Monday, 8 August 2022 | 20°C Belfast
Ren-Ellen Cottage has a five-star rating
Ren-Ellen Cottage nestled next to the Irish Sea
Steaming in a Scandinavian-style wood-fired hot tub while watching the Irish Sea lap against the beach below isn’t quite heaven, but it’s pretty close.
M y partner and I had made the trip along the Co Down coast to the quiet seaside village of Annalong to check out the five-star rated Ren-Ellen Cottage.
The stunningly decorated cottage is a family-owned holiday rental boasting fantastic views of both the Irish Sea and Mourne Mountains, complete with aforementioned hot tub and exclusive beach access.
The high-end interior design and breathtaking views caught my partner’s eye on social media and we simply had to try it out.
The place came about after local couple Warren and Helen Jeffrey snapped up the site to build their ‘forever home’.
Sadly, Helen passed away before the project was completed and Ren-Ellen became a very real labour of love for widower Warren.
Now running the cottage as a Tourism NI five-star rated holiday let, Warren met us on arrival and guided us through the luxurious, bright and modern space before leaving us to it.
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The beautifully appointed cottage can host four adults in its two spacious bedrooms, both of which sit off an open-plan kitchen dining room area with panoramic views of the Irish Sea.
On the spacious, cliff-top decking providing those views is a wood-fired hot tub as well as private beach access via a bohemian footpath which winds down the cliff face to the sands.
Having wandered down to the beach along the walkway and watched seals basking on rocks in the dying sunlight, we decided to head back up and make dinner.
What makes Ren-Ellen special is the little touches and attention to detail. For example, the convection cooker hob with extractor fans built into the cooking surface so the room doesn’t smell like dinner.
Or the motion sensor low-level neon strip lights which gently guide the way when you need the toilet in the dead of night but don’t emit enough light to wake your snoring partner.
Or the soft-close kitchen units, also complete with motion sensor lighting, and chilled beers and Prosecco installed in the fridge on arrival.
Having enjoyed the beers with a couple of steaks we settled into the living room for a snuggle on the sofa in front of another stand-out feature of this incredible place — the fire.
The centrepiece of both the living room and bedroom, the fire is integrated into the dividing wall making it visible from both rooms.
A raging fire is always romantic but when its warm glow flows into both spaces, it takes things to a whole new level.
With the sun going down over the Irish Sea, we decided to very literally fire up the hot tub.
After chucking a few logs into the wood burner, steam began rising from the water and we lowered ourselves into complete luxury on the deck.
As the sun went down and the moon rose above the shimmering water below, we slowly sipped our Prosecco and found paradise in Co Down.
At just under £400 a night, the cottage is not cheap but the experience is worth paying for.
The adults-only space sleeps up to four people in its two double bedrooms making it ideal as a fancy treat for one couple or a more affordable getaway for a couple of couples.
Having spent a magical night at Ren-Ellen we didn’t want to leave but will definitely be back. As short-term holiday rentals go, this spectacular space is extremely hard to beat.
Stay at the stunning Ren-Ellen cottage for a relaxing couples getaway for £395 per night. Includes drinks on arrival, use of the hot tub and on-site parking. Adults only.
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