I love seaside towns as I grew up in Bangor, so 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.
Incredible Sea Views — 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.
The views are simply tremendous. Perfect for a stroll.
As a nice touch, our room had a pair of binoculars in it! I did some bird and boat watching from the window!
Our room was called “Ballyholme Bay” room and it had fantastic views from the window, a settee (sofa), a desk, an en suite…
A cosy double bed, a spacious room, quirky key ring with old postcards attached to it!
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 boasts a whole lotta local charm and 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.
There is also a massive lounge and sitting room downstairs where you can get cosy and get some work done.
Breakfast is served on the main floor of the house and has an epic view over the bay.
Tea or Coffee. Fruit Juice. Fresh Fruit.
Breakfast cereals and yoghurt.
Northern Irish cheeseboard. Including a delicious cheese with Dulse in it – Dulse being edible seaweed from the sea waters of Northern Ireland.
Full Ulster Fry. The night before, the owners give you a piece of paper for you to tick off what you want for breakfast! Every breakfast is cooked to order. 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.
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.
Upon talking to the owners, I also learned that legendary US country folk/rock singer Steve Earle stayed here!
Before opening Cairn Bay Lodge in 1995, owners Chris and Jenny traveled and worked aboard in the hotel and hospitality industry where they developed a flair for travel and people who love to travel. This is obvious when you stay here.
You can always tell when you travel and stay in a place that is owned and run by fellow travelers and the Cairn Bay Lodge is that kind of place. The lodge is open all year round and is a perfect place to relax. Jenny also runs a Beauty Centre at the Lodge and non guests can also book a breakfast at the Lodge by calling in advance.
Details:
Cairn Bay Lodge
278 Seacliff Road
Bangor
County Down
Northern Ireland
BT20 5HS
Tel: 028 91 467636
Email: info@cairnbaylodge.com
Jonny Blair is a self confessed traveling nomad who founded and blogs at Don’t Stop Living. He sees every day as an adventure. Since leaving behind his home town of Bangor in Northern Ireland ten years ago he has traveled to all seven continents, working his way through various jobs and funding it all with hard work and an appetite for travel. Don’t Stop Living, a lifestyle of travel’ contains over 1,000 stories and tips from his journeys round the globe. He wants to show others how easy it is to travel the world, give them some ideas and encourage them to do the same but most of all he aims to constantly live a lifestyle of travel. He is currently based in Hong Kong and on Twitter @jonnyblair.
