A short drive south of Dublin city, in one of Ireland’s most scenic locations in the beautiful Wicklow Hills, this deluxe hotel set in the 47 acre Powerscourt Estate has brought new facilities to the area. Reminiscent of a formally iced wedding cake when seen from across the hills, the crescent shaped building is in fact designed to sit as neatly as possible into its forested site. Entry is on the fourth floor, where palatial public areas are designed to make the most of the wonderful location overlooking formal landscaped gardens and the Sugarloaf mountain beyond; informal meals are served in these areas, and the scent of turf burning in open fires add a human dimension.