Everglades Hotel

Overlooking the River Foyle, with views across the hills to Donegal, The Everglades Hotel provides a bright and comfortable welcome to the City

There is something very simple about seventies architecture. The Everglades Hotel outside the town of Derry captures the typical cool lines of that era of building design. Those lines remain as contemporary today as the day the first brick was laid. Of course, an interior refurbishment in current years by Sir William Hastings, of the Hastings group, has put this hotel in the high end bracket for comfort and style for today’s discerning guests.

The name of this hotel was taken from the Everglades in Florida and from the inspiration of Alistair Cook’s ‘Letters from America’. It works too – since the hotel is surrounded by lovely trees and greenery in the private garden.  Built in 1976 by the original owner, Everglades has been part of the Hastings group for the last nineteen years. Its location a few minutes’ drive outside Derry is handy for seeing the sights and browsing the shops. City of Derry Airport is only nine miles away, with Belfast just over seventy miles away. Everglades makes a great base for exploring this diverse region. The hotel overlooks the River Foyle and the mountains of County Donegal so you’ve access to riverside, countryside and beaches as well as the bright lights. But we guess you might want to hang around a little. The welcoming feel here might just tempt you to sit back, relax and do nothing! We certainly felt like that, sitting curled up on one of the big sofas in front of the fire in the chic open plan lounge.  The evening we visited was a little dull and drizzly, so the newspapers and fire beckoned, as did a lovely glass of wine from the bar!

As with all Hastings hotels, luxury accommodation and top class service are part of the package here. At the revolving doors beneath the hotel’s canopied entrance – a concierge will be there to greet you and take your bags if necessary. Reception staff are friendly and welcoming, led by a General Manager Stephen Redden who is a stickler for professional efficiency. Before you know it you’ll be checked in and relaxing in your room or having a drink or some tea by that fire in the lounge. We really like the interior design here. Its open plan and free flowing, with windows at front and rear of the lobby, which let in loads of light and views of green. Everglades is a modern space for today’s modern guest. 

Its sixty four rooms range from standard accommodation to luxury suites. These include two very romantic Bridal Suites. We loved the sweeping semi-circular open plan Bridal Suite with curved windows to one side, and steps up the raised king sized bed. This has a princess feel, with lots of throws and cushions to lounge on, deep mattress and thick feather duvet. A separate sitting and dining area means room to entertain close members of the family during your stay – not that you’ll want to share your space here with anyone else once you get installed.  You’ll get greedy and want the room all to yourselves! The bathroom is plenty big enough for two to share. What more could you want for the first days together as husband and wife?  Weddings and other special occasions are glamorous and well catered for here. Standard room come with all the things you’d expect at this level – plush furnishings and upholstery and state of the art bathrooms go without saying really.  Room service, staff are happy to bring up a bite to eat or a night cap if you wish. 

All Hastings group hotels use local suppliers for the food here. We adore The Grill restaurant, located just off the main lobby.  The modern dining space again reflects the contemporary feel. The large glass wall of windows let in loads of natural light during the day time. A majestic grand piano makes for a sassy music experience on weekend evenings. The superb value for money Sunday Buffet Lunch here is not to be missed. We trawled the table more than once, discovering a selection of salads to die for, openers like the fresh soup of the day with local bread and Glenarm Organic Smoked Salmon, smoked trout and mackerel, and pearly prawns. For a cold plate lunch, help yourself to a selection of meats and cheeses. But we reckon you won’t resist the hot offering – local Dorset Lamb, Pork, and Hereford Beef roasted to perfection and served with all the trimmings. Afterwards, the dessert table is loaded with temptation. Tiny handmade pastries, meringues and mousses, or traditional hot tarts and seasonal fruit crumbles with custard are just some of the things you’ll find. 

