ireland hotels

Adare Hotels – Dunraven Arms Hotel

Adare is described as the prettiest tourist village in Ireland; this long, low, yellow-fronted inn is in the main street, among thatched cottages and prize-winning gardens. It is smoothly run along traditional lines, but there is nothing old-fashioned about the extensive facilities, including a health and leisure centre. Adare, Co Limerick.

Adare Manor Hotel

Massive Victorian pile with Gothic façade, formal gardens and vast estate. Style is grand; indoor pool; golf course; riding. Adare, Co Limerick.

Athlone Hotels – Hodson Bay Hotel

The large white hotel stands by the shores of Lough Ree, in open countryside and next to the golf course, with views of islands in the lake from the bar and dining room. Rooms are smartly co-ordinated; dinner is eaten by candlelight. Superb facilities and reasonable prices make this excellent value. Private marina. Roscommon Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

Ardfert Hotels – Barrow House

This 18th-century house on the water’s edge at Barrow Harbour and next to Arnold Palmer-designed Tralee golf course has been extensively refurbished, providing comfort, style, warm hospitality and dramatic views. One room has a spa bath and there is a house helicopter for guests. West Barrow, Ardfert, Tralee, Co Kerry

Ballylickey Hotels – Ballylickey Manor House

Ireland’s veteran Relais and Chateaux establishment is perfectly placed at the head of Bantry Bay, with views of the sea from the front rooms. In the main house are pretty suites; wooden cottages by the pool house tidy rooms. Poolside restaurant and charming gardens. Ballylickey, Bantry Bay, Co Cork

BALLYLICKEY Hotels – Sea View House Hotel

Owner-run Victorian house with garden and sea views. Legendary hospitality; accomplished country-house cooking. Ballylickey, Bantry, Co Cork.

BALLYNAHINCH Hotels – Ballynahinch Castle

A Connemara castle with its own salmon and trout fishery and 13,000-acre shoot. Dine on local produce. Recess, Connemara, Co Galway.

BALLYVAUGHAN Hotels – Hyland’s Hotel

In a small seaside village, among the strange limestone landscape of The Burren, this snug old coaching inn offers good value. Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.

Hotel Gregans Castle

High standards of service and an excellent table are assured at this country house hotel, set in a green valley in the limestone Burren area. The dining room has views of Galway Bay; lunch is served in the bar, with turf fires and beams. The largest bedrooms are in the west wing. Good walking country, within easy driving distance of Shannon. Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.

Bushmills Hotel – The Bushmills Inn

This restored coaching inn is the perfect place to enjoy an evening in front of a turf fire, and a Black Bush from the nearby Bushmills whiskey distillery. The Victorian-style bar (gas lighting) adjoins the original kitchen. Bedrooms in the Coaching Inn are smallish; those in the riverside Mill House are much larger. 9 Dunluce Rd, Bushmills, Co Antrim BT57 8QG

Belfast Hotels – McCausland Hotel

In the city’s commercial heart, two former seed warehouses opened as a stylish luxury hotel in 1998. Individually designed bedrooms, including three for disabled guests, provide state-of-the-art technology. Fine dining in the Merchants Restaurant, or enjoy the continental atmosphere of Café Marco Polo. 34-38 Victoria St, Belfast BT1 3GH.

CLIFDEN Hotels – Ardagh Hotel

Purpose-built, family-run hotel, as close to the seashore as could be managed; wonderful sunset views from the dining room. Ballyconneely Rd, Clifden, Co Galway

Castlebaldwin Hotels – Cromleach Lodge Country House

The small, beautifully appointed hotel is set among hills with views over Lough Arrow. All rooms have lake views. The hotel and its restaurant scoop up awards for their impressive attention to detail and friendly service. The area has peacefulness in abundance and is a walker’s paradise. Castlebaldwin, Boyle, Co Sligo

Cong Hotels – Ashford Castle and Country Estate

The massive mock-Gothic pile, built for the Guinness family in the late 1800s, is now American-owned and one of Ireland’s most luxurious castle hotels. It has a stunning location on the shores of Lough Corrib, with views of the lake’s many islands, and is surrounded by formal gardens. Egon Ronay Best Hotel in Ireland for seven years running. Cong, Co Mayo. Map

Clifden Hotels – Rock Glen Country House Hotel

The 18th-century shooting lodge, refurbished in 2002, is renowed as one of the most romantic hotels in Ireland. In the extensive grounds, grassy paths lead through a meadow down to the seashore. Inside, sitting rooms are cosy, with turf fires; a large conservatory has views towards the bay. Tennis court. Clifden, Co Galway.

Donegal Hotels – St Ernan’s House Hotel

The hotel achieves its aim of providing a bolt-hole from the pressures of modern life: it is set on a secluded tidal island in Donegal Bay, joined to the mainland by a causeway. The house was built in 1826 by a nephew of the Duke of Wellington; original features remain. Sea views from all rooms. St Ernan’s Island, Donegal, Co Donegal.

COLLOONEY Hotels – Markree Castle

In Yeats country and home of the Cooper family for 350 years, one of the finest castles of its age; magnificent gilded dining room. Collooney, Co Sligo.

CRAWFORDSBURN Hotels – The Old Inn

One of Ireland’s oldest inns, with history going back to 1614; panelling, log fires, canopied beds and modern comfort. Crawfordsburn, Co Down BT19 1JH.

DINGLE Hotels – Dingle Skellig Hotel

Lively, modern hotel with sea views and pleasant decor. Irish entertainment; heated pool; gardens; local seafood. Dingle, Co Kerry.

