Nestled right on the shore of the gorgeous Lough Eske, Harvey's Point Hotel is a visit to a slower, more relaxed and welcoming world.
The Pluses:
We stay four nights in a Deluxe room, which is easily the largest suite I have every stayed in. The King bed was very comfortable . The wardrobe area was spacious and provided more than enough room for our clothing. And bathroom was very well appointed, with both a shower and a very large whirlpool bath for two. Do not be taken aback by the local water. Though slightly brown in color, it was fine for drinking and was amazingly soft for skin and hair.
There is a well-stocked mini bar along with complimentary tea/coffee, fruit and cookies. We especially appreciated the french press coffee carafe! There is also complimentary bottled water for those who prefer not to drink from the tap.
The property is amazingly beautiful and has the warmth and class of a county manor. We spent one rainy afternoon in the communal Reading Room looking out over the lough, sitting in comfortable leather furniture with our books, tea and whiskey. A second day was spent hiking around Louch Eske enjoying the gorgeous views of the lough, hills, and sheep fields of Donegal. The beautiful bar with deep leather chairs and a peat-burning fireplace was a wonderful spot to chat about our day in the evenings.
The staff at Harvey's was unfailingly cordial, friendly and welcoming. They assisted us in hiring a local driver for a day of touring, laundered some clothing which was returned quickly and in excellent condition, and were always happy to see to our comfort.
Areas to Improve:
In the otherwise amazing bathroom, the lack of an electrical outlet near a mirror was a bit of an annoyance. The vanity has shaver outlets, but there was no place to plug in a curling iron for my hair.
The dining at Harvey's was an interesting mix of wonderful flavors from well prepared food presented in an overly fussy and dated manner. The over use of foams, sauce-dotted plates and unidentifiable garnishes was a distraction from the very satisfying flavors. We found the more casually presented breakfasts and lunch menus to be more visually pleasing then the dinner menu.
We reserved a table at for the Cabaret Night, a weekly dinner/cabaret show that draws locals and tour groups as well as guests at the hotel. The buffet dinner was excellent and the staff service during it was outstanding. Unfortunately our enjoyment of the evening was derailed by two issues.
We were informed during the show that the big draw of the evening (and the primary reason we came to the Cabaret) SephirA was not performing that night. Finding out that way right in the middle of the evening was very disappointing and left us feeling as if we had been mislead. We undoubtedly would have still attended if we had been informed of the replacement act before time, so the unpleasant surprise seemed unnecessary.
Also, parts of the audience were less then well-mannered. There were two tables around ours where the guests were talking loudly through out the performance without any awareness of their rudeness. We left early as they continued to get louder.
Having said that, we would return to Harvey's in a heart beat. The experience of the hotel itself ... the smell of peat burning in fireplaces, the peaceful serenity of the property, the comfort and luxury of the rooms ... are not to be missed. read more
