That distinctive style has seen restaurants with rooms, tented safari camps, country boltholes and city hangouts make the grade over the years, all treasuring their muchcoveted accolade that guarantees a full house for the season ahead.

If you look at the last seven years of the Hot List you'll notice Ireland is conspicuously absent pre2005. That year we snuck on courtesy of Belfast's Malmaison, an outpost of the slick UK hotel group.

In 2006, Galway's G hotel set the flag flying proper, as Celtic cool finally made an impression on the international style barometer.

This year we've finally figured out the art of the hip hostelry with three of Ireland's newest hotels making the grade for the 2007 Hot List. Interestingly, the three hotels are all quite different.

Bellinteer House in Co Meath is a restored Palladian manor that oozes quiet sophistication and understated luxury in equal measures. Dublin's The Dylan is a temple to pared back purity, with a gorgeous interior characterised by witty flashes of colour and oversized furniture. Then there's The Merchant in Belfast where gilt-edged opulence has been taken to daring and dramatic extremes.

All three hotels are undeniably cool, bringing a touch of luxury to holidaying at home. And the good news doesn't stop there. Style lovers in search of somewhere chic to lay their heads will find a small (but perfectly formed) crop of new boutique retreats have opened recently around the country. Our favourites include the funky Ross in Killarney town and The Twelve (pictured) in Bearna, Co Galway. Both offer good value packages, with The Twelve's opening summer rates especially appealing (two nights bed and breakfast with one evening meal, Euro190 pps).

www. thetwelvehotel. ie www. theross. ie