In the evenings, The Grill menu focuses on all the local meats the Hastings group have sourced and are proud to serve. We had the best Rib Eye Steak here we have eaten in the whole of the land! The Grill is not called The Grill for nothing. A recent addition to Head Chef Michael O’Neill’s kitchen is the charcoal grill he uses to cook all these quality meats. Our rib eye was a 10oz piece of 28 days hung local Hereford Beef – totally melt in the mouth and full of flavour from the ageing. We loved the presentation too. It comes on a wooden board with Tobacco Onions and a Dressed Rocket Salad. And the steak knife is adorned with a sleeve pronouncing the degree of cooking you specify. Choose anything from blue to well done – but we really savoured the medium rare steak with its succulent pink and juicy texture. Other great offerings from the grill include Country Antrim Dorset Lamb’s Liver with Caramelised Onions, Pan Gravy and Creamy Mash, or a 14oz Northern Irish Pork T-bone which combines the loin and fillet cut on the bone. 

Michael excels in his other main course creations too. He’s an innovative chef who is only too happy to have the best of local ingredients to play with. If you fancy something traditional, choose the Irish Stew with slow braised Dorset lamb, cooked with thyme and vegetables, or perhaps the Moroccan Spiced Irish Salmon Fillet which comes with creamy leeks and Pilau Rice.  Lissara Duck is given the oriental treatment. Meaty Slemish Hand Tied Cumberland sausage is a real plateful – the circular twirl of roughly minced pork sausage perches on Spring Onion Mash and has crispy onions and intense red wine jus to accompany. There’s always a vegetarian choice on the menu too, along with a list of sides to accompany your main course. You won’t go hungry here, that’s for sure. Desserts on the menu include the Hastings’ selection from Glastry Farm Ice Cream to Armagh bramley Apple Upside Down Cake and homemade Baked Alaska with Glastry Farm Rhubarb and Ginger Ice Cream in the centre, topped with thick meringue baked briefly in the oven.  Absolutely delicious. Irish cheeses also feature – local Fivemiletown Ballybrie with West Cork Gubbeen, Hegarty’s Farmhouse Cheddar and famous Cashel Blue are served in perfect condition – with Robert Ditty’s Oatcakes and Pear Chutney. This restaurant is one of the best in the area – and offers superb deals for early evening dining, with a Sizzle & Sip menu that comes in at just £30 per couple for two courses.

After dinner, you may want to escape into the cosy Library Bar for favourite tipple or a full blown cocktail or two. During the day you can grab something from the light bite menu here as well.  Sandwiches, Panini’s and Salads, and delicious ideas like the Dexter Beef Burger with Hand Cut Chips or meaty Steak Sandwich on Focaccia Bap will fill the hunger gap. All dining facilities at Everglades are open to non-residents as well as hotel guests.  

Whether you’ve enjoyed a blissful night in the hotel, or are just in the area and fancy a good start to the day – we recommend the Buffet Breakfast served in The Grill each morning. For starters, try the Irish Porridge with Bushmill’s Whiskey, Honey and Cream, or County Down handmade Granola or Muesli, Clandeboye Estate natural yogurt with fresh fruits, and a selection of smoked fish, cheese and cold meats. Browse further along and find hot tender rashers of Moyallon Dry Cure Back Bacon and Honey B Sausages, and Cork’s famous Black and White Puddings served with fresh eggs of choice. The real Irish breakfast experience here in all its glory! What a great way to fuel the tank before exploring the regions attractions. 

Everglades banqueting rooms can accommodate up to 320 guests in various spaces and room sizes. A big ballroom for a grand wedding or celebration, and smaller rooms for more intimate gatherings are available. Business facilities are also on hand. This hotel has something for everyone, at a budget to suit all. A great find for the Good Food Ireland team, in an area steeped in history, culture and great local food. 

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Prehen Road
Waterside
Co Derry
BT47 2NH
+ 44 (0) 28 7132 1066
Email: rest@egh.hastingshotel.com
Web: www.hastingshotels.com

 

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