My Creative Cup of Tea

January 10, 2024

#MCCOTPlacetoStay {20}

Gregans Castle Hotel

Ballyvaughan

Ireland

Located on Ireland's West coast in Ballyvaughan and nestled in the heart of the Burren, Ireland’s smallest national park, Gregans Castle Hotel is the perfect getaway to stay for a well-deserved vacation if, like us, you are a big supporter of Ecotourism which consists in choosing responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Immersed in Irish Natural Beauty and owned by Simon Haden and Frederieke McMurray, this 18th century manor house-turned-hotel which has welcomed guests, as famous authors C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien’, is a Family business since 1976. It is now a charming virtuous luxury and peaceful TV-less 21-room establishment, recently welcomed among the Small Luxury Hotels, a worldwide collection of "independently spirited hotels", where sustainability comes absolutely first. As a daily priority for the staff, but also, for the lucky and committed-to-the environment guests who are encouraged to act in the most responsible way possible and for example, walk or cycle (electric bikes will be available to hire by April) while staying at the hotel. As a proud member of Sustainable Travel Ireland, an Irish developed environmental certification standard for the tourism sector, the hotel is doing its best to minimize its footprint on the environment and, as a founding member of The Burren Ecotourism Network, to preserve and cherish its beloved area. In 2022, the latter planted 650 native trees on the grounds. 600 of these were planted in December 2022 as part of the Burren Pine Project which seeks to restore the almost extinct native Burren Pine tree to various sites around the Burren. The virtuous owners are currently building more staff accommodation on-site so that less employees have to travel to work. At Gregans Castle hotel, you will not only experience the acclamed Slow living but also enjoy all the delicious dishes cooked by Head chef Jonathan Farrell who, as a slow food ambassador, is used to sourcing organic food locally. The hotel will reopen on next 2th February.