Travel

Travel News: Yoga on the Burren to private pools near Phuket

Take a break in a luxury guesthouse in Dingle, or lounge pool-side in Cyprus

Views from Pax House in Dingle

Gemma Tipton's face
Gemma Tipton
Sun May 29 2022 - 06:00

Guest relations

As hotels aim for unique charm and personal service, and guesthouses up the ante in terms of luxurious touches, it can be hard to spot the difference. Ireland abounds with guesthouse gems that wouldn't raise any eyebrows if they turned up in the Boutique Hotel category. Dingle's Pax House is one such place, where John O'Farrell's guests return again and again, raving about the terrace views, the breakfasts and pretty much everything else. With a recent top-10 ranking in the Tripadvisor Choice Awards, Pax House offers summer rates from €140 up to €280 per room, B&B; pax-house.com

Burren Yoga Retreat allows you to practise your cobra pose in the epic surroundings of the area’s unique limestone pavements

Sidewalk shuffle

Pounding the pavements gets a whole new meaning at the Burren Yoga Retreat, where – weather permitting – you can get your cobra pose right in the epic surroundings of the area's unique limestone pavements. And if the sun doesn't play ball, there's a lovely studio too. Take a weekend retreat from €510 pps, or a six-nighter from €1,110, including B&B, yoga and meditation classes, guided outings and veggie dinner each evening. With classes for absolute beginners to advanced practitioners, becoming "at one" starts here; burrenyoga.com

Cool off in Cyprus at the five-star Venus Beach Hotel

Cooling off in Cyprus

Dive into crystal waters, and then come up for air with a nice pool-side lounging session at the five-star Venus Beach Hotel, Paphos in Cyprus. Cassidy Travel has seven nights from €599 pps, including return flights from Dublin and hotel transfers. Departure date June 13th; cassidytravel.ie

The Avani+ Khao Lak offers private pool villas looking out over pristine beaches

Luxe for less

As more Asian destinations reopen to tourism, the high-end Avani Hotels & Resorts collection has a range of special offers across six of its destinations. From flexi stays to resort credits and free nights, we like the look of the Avani+ Khao Lak, with private pool villas looking out over pristine beaches. Get 20 per cent off dining and spa treatments, and complimentary hotel transfers from Phuket airport – just 60 minutes away. You'll also get 35 per cent off for stays over seven nights, bringing your B&B rate down to a starting point of €65 a night. Check out avanihotels.com/en/asia-reopening-offers. Book your flight to Phuket with Etihad before May 31st, and get fares from €695; etihad.com.

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