One of the great benefits of using airbnb is the discovery of places in just-out-of-the-way places. Calla House is a rare find and a true treasure for travelers like ourselves who prefer natural views over television and a restful retreat from the crowds and tourist attractions of the Ring of Kerry. This longtime family home between Killorglin and Glenbeigh in County Kerry integrates the natural wonders of its location with generous windows, an open floor plan built around a massive central stone fireplace, and furnishing in an old-world rustic style. The bedrooms are large and comfortable. The kitchen is small and includes the basic equipment for basic cooking. Window seating in the living room is the true focus of the house due to the amazing and always-changing panoramic views.
The wonders of the setting cannot be overstated. The house is situated on a hillside amongst old rhododendron and a mixed deciduous forest populated with all manner of singing birds that, in mid-May, provide music from dawn until past dusk. The views extend over Lough Caragh, the gorse and heather clad foothills, and the MacGillicuddy's Reeks, a mountain range that includes Ireland's highest peaks (Carrauntoohill). Calla House is a ten (or so) minute drive from N70, aka Ring of Kerry, on narrow lakeside roads lined with stone walls and often infiltrated by sheep, so getting there is a gentle process of unwinding through a meditative landscape that brings the visitor under the spell of the house and its surroundings. My husband and I used the house as a home base while exploring the Iveragh, Beara and Dingle Peninsulas with visits to the Skelligs and Killarney National Park; it was always a delight to return to our retreat on the hill at the end of the day's outing.
Communication with Stefan was excellent from the beginning. He was very thorough in his instructions and very helpful with recommendations for sightseeing, hiking, and local pubs. His multi-page manual covers everything house-related, and he provides local contacts for contingencies. His house is a very unique place that will appeal to those who share the values of natural beauty and quiet repose, and to those guests I offer my most enthusiastic recommendations.