Travel Features

Could a night at the luxurious TV-free suites of the Village at Lyons distract this football fan from the Champions League Final? Surprisingly, it did so with ease.

By Emmet Purcell

As I enter the stunning, picturesque grounds of the Village at Lyons hotel, a winding and serene drive towards the main building’s reception area, I’m struck by one thought: do the new hotel’s luxurious suites really have no televisions on the night of the Champions League final?

When I was offered the opportunity to ‘test’ the Village of Lyon’s new suites with an overnight stay, I jumped at the chance. After assessing which weekend night suited my availability and that of my partner, I eventually plumped for 28 May, safe in the knowledge that nothing else important could be possibly be happening that night, right?

As I studied the particulars of the suite before I headed off, my face was frozen as I read one particular line: ‘The absence of televisions in the suites and no housekeeping until after 11am complement the serene atmosphere of this canal-side destination’.

I’m always ready for a test – could the Village at Lyons distract and enthral me to the point that I’d simply forget all about the match? Challenge accepted.

As I reached reception I tallied up my result with my partner – we had spotted 26 rabbits in the space of about two minutes before we stepped out of the car. Was there a rabbit convention the same weekend? Or was this an example of how quickly the hotel envelops visitors in its unique charm – a destination that feels a world away from the bustling demands of the city? It’s probably the latter, to be honest.

I was handed the keys to the Valentine Suite and upon entering my room, I probably embarrassed myself by drooling all over my shirt. The suite is just one of 14 new Village Suites that compliment the existing accommodation at the Shackleton House and Shackleton Apartment.

If you wish, you can be driven towards your accommodation in a golf cart, while other services on offer include helicopter and limousine transport, if you prefer to take things up a notch.

No housekeeping until 11am helps ensures an undisturbed night's sleep

The rooms themselves, as evidenced above, are the height of luxury. The suites features Hermès trays, rain head showers, four poster beds, a Nespresso machine and a beautiful bathtub that is centerpiece of your bath room.

With chic, contemporary design, captivating lakeside views and a pleasingly extravagant room service menu, this is accommodation that makes an instant impression, and should earn a multitude of brownie points from your other half.

After donning a bathroom robe for an hour or two and not reading the Nespresso machine instructions properly, it was time to visit La Serre restaurant for an 8.30 reservation. Manchester United had just equalised half an hour into the game, according to my phone app, so it would be quite a challenge for the Village at Lyons to somehow place this info in the back of my mind.

With celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna offering a dedicated five-day cookery class service, it’s no surprise to hear that Village offers a myriad of options for foodies. You can cook your food (with Clodagh, naturally), venture to Friday night family pizza nights, relax with a coffee at the Canal Cafè or host a private function at the stunning Mill, which offers space for 180 guests in addition to a 17th century fireplace and nearby waterfall.

Dinner at La Serre

For me, however, it was time for La Serre. I turned off my phone and took a table in the beautiful Turner-designed conservatory (which allows outdoor dining during summer) and enjoyed a three-course meal for two that included seared scallops, chicken liver and a mouth-watering rib eye of beef.

Starters begin at €6.50, while main courses start from €19.50. I can assure you that no rabbits were harmed during the course of my meal.

After a delicious meal, I sauntered back to my suite, simply taking in my surroundings. Sure, I queued up my laptop within minutes of my arrival, yet I can honestly say that the big game was the least of my worries as I lapped up the luxury of my accommodation, eventually even making a correctly-poured Nespresso.

A rural retreat that offers a wealth of surprises, comfort and first-class service, I found the Village of Lyons just the tonic for a well-earned weekend reward. Whether you’re looking for a serene atmosphere or a romantic getaway, here is a destination that does everything to overwhelm your expectations – especially if they involved staring at a sports result app ad infinitum.

For details on the packages available at Village of Lyons you can visit www.villageatlyons.com or contact (01) 630 3500.