LOCATION: This exclusive hotel is just 2 miles away from the bustling centre of the modern City of Derry, yet it has all the atmosphere and advantages of a quiet, rural retreat. In the best traditions of the grand, Irish country house it offers the finest hospitality served up with style and sophistication; a picture of living in a gentler, more elegant age.
The house is set in its own extensive, landscaped grounds which are home to the many species of bird and wildlife living in the rivers, lakes, trees and woods that surround it. The renowned gardens attract many visitors and are a delight at any time of the year. As well as the plants and flowers that bloom in season there are a huge variety of shrubs and trees including the Beech, from which the hotel takes its name.
The hotel itself is architecturally fascinating and quite unique, owing much to its colourful history as the private home for generations of the Skipton family who settled there from England in the early 17th century. The family were among the leading scholars, merchants and adventurers of their time and this glorious past has left a clear mark on the present house. Always known as Beech Hill, it was built in 1729 by Captain Thomas Skipton and throughout the subsequent centuries it was modified with the addition of new wings, the attractive bow windows and the very distinctive porch.
Over the years the house has opened its doors and offered hospitality to all manner of guests, including several companies of US Marines who had their headquarters there during World War II. Today, following the careful restoration of the original building, it continues this tradition of hospitality, but know as one of Northern Ireland's leading country house hotels.
ACCOMMODATION: The country house atmosphere is reflected in the hotel's 27 delightful bedrooms, all tastefully and individually furnished to the highest standards of decor and comfort and displaying all the interesting and individual details of the house. As you would expect each room comes with full en suite facilities, colour television, hair dryer, trouser press, direct dial phone, tea and coffee making facilities.
The superb executive suite is designed with special occasions and visiting VIPs in mind. Furnished with antiques from the Beech Hill's glorious past it offers comfort, privacy and attractive views over the garden. The romance of the house is best depicted in the lovely Honeymoon suite which naturally has a canopied four poster bed and is the ideal place to get away from it all |
HOTEL FACILITIES & SERVICES: The elegant Ardmore Restaurant with its views across the gardens, has acquired a reputation for culinary excellence and offers the best tastes of Ulster with some distinctly continental touches. Even the most jaded palate will be tempted by the fresh local produce from prime beef, poultry and game to home-grown seasonal vegetables and locally caught salmon and trout.
The restaurant is open throughout the day for everything from that greatest of culinary delights, a breakfast with a great country house tradition, the Ulster Fry, through to delicious light lunches and sumptuous evening meals.
The wonderful food is further complimented by an extensive wine list, carefully selected to cater for every taste and occasion. The service too is everything you could hope to expect from a country house of the calibre.
The Beech Hill is also the ideal location for business meetings and private parties. Skipton Hall has its own bar, making the room a very popular choice for larger dinner parties and exclusive weddings, whilst it can also be configured for business conferences and seminars for which the full range of technical equipment, including photocopying and fax services, are also available.
The Morning Room and Library are prefect for smaller groups and as with all the rooms are attended by specifically trained staff, on hand to ensure that all your special functions- whether business of pleasure - go off without a hitch.
On the main A6 route to Belfast and Dublin, close to the airport and train station, the Beech Hill is ideally placed for easy access for all visitors.
It is also the perfect base from which to explore the delights of the surrounding countryside, from the magnificent Antrim Coast, home to the world famous Giants Causeway, to the wild beauty of the neighbouring county of Donegal and the historic city of Derry, which also boasts some excellent shopping. |
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