How to live like a ‘Rose’ in Tralee need not be a thorny dilemma...

DON’T you just love ending up smelling like roses after a weekend away?

While Hurricane Ophelia was building up a head of steam in the Atlantic, I was heading west along the road towards Tralee in balmy Continental-like conditions to what must be one of the sweetest-scented hotels in the country.

Let me be straight up. Entering the elegant and wonderfully spacious lobby of the Rose Hotel, Tralee, base for the annual festival, loved all over the world, I felt like a thorn among the roses after a rough and busy week back at base.

Boy, did I need a spray of this here, and a whiff of that there. But I knew from the minute I tentatively approached the reception desk, I was entering the Kingdom of heaven, with welcoming staff (genuine, low-key, warm, leave you alone but we’re here if you need us, ones); wonderful spacious, spotless, rooms; a well-equipped gym to help get your strength, and conditioning back (I showed my face anyway); and dining facilities serving food prepared by Executive Head Chef, Ódhran Lucey and his team, that are... well, mouth-watering.

When one of the first people you meet at the bar is named Mike Pat Donnelly, and he’s from Cahersiveen, you’ll feel so at home that you’ll want to launch into the first verse of ‘The Boys of Barr Na Sráide’ while heading straight for the lamb, not the ‘wran’ on the menu.

There’s a serenity about this hotel that’s hard to put your finger on. The fact that the Serenity Spa is managed by a Cork woman, Tara Cunningham, from Cobh and the hotel’s manager is Mark Sullivan from Cork, helps in this Rebel writer’s eye, but this place is all about teamwork - green, white and gold teamwork from the likes of Ann Doona, in banqueting; or Spa therapist, Leslie Hussey.

The weekend I visited there were close on 250 guests at the Austin Stacks GAA dinner; a busload of American tourists; a Pearl wedding anniversary group; a 50-strong christening celebration; along with the usual cohort of guests. Yet, there was an air of calm everywhere. But I suppose being the headquarters, since 2007, of the Rose of Tralee festival brings a certain ‘we’ve seen it all before’ quality to the hotel, situated on Dan Spring Road, just a 10 minute walk to the town centre, via the Rose Walk, paid for by hotel owners, Dick and Eileen Henggeler, parents of the late Dorothy, 2011 Washington DC Rose, who tragically died in 2014. The hotel’s bar, Dott’s, is also named in her honour.

The hotel is an ideal base for all sorts of activities.

Tralee Bay Wetlands, a nature boardwalk that offers a bug’s eye view of birds, plants, insects and smaller mammals, is on the doorstep. It’s a twitchers’ paradise. There’s an international wildlife exhibition, guided nature boat tour, a viewing tower and bird hides. Prices are handy, adult €6, child €4 and family pass €20 (two adults, three children).

Great golf is on your doorstep; with Barrow eight minutes away; Ballybunion, 19 mins; Ceann Sibéal, 35 mins; Killarney, 20 mins and Waterville, 45 mins.

Then there’s Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, and walkers won’t be short of options with the Kerry Way, Ballyhoura Way, Dingle Way, North Kerry Way, Blackwater Way all a hop, step and a jump a-Way.

The Kerry Camino Way, which begins from the stunning St John’s Church in the town and makes its way to St James Church in Dingle, believed to be from where Kerry’s pilgrims sailed from to the port of La Coruna, there to join the way of St James, would be another excellent option. You can walk in the footsteps of ‘St Brendan The Navigator’ regarded as the first European to reach America.

Once completed, you’ll be making a beeline back to the Serenity Spa at the Rose Hotel though to work on those aching limbs and then comes the piece de resistance, afternoon tea. You know the one, pot of tea or freshly brewed coffee, a selection of delicious finger sandwiches, a selection of homemade teabreads, miniature pastries and cakes, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, homemade chocolates. Now I had afternoon tea in several places, including the much talked about Hayfield Manor here in Cork, but this topped the lot for value, and those scones — melted in your mouth. Don’t miss out.

The hotel also caters for plenty of weddings and walk-ins for dinner and of course there’s a conference centre for 300 delegates. But in all honesty you’ll come away with the impression that you’ve had the hotel all to yourself.

Everywhere you turn of course there are real-life roses, or photographs of former ‘Roses’. I had a former Boston rose outside my room, well a framed photograph of her.

History is also to be seen everywhere around the hometown of the late singer Christie Hennessy. It was the one-time bastion of the Fitzgerald’s, kings of Munster.

Then there’s the British built courthouse, which almost dominates town, to the limestone Kerry Protestant Halls building, along with memorials to Irishmen killed while fighting for the British in India and Crimea. While there may be quite a few derelict shops and buildings off the main streets, there are the odd gems in the centre of town, like Kirby’s Brogue Inn. It looks nothing from the outside but take a peep inside… amazing. Spotless, great food. It will astound you.

Turn any corner and you’ll likely bump into sporting greats, such as former Kerry goalkeeper Mike Hassett. But after a long day out and about exploring, it is back at base in the Rose Hotel where you get legendary treatment in therapy treatment room. Do yourself a favour, check out their many treatments and special offers. This autumn you can make rejuvenating and relaxing a priority with a spa break at the hotel featuring carefully selected world acclaimed ELEMIS Skincare Therapy products.

I could list off all the various offers available but if I was you, I’d just ring them on 066 7199100 or check out www.therosehotel.com. They have amazing midweek offers also. I’m not kidding when I say this is one four-star hotel where you’ll get five-star treatment and end up smelling like roses.

All together now...

He was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer. Go ahead give them a call.

Tell them ‘the thorn among the rose’ sent you.