text: It seemed a somewhat unusual honeymoon destination for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. But the couple insist they fell in love with the 'calm' of Ireland on a previous visit and just had to return. Of course, they did it in style, staying at the 18th-century Ballyfin, at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the centre of the country. And now the five-star hotel has been given the highest accolade, declared the grandest hotel in Ireland by Conde Nast Traveller magazine. Splendour! Ballyfin has been named by travel publication Condé Nast Traveller as the grandest hotel in Ireland . The five-star retreat boasts a luxurious pool, which can be enjoyed with privacy due to its small volume of rooms . Grand retreat! With only 20 rooms for the 614 acre estate, this 5 star luxury hotel is the perfect place for a break from the stresses of the modern world and provides discretion and privacy like few other destinations . Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the five-star Ballyfin played host to the famous couple last May . The high profile couple were seen travelled by Mercedes to the hotel during their first holiday as a married couple, last year. The famous couple headed to the picturesque Co Laois area, following tying the knot in an opulent Italian wedding ceremony last May 24. Many were baffled at them shunning popular exotic holiday destinations such as the Seychelles and Maldives but Kim tweeted her explanation. 'We spent Kanye's bday in Ireland a few years back & fell in love with it! Its such a calming relaxing place!' The couple enjoyed a relaxing stay at the hotel, which has only 20 rooms on its 614 acre estate . Set at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, the entirety of the elegant Ballyfin can be hired out for a small €25,000 (£18,000) a night. It prides itself on promoting a break from the stresses of modern life, and maintaining privacy for guests. With only 20 rooms on the 614 acre estate, it aims to be a relaxing haven for its guests. During their Irish stay, the couple headed to the local cinema, to the surprise of locals, and enjoyed the outdoors with a mountain biking trek. Intimate luxury! The elegant manor house has snug rooms restored to their 18th century glory . The interior decoration of the hotel is renown for being one of the finest examples of the Neoclassical and Empire periods in Ireland. Guests can take their pick of luxurious places to relaxing, from the eighty-foot library and Gold Drawing Room, to the grand saloon. Hidden away behind a secret bookcase in the library is even a sun-filled conservatory. The rooms are bedecked with Irish art and antiques from around the world, aiming to preserve the elegance from Ballyfin's 1820s beginning. The house has long been admired  in Ireland, and after eight years of restoration, Ballyfin re-opened in May 2011 as a 5 star country house hotel . Last year Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe revealed that visitors to Ireland from Great Britain increased by 11.3 per cent, with an extra 178,200 visitors on 2013. Visits from Kim and Kayne, combined with the filming of Game of Thrones, helped to boost these numbers dramatically. Ballyfin remained discreet on the impact of the couple's stay on its own popularity. A spokesperson for the hotel said: 'The privacy Ballyfin affords is one of many compelling reasons that guests will choose to stay at the hotel. 'Ballyfin respects this at all times and would never compromise this stance.' Enjoy the stunning hotel, or take advantage of the picturesque outside gardens and areas . Opulent! Condé Nast Traveller has dubbed the five-star 18th century manor hotel as the grandest hotel in the country . Unusual honeymoon! Kim and Kanye were seen heading to the cinema twice during their first holiday as a couple . Guests can enjoy the immaculate rooms inside the 1820s house which can be hired out for £18,000 (€25,000) a night .
target: Five-star Ballyfin has was given the prestigious award in the publication's latest edition .
  The high-profile couple stayed there last May on their honeymoon following their Italian nuptials .
  The entirety of the elegant hotel can be hired out for £18,000 (€25,000) a night .