View from the room: Limerick Strand

 Limerick Strand, Limerick, Ireland.[gallery type="slideshow" size="full" ids="11931,11932,11933,11934,11935"]Location Overlooking the Shannon River (although our executive room didn't afford us a view alas). Perfectly located just over the bridge from town so we had the chance to cross the magnificent river at least twice a day, usually more, as it's just 5 minutes from the main area.Bathroom

• Towels –  plenty of them and soft enough, 2 large, 2 small and face cloths
• Separate shower
• Handheld shower in bath - much-needed for long hair washing
• Perfect working bath tub
• Two racks for towels on each side of bath
• Plenty of storage around sink and behind toilet
• Lovely Paul Costello toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, soap (no vanity sets)
• Toothbrush charge point

Power points 5. They are everywhere with four just around the mirror/desk area and another two by full length mirrorStorage

• Drawers – so many. 3 in the desk, 1 in each bedside unit and six more in the wardrobes.
• Two double wardrobes with 11 quality wooden hotel hangers. So many shelves.
• Fold up clothes airer thing you find in hotels

Refreshments

• Kettle and Nespresso machine 
• Fridge (empty, not a mini bar so plenty of space)

The kettle is fast and when I know there's one of those in the room, I take a mini cafetiere and some good, freshly ground coffee! Ireland's also one of those places, like North America that sells the perfect sized little milk cartons to see you through a few days of coffee.Breakfast: we didn't purchase with room as we like to get out and about but we did eat in twice, partly because it was good value anyway - the same as you'd pay in a café - and because we received vouchers on check in to receive a few euros discount. The coffee was dire but the buffet is excellent with an array of hot food, cereals, yoghurts, breads and pastries, cold meats and fruits that you would expect to see. On the second visit, we noticed people were having fried eggs and pancakes, items not mentioned anywhere and it would have been nice to know they were available. I would definitely have picked them. Dinner: excellent on both occasions. When we arrived on the Monday night, a bigger fuss was made than necessary to tell us the restaurant was full but we could eat in the lounge. We couldn't have cared less where we sat as the view was lovely. On NYE, reception informed us the bar will be serving food till 9pm so we didn't bother with the hassle of finding somewhere else to eat on the business social night of the year. We did try the Savoy as we couldn't get a room there but when I popped in I was told their restaurants we full all day. However, there was nowhere to sit in the bar at the Strand! A kindly staff member set us up a table practically in the huge reception area, which we much preferred, away from the noisy bar and next to one of the many Christmas trees - one of the things that endeared me to the hotel when I arrived. The staff member came back with a menu but even on the busiest night with a wedding party thrown in, 25 minutes to wait for the order to be taken in excessive. We knew what we wanted so the bf went to the bar to order and came back after a few minutes carrying perfect drinks. Somehow, the dinner arrived about 2 minutes afterwards! It turns out the delay at the bar was to find my wine (I occasionally enjoy a white Sauvignon Blanc) and the food was already being cooked. The salmon and steak were excellent. We're not predictable, we're consistent.DressingMirrors  in the right places. It's off-putting to see myself at every angle but we need a mirrors before we step out into the world! Iron & boardRelax & sleep

• Two armchairs
• plus two different desk chairs
• Big bed - with one large winter duvet and 4 pillows, 2 cushions. Spare pillows and blankets.

Service Adequate, bordering on friendly although sometimes like it was an effort to smile. Our first approach to reception to ask about day trips we were keen to undertake resulted in the advice that it was best to phone the organiser. No offer to phone or alternative suggestions as one would expect from a concierge service (or referral to an actual concierge). Rather than make an expensive international phone call from our UK phones, we popped into one of the tourist info offices in the centre of town and that lady was gave us the enthusiasm and welcome we'd dare hope for.Other facilitiesAir con: a little tricky, it blew out cold for a long time but the duvet is like an oven and there are spare blankets and pillows to add to the four on the bed already. Lighting: There is plenty of it but with no overhead light in the middle, the large room is a little dark. Room 421 is spacious and among one of the best for thoughtful facilities. I'd happily stay there for a couple of weeks if needed. Do you need to know anything else? Please drop me a line or tweet @RickieWrites