Ashford Castle
Known as a land of staggering landscapes, mysterious ancient monuments and oh-so friendly folk, the Emerald Isle is also the place to enjoy some serious R&R with a stay at the best hotels in Ireland.
Surrounded by the most majestic of scenery, many of these hotels are well-placed for a salt-whipped romp along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Explore the rolling hills of Yeats Country in County Sligo, witness the sheer granite Cliffs of Moher, which stretch for nine miles along the coast of Country Clare, or visit the secluded sandy bays and flintstone villages of Connemara, Galway and the Ring of Kerry. Of course, many just come to hunker down in one of the black-and-white pubs scattered across the land.
Here, you can stay in beautiful stately homes like the Palladian style Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow or a charming country manor like Currarevagh House in Galway, which overlooks Lough Corrib. All champion Ireland’s home-grown produce from the creamy Wicklow farmhouse cheese and sparkling fresh Dublin Bay oysters to organic grass-fed beef from Limerick.
From the historic Ashford Castle in Cong, Galway, to the Hollywood favorite, The Shelbourne in Dublin, these are the best hotels in Ireland to book right now.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
When visiting Galway, there’s no finer place to bed down for the night than the Glenlo Abbey Hotela grand country house hotel which overlooks Lough Corrib. A short hop from the dazzling delights of the city of Galway, this 18th-century hotel is just the spot for some R&R. Guests frequently borrow a rod and line for fishing in the lake, or play a round on the nine-hole golf course. Despite its grandeur, children are very welcome and can take part in falconry lessons or learn golf.
While the epicurean delights of Galway are tempting, make sure you spend at least one night dining at the hotel. There are two excellent restaurants, the River Room and the Pullman, both of which champion the best Galway produce. For atmosphere ye can’t beat The Pullman, set in a pair of antique railway carriages which starred in Murder on the Orient Express.
Only a 30-minute drive from Dublin, Enniskerry is the gateway to exploring the Wicklow mountains and scenic coastline. Part of the historic Powerscourt Estate, the sprawling Palladian style Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa is set in formal gardens and has a rather palatial feel. Inside, it’s all sweeping staircases, arched windows and spectacular views over Great Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Country-chic rooms, fine dining restaurants and elegant bars, there seems little reason to leave the hotel. However, the concierge can arrange all manner of country pursuits from clay pigeon shooting to hiking in the mountains. But for many, it’s all about the spa. Spread over two floors and opening directly out onto the gardens, it’s become a star in its own right thanks to the 24-metre pool studded with Swarovski crystals.
Moments from the scenic Ring of Kerry driving route, there is no finer spot to rest a weary head than the Park Hotel Kenmare, one of the best hotels in Ireland. Perched on the fringe of the charming town of Kenmare, this beautiful Victorian country house is awash in regal glamour; think oak-panelled drawing rooms, pale-pink velvet banquettes and gilt-edged fine art.
The 46 rooms are deliciously grand with heavy silk drapes, polished walnut furnishings and antique oil paintings. Soak away in the Samas spa, which has a thermal outdoor pool overlooking the woodland and the Kenmare River. It also has an indoor pool and a yoga pavilion. There’s even a tiny cinema and a fancy fine dining restaurant serving seven-course tasting menus.
One of the oldest hotels in Dublin, The Shelbourne on St Stephen’s Green is so well regarded by its illustrious guests its called one of Ireland’s national treasures. It first opened its doors in 1824 and has seen everyone from Hollywood greats, Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, staying within its hallowed halls. The rooms and suites are suitably opulent, many feature roaring fireplaces and glittering chandeliers. You can relax in the fancy spa, which has an 18-metre indoor pool, or treat yourself to afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge.
Of course, it has a host of fancy restaurants and bars. Don’t miss a whiskey nightcap in the Horseshoe Lounge, where some of Ireland’s greatest authors, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Seamus Heaney, once roamed.
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Cork, this charming oceanfront hotel offers a beachy alternative to Ireland’s more traditional country hotels. Flooded with sunlight, thanks to the wall-to-ceiling windows, Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa is decked out with contemporary furnishings, modern art and plenty of natural wood. The light and spacious rooms are comfortable, some have modern four-poster beds and many have sweeping views over the Atlantic.
You can dine in the Gulfstream restaurant, where local produce is highly favored and Irish dishes are executed with style. There’s also a relaxed pub-style bistro. It’s a family friendly hotel in Ireland and the staff can organize surf lessons, while teens can hang out in the Netflix room or the games room. Adults tend to favor the spa with its heated saltwater pool, steam rooms and seaweed treatments.
For friendly Irish hospitality but with a five-star swanky setting, the 15th century Lough Eske Castle makes for a rather regal weekend. Perched on the shores of the atmospheric Lough Eske, this stately pile is within easy reach of the town of Donegal and a 30-minute drive from the dramatic sea cliffs of Slieve League.
The 96 rooms have an upmarket country manor vibe, while the bars and lounges are pleasingly baronial: think oak-panelled walls, huge stone fireplaces and fancy antiques. Dine out in the charming Cedars restaurant, which overlooks the castle’s 43 acres of woodland. Alternatively, you can spend the weekend relaxing in Spa Solis, which has an indoor infinity pool, saunas and steam rooms. The staff can also arrange horse riding, surfing and hiking excursions in Donegal.
Perched on the banks of the River Moy, The Ice House Hotel in Ballina was once a 19th-century stone ice store for the salmon fishery. It’s well placed for exploring the ruins of Moyne Abbey, visiting Rosserk Friary, which dates back to the 15th century, or as a launching pad for driving along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Despite its century-old heritage, this modern boutique hotel in Ireland has a contemporary vibe with swathes of glass offering views up and down the river. The rooms are warmly decorated, some are more contemporary than others, while riverside suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows and views over the Moy. Relax in the Chill Spa, which features outdoor seaweed baths, while the modern restaurant has an emphasis on fine seafood.
For opulent Irish grandeur matched with warm, friendly service look no further than Ashford Castle. Originally built in 1228, the former home of the Guinness family on the banks of Lough Corrib is moments from Cong, the rural village where the 1952 film The Quiet Man was set and makes a good base for exploring Connemara.
From the emerald green marble from Connemara to Waterford crystal chandeliers, the hotel champions all of Ireland’s bounty. Statement rooms swathed in rich velvets and gilt-framed oil paintings are fit for royalty. You can relax in the spa, which has an indoor pool, play a round of golf, learn falconry and archery, or go salmon fishing on the River Cong, all of which works up an appetite to dine out on fine Irish cuisine in the George V Dining Room.
With dramatic sweeping views of a mist-laden Lough Corrib, this intimate country house hotel set in a 180-acre private estate is simply packed with character and charm. Run by five generations of the Hodgson family, who’ve lived here since 1840, the Currarevagh is Ireland’s longest running hotel and is the perfect base for exploring the wilds of Connemara – don’t miss a steam in the lakeside sauna, heaven after a day’s hiking.
The 10 rooms have a Downton Abbey vibe and either lake or mountain views. A fine Irish breakfast is included in the rate, while a complimentary afternoon tea with homemade cakes is laid out for guests each day. Dinner is a rather grand affair as the chef prepares a set four-course meal (not included) every evening.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
