A Charming Boutique Hotel for a Tranquil Stay in Wexford | The Riverbank House Hotel
Known as “sunny Southeast” but still largely ignored by international travellers, county Wexford was a destination of choice to evade the Dublin crowd for a weekend. Wexford town was just 2 ½ hours away from the Irish capital by train or the motorway, which made it an easy weekend trip away from the big city.
I was looking for a hotel with a bit of character and located in the centre of town so I could easily explore the local heritage and enjoy the shops and restaurants. Browsing hotel reservation platformes, I found the Riverbank House Hotel on booking.com.
The Riverbank House Hotel was a 3-star boutique hotel on the bank of the river Slaney and it wasn’t short of great reviews, so I took the plunge. I booked a standard room with breakfast for two nights.
Getting to the Riverbank House Hotel in Wexford
Driving from Dublin to Wexford town was easy enough thanks to the motorway M11 going all the way to Wexford. With a journey time between 2 and 2 ½ hours, getting to Wexford by road is fairly quick and can compete with the train time wise; that’s if you don’t get stuck in traffic on your way out of Dublin at rush hours.
The Riverbank House Hotel wasn’t located in the town centre. Hotels right in the centre of Wexford were grossly overpriced for my taste and didn’t seem to have much character. A compromise on the location had to be made. Having said that, the Riverbank House Hotel was only a 10-minute walk from Wexford’s bustling streets, and it was much better priced. Plus its quieter location away from the main shopping hub promised undisturbed nights.
The establishment was in fact located at the end of the long Wexford Bridge, a modern and practical link between Wexford Town and the opposite bank of the Slaney River. The hotel overlooked the shore of the Slaney estuary and its location made for great views over the river and Wexford harbour in the distance.
The hotel had an off street, free car park but small. However, a large car park was available just across the street for as little as €2. The fee was only to be paid when you exited the car park, no matter how long you had parked your car there. If visiting Wexford by train, the hotel couldn’t be more than 15 minutes on foot.
Checking-in at a Boutique Hotel is Wexford
The Riverbank House Hotel was a small, 3-star hotel of just 23 bedrooms including double/twin and family bedrooms. Its rather modern and cold exterior was in contradiction with its warm and welcoming interior. A small but quirky and exuberant garden at the back of the hotel led guests through its main entrance. Lights laid around the plants and trees at night gave the place a romantic feel as you approached the hotel.
Inside, the lobby was decorated of dark wooden furniture surrounding a fireplace waiting for cold nights to return. Behind a grand reception desk also made of dark wood, a member of staff was busy answering customers on the phone. Phone call over, she promptly turned towards us and greeted her new guests with the most infectious enthusiasm and good humour.
Located on the first floor, the room was spacious and clean. Carpet throughout and dark wooden furniture reminiscent of Art Deco gave the bedroom real warmth and coziness. The large double bed and firm mattress guaranteed a good night sleep. The bedroom was also equipped with a small flat screen TV, a kettle with complimentary tea bags and a hairdryer.
The bathroom was rather spacious with bathtub and heated towel rails for the winter days as well as complimentary shower gel and shampoo. Everything was again spotless here.
You might also be interested in:
– Where to Stay in Waterford, Ireland | The Fitzwilton Hotel
– Visiting Tramore | An Irish Seaside Town With a True Summer Vibe
– Top Historical Sites to Visit in Wicklow
Eating at the Riverbank House Hotel
Breakfast was served in the River Bar & Restaurant on the ground floor. The restaurant could be accessed through a corridor garnished with exotic plants showered with light coming through a glass ceiling. The Victorian-styled restaurant with its dark wooden tables and antique mirrors overlooked the river for great views as you enjoyed your meal.
I was building an appetite just by browsing over the breakfast menu. Hearty breakfast options were on offer: eggs Benedict, burrito, Irish breakfast with extra potato cakes, pancakes or just tea and scones for those favouring lighter options.
I devoured the succulent pancake stack drizzled with maple syrup and accompanied by berry compote. A satisfying way to start your day!
Lunch and dinner were served at the River Bar & Restaurant from 12pm to 9pm daily. Booking at the reception was recommended as the place seemed popular. On the menu, a broad selection of well priced dishes from pizzas to burgers, steaks, chicken and fish. Vegetarian and gluten free options were also included. The Riverbank beef burger with Wexford cheese was succulent, served by friendly and attentive staff.
Of course I couldn’t end my dinner without ordering a dessert after walking around the town for hours earlier that day. I greatly deserved a treat! My heart swayed towards the apple and berry crumble but the delicious chocolate brownie finally got the best of me. Lured by the enticing cocktail menu, I thought to conclude my stay in Wexford with even more sugar in my bloodstream. But reason triumphed this time and I got back to my room sober.
The Verdict
Staying at the Riverbank House Hotel was the most enjoyable experience. Just 10 minutes away from the centre of Wexford, it is ideally situated and without the price tag of more centrally located hotels.
As you approach the hotel from the road, it might not immediately strike you as a boutique hotel oozing character. But you would be misguided to think so. From the small garden at the back to the rooms’ furniture, the Riverbank House Hotel is a welcoming, warm and comfortable place to stay.
But what you will certainly remember the most about your stay is the friendly and cheerful staff. From the receptionist to the waiters and waitresses, they all make sure you are well looked after and feel welcomed. A real find!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I earn a little money at no extra cost to you.
RELATED POSTS
Leave a Reply