Elegantly poised at the edge of Lake Geneva
Bouchard Finlayson
Hermanus, Western Cape
A vineyard between heaven & earth
Cradled amid the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley,
Bouchard Finlayson is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s leading boutique wine cellars.
With a terroir defined by both ancient soils and a cool maritime climate, the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson are famous for producing award-winning
Pinot Noir, elegant Chardonnay and terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc, while inspired blends showcase the depth of skill and innovation in our winemaking team.
The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus.
Discover the rich history of The Lodge
1865
The Lodge was originally built in 1865 for the Estate Manager of nearby Ashford Castle which dates right back to 1228 when it was founded by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family, descendants of William de Burgh, a knight who settled in Ireland in 1185 and who claimed direct descent from Charlemagne.
Take a tour...
Expect warm smiles at every turn, a host of thoughtful touches, sumptuous rooms and suites, and delicious cuisine, all set within the enchanting Ashford Estate.
Our differences
Exceeding expectations at every turn, our historic hotel has a team who take genuine pride in delivering impeccable service. Set within the enchanting Ashford Estate, enjoy delicious cuisine in Wilde's Restaurant, a host of exciting estate activities, and relaxing moments looking across Lough Corrib.
Meet our team
Every team member is empowered to make a genuine difference to each guest’s day, offering an authentic Irish charm and considerate attention to detail. A favourite warming drink after a day on the lake, romantic, candlelit turndowns – these all create a cosseting country house experience that keep guests coming back time and again.
Discover more about The Lodge
Extraordinary experiences
As part of the celebrated Ashford Castle estate, we benefit from an extraordinary collection of activities, from Ireland’s first and finest falconry school, to horse-riding, golf, fishing, tennis, off-road driving, zip-wiring and tree-climbing. Our in-house team also has long-standing relationships with local artisans and can arrange a variety of bespoke experiences that bring this beautiful corner of Ireland to life.
Delicious dining
Delicious dining with a view
Our passion for delicious, creative cuisine is showcased in Wilde’s, run by Executive Chef Jonathan Keane who was recently named the best chef in Ireland by The Good Eating Guide, and makes the most of the freshest, organic ingredients from local artisan suppliers, as well as home-grown produce from the grounds of the estate. The vibrant Quay Bar and Brasserie offers innovative cocktails and laid-back comfort cuisine with spectacular views from our al fresco terrace.
The Ashford Castle experience
The Lodge enjoys the feel of a relaxed rural country house hotel while being an intrinsic part of the truly remarkable Ashford Castle estate. Once home to the Guinness family, the historic estate has won countless awards and covers 350 acres of formal, manicured gardens and wild, rambling woodland rich in wildlife – all right there on our doorstep.
The power of passion
"The Lodge was originally built in 1865, providing a home for the Estate Manager of the nearby Ashford Castle. The Lodge also hosted a variety of guests who included fishermen, walkers and friends of the Ardilaun family. I was ecstatic to become Hotel Manager of The Lodge at Ashford Castle in 2018 and it is wonderful to be back in my home county of Mayo.
There really is nowhere more beautiful than Ashford. Not only is The Lodge situated on over 300 acres of stunning gardens and forests, set against the background of the mesmerizing Lough Corrib, we also offer a multitude of activities right here on the estate.
We are committed to sustainability, supporting charities such as Clean the World and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics. Mirroring my own passion for biodiversity, we work to preserve the natural habitats on the Estate. We have introduced a bug hotel in our gardens, bat boxes throughout the Estate and four beehives. We are also proud to grow our own produce in our polytunnels and forage for seasonal ingredients across the Estate.
To sum up my experiences and to quote W.B. Yeats: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire”. Each day at The Lodge brings a new challenge and new lessons learned. Overall, I am most proud of the team I work with; the dedication, commitment and passion they show each day is truly inspiring."
- Peter Fergus, General Manager
