I’ve stayed in some obscure places during Christmas and New Year down the years. I’m talking homestays in Iran, sharing rooms in Parramatta Australia, camping in the mountains of Peru or hiking in China. In 2014 however, I was in Europe at Christmas for the first time in 6 years. I decided to spend some time with family as well as exploring my home country of Northern Ireland. I love seaside towns and I grew up in one, Bangor. So it was all set, after a day touring Portadown and Tandragee’s famous Tayto Castle, we headed to the coast in North Down to stay at the popular Cairn Bay Lodge in Bangor.
The Fantastic Cairn Bay Lodge in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
I had been on the website of the Cairn Bay Lodge and heard about it from some friends and we were looking forward to it. Panny (THKG) and I booked into a double room for the night and planned to relax here and enjoy the ambience and Ulster hospitality. The Cairn Bay Lodge turned out to be a real gem of a place, almost like a secret hiding place down by Ballyholme Beach in this iconic Northern Irish seaside town. I’ve picked out 8 things we both loved about our stay in Cairn Bay and added some photos. This was a great choice of a place to finish off a busy year of travel for me.
I love seaside towns and Bangor sits right on Belfast Lough. The waves crash upon the rocks and beach at Ballyholme Bay, right outside the Cairn Bay Lodge. Epic sunrise over Ballyholme, one for nature lovers, photographers and those who love to admire a decent view.
Sunrise from our window – amazing views.
The views are quite simply tremendous. Perfect for a stroll.
View over Ballyholme Beach from our room.
As a nice touch, our room had a pair of binoculars in it! I did some bird and boat watching from the window!
Amazingly cosy room at Cairn Bay Lodge.
A cosy double bed, a spacious room, quirky key ring with old postcards attached to it!
The keys for our room.
A TV and outside the room a range of DVDs for watching.
Relaxing with fabulous views from our room.
Tea, coffee, Ovaltine, Tayto and Kit Kats all on a tray in the room plus a kettle.
Owners Chris and Jenny keep things local. Each room receives a tray including Tayto Cheese and Onion crisps on it. They use Northern Irish cheese and bread with the breakfast and there is also a shop where you can buy local guides, postcards and even tea.
Cairn Bay Lodge has a real local charm about it. It feels Northern Irish. The way a Guesthouse anywhere in the world should be – local and unique to that place. With its Bangor posters and references everywhere, this is as local as they come.
I’d rather be in Bangor.
Pictures from nearby in Bangor, and Northern Ireland.
A wee map of Northern Ireland.
A wee cup of Belfast tea.
It’s a must for me these days working on the move to have decent Wi-Fi. Fast in room Wi-Fi is available here plus I get to have a bloggers desk for the night too!
WiFi in the room at Cairn Bay Lodge.
Bloggers desk – working away.
There is also a massive lounge and sitting room downstairs where you can get cosy and get some work done.
Breakfast here at the Cairn Bay Lodge is a real treat. Firstly, it’s in the downstairs room and has an epic view over the bay. Secondly the selection of the food is unrivalled anywhere on my entire travels.
The dining room for an exquisite local breakfast.
Tea or Coffee. Fruit Juice. Fresh Fruit.
Fruit juice, fresh fruit, yoghurt.
Northern Irish cheeseboard. Including a delicious cheese with Dulse in it – Dulse being edible seaweed from the sea waters of Northern Ireland.
Enjoying our Northern Irish breakfast in the Cairn Bay Lodge.
Full Ulster Fry. The night before, the owners give you a piece of paper for you to tick what you want for breakfast! I loved that. Every breakfast is cooked to order. I don’t like mushrooms, so I didn’t have to bear the thought of having them on my plate. Northern Irish breakfast special is called the Ulster Fry and this is normally fried tomato, bread, soda bread, bacon, sausages, egg (fried or scrambled) and potato bread.
My Ulster Fry without mushrooms!
The Cairn Bay Lodge is proud of its heritage and embraces local culture and events. They have been proud to host mini music gigs as part of the Bangor Open House Festival.
Cairn Bay Lodge was one of the venues that played host to Bangor’s Open House Festival in 2014.
Upon talking to the owners, I also learned that legendary US country folk/rock singer Steve Earle stayed here!
With owners Chris and Jenny very knowledgeable about the local area and travel in general, there is an abundance of tourist information, brochures, leaflets and guides here at the Cairn Bay Lodge. If there’s anything you need to know – just ask them!
Tourist information in the room.
Tourist information and brochures downstairs.
Cairn Bay Lodge is run and owned by Jenny and Chris. A local couple. Before opening Cairn Bay Lodge (back in 1995), Chris and Jenny backpacked, travelled and worked abroad including in hotels and hospitality where they developed a flair for travel and people who love to travel. This is obvious when you stay here.
Jenny and Chris – the wonderfully welcoming owners of the Cairn Bay Lodge in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
You can always tell when you travel and stay in a place that is owned and run by fellow travellers – people on the same wave length as you, people passionate about exploring the planet and meeting new people and experiencing new things. I compared my stay here at the Cairn Bay to my stay in the Black Cat Hostel in Paraguay’s Asuncion (run by Lilia), the 10 Coins Hostel in Bulgaria’s Sofia (run by Nick and Julia) and the Casa San Ildefonso in Mexico City (run by Cristina).
By the fireplace with Jenny and Chris.
If you do stay here, don’t forget to say Hi to Chris and Jenny from me! I hope to be back again soon.
This entry was posted in Accommodation, Bangor, Europe, Guest Houses, Northern Ireland. Bookmark the permalink.