and link bed (twin or double) with a marine theme and wooden floors and doors that lead onto the garden patio.

Room 35 Fixed double-bedded room with wooden floors and doors which lead onto the garden patio.

Room 36 Fixed double-bedded room with wooden floors and doors leading to the garden patio.

Room 37 King size zip and link bed (twin or double) with a fantastic large bathroom. The room has a lovely fresh interior with fantastic views over the gardens and Lough in the distance.

Room 38 King size zip and link bed (twin or double) with botanical inspired furnishings and prints There are great garden and sea views.

Room 39 King size zip and link bed (twin or double), this William Morris inspired room features garden and sea views.

Room 40 This room has an Art Deco feel with a fixed double bed and great views of the side garden.

Room 41 A lovely room with a fixed double bed and commanding views of the Swilly. Doors lead out to a private balcony.

Room 42 Twin or double-bedded room with great side views of the garden.

Single Rooms

Room 5 Small cosy Single Room with double bed and a floral theme and feminine feel. The bathroom features a combined shower and bath. Location: Top of the main stairs to the left. This is the only single room with a view over the Lough and gardens.

SAFE

The management cannot accept responsibility for any items left in bedrooms. Valuables may be deposited in the safe at reception.

SMOKING POLICY

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the hotel. There is a designated area on the terrace where you may smoke, and it is requested that smokers take the comfort of other guests into consideration.

SWIMMING POOL

The pool is open daily from 8.00 am - 8.00 pm. Towels are available from the blanket box by the pool door. The code for the pool can be obtained from reception. Please change in your bedroom and make your way to the pool in the robe provided. There is a unisex area with shower and toilet facilities available but changing in your room is advised.

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

0 Reception

9 Outside line

200 Housekeeping

259 Room Service

TELEVISION

All rooms are equipped with LCD TVs.

TOILETRIES

All hotel rooms are supplied with soap and body wash in dispensers in order to minimise the number of plastic bottles being discarded.

WAKE UP CALL

Wake up calls can be requested through reception.

WATER

Bottled water is provided in your room.

WI-FI

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.