Afternoon delight!

If you haven’t yet visited the Kinsale Hotel and Spa overlooking the majestic Oysterhaven bay, you are missing out.

Surrounded by 90 acres of serene woodland, it is a haven of tranquillity and natural beauty. This resort-style hotel prioritises the utmost relaxation for its guests. I recently went there for afternoon tea on a Saturday afternoon and it truly was a treat to remember. The warm and welcoming atmosphere at Kinsale Hotel and Spa never fails to impress, with attentive yet unobtrusive service. Our dining experience took place at the stunning Rockpool Restaurant, which offers the best views of Kinsale. This spacious and airy venue also features a wrap-around terrace, providing the option to dine surrounded by nature. When indulging in afternoon tea, I always recommend setting aside a few hours to fully savour the experience and unwind while enjoying the delectable food and a glass of sparkling bubbles.

The tea service itself is an elegant affair, served on delicate bone china. To add a touch of celebration, I decided to complement my order with a glass of prosecco, a fitting choice for the occasion!

A three-tiered display of pure magic emerged with a decadent selection of sandwiches, fresh scones and mini desserts. I didn’t know where to start as everything was so wonderfully presented. The selection of savoury delights consisted of coronation chicken mini croissants, smoked Irish salmon on brown bread, a cheddar cheese and ham sandwich and a fluffy goat's cheese mousse on artisan bread. The freshly baked scone was still warm and I of course put jam first and then cream, as we all know, this is the only way!

There was a mini dessert to delight even the most discerning sweet tooth. The cheesecakes, chocolate sponges and fruity tarts which sat on the top layer were truly scrumptious and the macaroons were a divine accompaniment to the bubbles.

Afternoon tea at the Kinsale Hotel is definitely a gorgeous experience and the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or in my case, a promotion. My top tips are to arrive hungry and be prepared to relax and luxuriate in your surroundings. My guest was vegetarian and you do need to let the team know in advance of dietary requirements. Give 24 hours for this so they have time to inform the kitchen. Pre-booking is advised and it costs €24.50 for afternoon tea or €29.50 with prosecco.