After driving for a couple of hours from Shannon airport we arrived at the Hotel Europe and were greeted by smiling staff and presented with hot towels while we checked in.

The room was huge and beautiful with a balcony/terrace that looked out onto the breathtaking view of the mountains and lake. All rooms appeared to have a balcony and the hotel had extensive, well maintained grounds heading down to the lake. We arrived on a very hot sunny Saturday and proceeded to chill out (or rather catch the sun) on our terrace. My only slight gripe with the room was that the bed was a bit too firm for me (orthopaedic) but my husband had no trouble with it.

When it got too hot I decided to investigate the Active Spa level (as opposed to the Spa level) which comprised large swimming pool, vitality/infinity pool which was half indoors/half outdoors with a view to die for and this is where I spent most of my time. There was also a thermal suite with salt water pool, sauna and steam room and also a 'relaxing' room which had the most comfortable sunbeds which looked out onto the lake and mountains. I often took my book down to the quiet area and just lay there chilling and enjoying the view, whatever the weather outside. (In typical Irish fashion we had a mixture of sunshine and showers) I must add that this is the most beautiful hotel spa I have been to. There was also the Spa Level one floor above where you could book treatments and massages, but sadly, as most were out of my price range, (between €100-300) I didn't partake.

We dined in the Panoramic restaurant, which had the same wonderful views and where breakfast was also served. The food was fantastic, the staff incredibly friendly and couldn't do enough for you. We also ate in the terrace restaurant where up until 6pm you could get salads, light meals and sandwiches and from 6pm - 11pm had a more extensive dinner menu. The Beef & Guinness stew was to die for!

Overall, we had the most relaxing, peaceful few days with the friendliest and most helpful staff and I would recommend the Hotel Europe to anyone who wanted good food, good service, peace and quite and the most stunning views imaginable. I only wish I could have stayed there for the whole week but as we were travelling around Ireland, we only had a few days in each place. I will certainly come back again.

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWW. The hotel is so nice. The lakeview room is fantastic and I could of sat all day and watched it from the Balcony. The food is super for dinner and lunch and breakfast is also good. Entertainment at night is great and it's nice to have a choice of bars and restaurants. Staff are fantastic, pool gorgeous and overall experience great . I can not recommend this hotel enough . It is now in my top 3 in Ireland .