Address: 331 Malahide Marina Village, Malahide, Co Dublin

Agent: Knight Frank

This 168sq m two-bedroom apartment on two levels has been decorated with an eye on smart hotel-type living. The home has a tri-aspect open-plan kitchen/living/dining room with balconies offering views to Malahide estuary, village and marina. Spiral stairs lead to a mezzanine with glass balustrade and an en suite bedroom beyond. The other, main, bedroom has a balcony and the sleek bathroom has both a bath and shower cubical. BER B3

Plus: In heart of Malahide Marina with balconies overlooking the water. Lovely wide-plank flooring

Minus: The sloped ceiling can make it feel a bit cramped in places

Address: The Old Rectory, Blessington, Co Wicklow

Agents: JP & M Doyle and Sherry FitzGerald

There are views of Blessington lakes from this five-bedroom house built in the 1870s. Secluded by 4.9 acres (1.98 hectares), it has large period windows. The ground floor has a drawing, sitting and dining room, a kitchen, utility, cloakroom and toilet. The five bedrooms are upstairs, plus a bathroom. The main one is en suite. The 265sq m house is on the edge of Blessington town, 25km southwest of Dublin. BER exempt

Plus: Huge windows linking to the large amount of land for the area and views to Blessington lakes

Minus: Needs an upgrade and perhaps reconfiguration as the diningroom is one room removed from the kitchen