The One Hotel Room in Ireland I Never Wanted to Leave: Harvey’s Point, Donegal

As a travel writer, I’ve learned not to get too attached to a hotel room. On press trips, you’re usually in and out within hours. There’s little time to linger, not with so much waiting outside your door. So it’s rare that I feel the urge to go rogue and lock myself in a room. But Harvey’s Point in Donegal, Ireland? That was different. Yes, on one hand the enchanted island of Ireland is begging for exploration just outside the door, but on the other…I’ve seen all I need to see with this room. Go on without me, please.

I’m not saying that size matters, except that, well in this case, it kind of does. In a world obsessed with maximizing square footage, Harvey’s Point laughs in the face of efficiency. Not just with the rooms, but with hallways wide enough to host ceilidhs, and panoramic views throughout of Lough Eske that makes it hard to imagine a world beyond this peaceful retreat. It’s a throwback to an era when luxury meant space to breathe, not squeezing in more rooms per floor. And like magic, within minutes of arrival, you can feel yourself expanding to fill the space with each deep breath you take.

The Rooms at Harvey’s Point: Go Big and Stay Home

There are hotel rooms, and then there are Harvey’s Point suites, where you half expect to find a second guest already living in the far corner. The premium room I stayed in came with a grand entrance foyer (yes, a foyer), a kitchenette stocked with the essentials (and the non-essentials, like heavenly cookies), a bathroom bigger than my first apartment, and a bed so large it may show up on Google maps.

The decor is a mix of timeless elegance and genuine comfort; think wingback chairs, rich wood finishes, and big windows to let the lake do what it does best: calm you right down. Every element invites you to stay put. Read a book. Run a bubble bath you can swim in. Watch the mist roll in over Lough Eske with a cup of tea in hand and not a shred of guilt about missing what’s outside your door.

If you’re a traveller like me who usually drops your bags and bolts for the nearest scenic hike, fair warning: Harvey’s Point might just turn you into someone who lingers. Or lounges. Or full-on naps in the middle of the afternoon because the rooms have a magnetic pull that’s genuinely hard to escape.

Dining at Harvey’s Point: Worth Getting Out of Bed For

If there’s anything that might tear you away from your room at Harvey’s Point, it’s the food. Trust me, it’s worth getting dressed for.

Dinner is a four-course affair that leans confidently into gourmet territory, but without the stuffy pretense. I had the Surf and Turf; perfectly cooked Hereford beef fillet, panéed monkfish, and a cheeky little cod cheek thrown in for good measure. And while I did manage to keep my fork on my own plate, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have designs on the Duck with Croithlí Irish Whiskey jus or the Fillet of Halibut with saffron beure blanc across the table. The food is thoughtful, local, and wildly satisfying—the kind of dinner that turns into a three-hour event because you just don’t want it to end.

And whatever you do, do not skip dessert. Specifically, the Irish Farmhouse Cheese. I know the chocolate and caramel délice looks seductive (and it is), but there’s something about ending your meal with a selection of local cheeses and homemade chutney that just feels… right. Ireland doesn’t always get the credit it deserves in the cheese department, but Harvey’s Point is doing it’s best to change that.

Breakfast is buffet style, but not in the sad-tray-of-eggs kind of way. We’re talking smoked salmon, fresh breads, fluffy scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, and my personal favourite: a honeycomb frame set out like a treasure chest, ready for you to scoop fresh golden honey onto your toast or yogurt. I may have hovered near it longer than was socially acceptable. And no regrets.

The Joy of Staying Put

Harvey’s Point is the rare kind of place that invites you to slow all the way down. The entire property is designed to help you exhale, from the soft curves of the lakeshore trail to the little nooks and crannies meant for curling up with a book.

Wander the gardens, watch the swans on Lough Eske, or set up in one of the lounges where the only decision you’ll need to make is whether to order a pot of tea or something stronger. There’s a piano in the bar area for the musically inclined, plush sofas for the not-so-inclined, and that lovely sense of stillness injected into your tour of the Emerald Isle.

Honestly, it’s one of the few times I didn’t feel like I had to do something to justify the trip. Being there was enough.

If You’re Itching to Explore

If, despite Harvey’s Point’s best efforts to keep you blissfully idle, you’re still feeling the pull of the road, that’s great, because there’s lots to explore in County Donegal.

Donegal Town is just a short drive away, perfect for a stroll through its charming streets, a visit to Donegal Castle, or to explore the shops. If you’re craving coastline, don’t miss the jaw-dropping Slieve League Cliffs—some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and according to our guide, far more impressive than the Cliffs of Moher (and with a fraction of the crowds).

For a different kind of day out, make your way to Ardara where you can tour the Sliabh Liag Distillers and sample some of Ireland’s finest whiskey. Then pop into Nancy’s Bar, a seventh-generation family-run pub that’s the very definition of cozy. With low ceilings, dark wood, and a warming fire waiting your arrival, it’s the kind of quintessential Irish pub you see in movies, only better, because it’s real and you’re the star of this show. Hot tip: don’t miss out on the chowder here.

And of course, the Wild Atlantic Way snakes its way through this whole region, so even a simple drive delivers jaw-dropping views at every turn. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself circling back to Harvey’s Point a little earlier than expected.

These days, travel often feels like a race to snap all the photos, tick the boxes and squeeze in as much as possible before check-out. But every now and then, a place reminds you to pause. To stretch out. To stay in your robe just a little longer. Harvey’s Point is that kind of place.

So yes, Ireland is beautiful and full of adventure. But if you find yourself in Donegal, I highly recommend pressing pause here. Your itinerary can wait.

Where to Next? More Stops to Add to Your Ireland Itinerary

If you’re building a bigger Ireland itinerary, Harvey’s Point makes a great stop between other standout spots. After a night (or three) on Lough Eske, consider heading north to Derry for a 24-hour city experience full of culture and history, or detouring east to Bushmills for whiskey, seaside charm, and the Causeway Coast. And if you’re heading west, don’t miss this little oyster love story from Croagh Patrick Seafoods, proof that the food in Ireland can surprise you in all the best ways.

Disclosure: I was invited by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, and Northern Ireland Tourism to learn more about Ireland. All opinions expressed in this article are my own.