Travel News: Taste Tourism, Hotel Openings And Spring-Summer Deals

TASTE TOURISM

Who knew chocolate could drive travel trends? Apparently, holiday bookings to Dubai have increased by 40 per cent, according to holiday provider Destination 2, driven in part by the surge in demand for Dubai-style chocolate known for its velvety texture. #dubaichocolate has over 335K posts on Instagram alone.

This phenomenon is known as “taste tourism” where trending foods influence travel decisions. If you’re planning a journey, you’ll be pleased to hear Emirates is launching Premium Economy seats on board its Dublin route from June, part of a full fleet facelift. As a former Dubai resident, a favourite hotel has always been the One & Only Royal Mirage. Don’t leave without a visit to Old Dubai where the city’s oldest building Al Fahidi Fort is reopening after renovations.

NEW DÉCOR

Many Irish properties reopen for the spring/summer season; unveiling new décor and amenities. These include the family-owned Dromquinna Manor and Killarney Park, Co Kerry. Both have been busy sprucing up guest rooms, suites and gardens over the winter.

At Killarney Park, Irish architects McCauley Daye O’Connell are responsible for the reconfigured suites that feature scenic wallpaper, reproduced from watercolours of the Killarney Lakes in the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection. This is all part of the family’s vision for an immersive guest experience. In the bathroom, you’ll find posh Wildsmith Skin amenities by horticulturist William Walker, inspired by the landscapes of Heckfield Place in Hampshire. Book the Ultimate Overnighter, from €269 per person sharing, which includes Champagne and dinner at The Garden Bar, late checkout and full use of the leisure suite. www.killarneyparkhotel.ie

CUTE COTTAGES

Bookings are now open for all Irish Landmark Trust properties including its latest addition, Goggin Cottage, just outside Adare in Co Limerick. Also on my radar for a romantic retreat is Batty Langley Lodge, at the entrance to the Palladian Castletown House, Co Kildare. It’s been fully renovated and boasts a new bathroom this season. In addition, it has a well stocked library and, randomly, bat watching equipment! At night the woods, meadows and water courses become the playing ground for six recorded bat species. www.irishlandmark.com

BLOOM CHASING

The last time I visited Mount Congreve, Co Waterford, to stay in one of the newly renovated Gate Lodges on the estate, the gardens’ autumnal beauty impressed. I’m keen to revisit this season to see the famous magnolia tree canopy in bloom. There are three spectacular plantings of 200 magnolias in the garden, which include the varieties Magnolia campbellii, Magnolia veitchii and Magnolia sprengeri var diva, among others. This was part of the vision of original owner Ambrose Congreve and his co-creator Herman Dool. In fact, the magnolias have inspired a pretty new bedlinen collection created by designer Helen McAlinden for Foxford. Guided walking (and buggy) tours of the gardens are offered weekly until October. The Hoppity Hippity Easter Trail and treasure hunt takes place over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend from April 19 to 21, which promises fun for all the family. www.mountcongreve.com

SEE MORE: Sara Dolan, CEO of Mount Congreve Gardens Lives In A Pretty Gardener’s Cottage On Site

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Have you ever harboured a dream of buying a property and turning it into a B&B? I admit to this, so I’m always impressed by those who turn the dream into a reality. Take sisters Aislinn and Nicole O’Shea, who embarked on an ambitious renovation project of The Little Island Resort in West Cork, originally designed by German architect Klaus Kirsten in the 1960s. They have brought the once-derelict hotel back to its former glory, and also renovated an outdoor pool with great sea views. The vibe is Californian; visitors can experience the American-style Swim Club Deli with laidback beach vibes, and their signature rip ‘n’ dip bagels with cream cheese, or join the Sunday Sea Swims on Owenahincha Beach. Sea view rooms are from €180 and pet-friendly rooms cost €205; www.thelittleisland.ie.

Drumbeg Cottage in Ahakista on Sheep’s Head Peninsula, West Cork also opens to guests after four years of renovations by owners Barry and Aoife O’Brien. Perfect for friends and family stays. @drumbegcottage airbnb.ie/h/drumbegcottage

SAUNA STAY

Staying in West Cork, the Native Garden Sauna’s new wellness experience has just launched. This experience is included in the NATIVE Package featuring aromatherapy, foraged tea, and carefully curated scents and botanicals sourced from local herbalist Jen Doran (@the.nature.wave). These elements work together to enhance relaxation and wellness in a tranquil environment. Book a session, €75, at www.native.ie.

ACTIVITY HOLIDAY

Inspired by The White Lotus? Paint the colours of the Med with Irish artist Loreto Reilly, who’s taught art for over 20 years, in Sicily this May. Set in the family-run Terra Rosa, relax with daily yoga and breathwork sessions with Marie Finn (@mariecfinn) each morning before painting. There’s plenty of time to explore the surroundings as afternoons are free. Sounds heavenly! www.loretoreilly.com

ART AND ABOUT 

“Do Remember They Can’t Cancel The Spring,” is a new exhibition by David Hockney opening at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris on April 9 to August 31. Vibrant and inspiring, it’s definitely one for his fans bringing together 400 works, from 1955 to 2025, including pencil drawings and digital art. www.fondationlouisvuitton.fr.

If visiting, I recommend staying at the super cool hotel Le Pigalle, in the 9th arrondissement, where the rooms are kitted out with Art Deco furniture with arty photographs as well as turntables, vinyls and pre-mixed cocktails, www.lepigalle.paris. For maximalists, Hotel de JoBo, in the 4th arrondissement, is inspired by Josephine Bonaparte, who was known for her exotic taste for leopard skin, swans and roses. www.hoteldejobo.paris.

NEW DISCOVERIES

A trio of experiences I recommend include: a stay at Aloft Dublin where colourful rooms and a rooftop bar offer a bird’s eye view of The Liberties. www.marriott.com.

The spring menu at Anantara The Marker Dublin is a delicious combination of textures and tastes, created by chef Gareth Mullins. There is also a tasty pre-theatre menu, €39 for two courses, before seeing a show at Bord Gais Energy Theatre (don’t miss the Book of Mormon, or an evening with author and podcaster Elizabeth Day). www.anantara.com.

Date venue Laura’s restaurant at Old Fashioned Sam’s in Dublin 2 is a relaxed rooftop restaurant serving French-inspired style, friendly service and perfectly cooked steaks, among other specialities. www.oldfashionedsams.ie.

ESCAPIST READS

Sarah Long’s novel A New Life in the Chateau, (Zaffre, €10.75) is about friendship and new beginnings, set in a magnificent (if crumbling) château in Normandy. Sarah used to live in France and draws from her own experiences for this light-hearted novel.

Something of a cult read is hotelier André Balazs’ The Chateau Marmont Hollywood Handbook (Rizzoli, €36) about the hotel he saved from demolition in 1990, and has been restoring ever since. The handbook has just been updated and is a fascinating read about its famous guests, who have included William Faulkner, Eve Babitz, Dominick Dunne, Gore Vidal and Jay McInerney. It’s an ideal a gift for any hospitality-obsessed friends.

SPRING/SUMMER DEALS

A third of us plan holidays one to three months pre-departure, which means many jetsetters are eagerly browsing options. Travel Department has announced a Spring Sale to save €100 per person on long-haul destinations, and €75 per person on seven-night or longer guided holidays to Italy, Spain, and Portugal. www.traveldepartment.com.

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful getaway in the sun, Love Holidays is offering a five-night self-catering stay at Sands Beach Resort in Lanzarote from May 31 from €459 per person, departing from Cork with Aer Lingus. The resort sits on the coast of Costa Teguise, striking the balance between a superb location and value for money. The hotel has five outdoor swimming pools, with separate pools for children, surrounded by a sun terrace. A spa centre offers massage and beauty treatments. www.loveholidays.ie