CORK Hotels – Maryborough House Hotel

A mix of old and new gives charm and character to fine Georgian house. Garden; library; heated indoor pool. Maryborough Hill, Douglas, Cork, Co Cork.

DONEGAL Hotels – Harvey’s Point Country Hotel

Luxury lakeside hotel provides quiet seclusion, attentive staff and a fine table. Prior booking essential. Lough Eske, Donegal, Co Donegal.

Gorey Hotels – Marlfield House Hotel

The magnificent and romantic 1830s country house – once the home of the Earls of Courtown – has received many accolades. Rooms and bathrooms are suitably luxurious; there are six sumptuous ‘state’ rooms and a helipad. The vast and beautiful gardens include a lake and wildlife preserve. Gorey, Co Wexford.

Holywood Hotels – Culloden Hotel

Once a palace of the Bishops of Down and set in the Holywood Hills overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coast, the Culloden is now a five-star hotel. Facilities include a health spa with pool and steam room. Ten suites were refurbished in 1998. Golf nearby. Courtesy car service. Bangor Rd, Holywood, Co Down BT18 0EX.

Kanturk Hotels – Assolas Country House

The family-owned, 17th-century greystone house has gained a reputation for good food and warm hospitality. The North Cork countryside is extremely peaceful, and the house stands on the banks of a small river, in award-winning gardens. The kitchen makes much use of local cheeses and the house’s own organic vegetables and fruits. Kanturk, Co Cork.

Innishannon Hotels – Innishannon House Hotel

The River Brandon borders the gardens of the country house (built 1720), and there are many walks; boating and fishing in the grounds. Rooms are imaginatively furnished, with modern art on the walls and a growing collection of ‘historic’ baths. Seafood is a speciality in the award-winning restaurant. Innishannon, Co Cork.

Kilkenny Hotels – Butler House

The large Georgian townhouse was once the dower house to Kilkenny Castle, the family seat of the earls of Ormond. The stylish 1970s interior is simple and modern, with airy, uncluttered rooms and lots of black, cream and white. Walk through the formal garden to the castle. Cellar restaurant. 16 Patrick St, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

DUNFANAGHY Hotels – Arnold’s Hotel

This friendly, family-run waterside hotel makes a perfect touring base. Good food; helpful staff; striking bay views. Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal.

DUNLAVIN Hotels – Rathsallagh House

Converted Queen Anne stables with golf course. Luxurious bedrooms and country house cooking at its best. Dunlavin, Co Wicklow.

GALWAY Hotels – Ardilaun House Hotel

Open fires and awardwinning restaurant await at the end of the treelined avenue to this 19th-century house. Sauna. Taylor’s Hill, Salthill, Galway, Co Galway.

Norman Villa

An inspiring mixture of brass beds, modern art and polished pine floors. Helpful hosts provide tea, maps and parking. 86 Lower Salthill, Galway, Co Galway

Kinsale Hotels – Blue Haven Hotel

This cosy, busy hotel is much loved by Irish and American media folk. Brightly painted in blue and yellow, it features lots of nautical brass and plants; log fires in cold weather. Acclaimed seafood restaurant. The largest bedrooms are in the next-door annexe. New owners took over in 1999. 3 Pearse St, Kinsale, Co Cork.

Mallow Hotels- Longueville House

The O’Callaghan family is back at Longueville after a 300-year absence; from their imposing Georgian manor, the ruins of their former castle can be seen. History blends well with the culinary brilliance of chef William O’Callaghan, who uses produce from the estate’s farm, gardens and nearby Blackwater River. Mallow, Co Cork.

Londonderry Hotels – Beech Hill Country House Hotel

In a quiet suburb of Londonderry, within woodland with streams and a small lake, is this gracious late 18th-century house. Food – ‘Modern Irish with global overtones’ – is taken seriously; formal, elegant restaurant. A leisure centre with sauna, steam room and fitness room opened in 1999. 32 Ardmore Rd, Londonderry, Co Londonderry BT47 3QP.

Maynooth Hotels – Hotel Moyglare Manor

Half a mile of avenue leads to this Georgian country house, set in extensive parkland near the historic town and within easy driving distance of Dublin airport. The interior is opulent yet unusual and comfortable, with furniture and fittings of many periods; antiques in the bedrooms. The cosy, intimate bar and dining room are candlelit and have open fires. Maynooth, Co Kildare

GLENDALOUGH Hotels – Glendalough Hotel

Family-run hotel in the Wicklow Mountains. Good traditional cooking and remarkable dining-room views. Glendalough, Co Wicklow.

KENMARE Hotels – Sheen Falls Lodge

Manor house in a splendid setting, in semi-tropical gardens, within sight and sound of the River Sheen. Heated indoor pool. Kenmare, Co Kerry.

KENMARE Hotels – Park Hotel Kenmare

Gracious living, worldclass cuisine, friendly staff; newly opened luxury spa. Good base on the Ring of Kerry. Kenmare, Co Kerry.

Killorglin Hotels – Ard-na-Sidhe

The ‘Hill of the Fairies’ is a suitably romantic Edwardian house in lakeside gardens. Caragh Lake, Killorglin, Co Kerry

Newmarket on Fergus Hotels – Hotel Dromoland Castle

The ancestral home of the O’Briens, descendants of Brian Boru, 11th-century king of Ireland, is a fairy-tale castle. It was made over in Gothic style with turrets and ramparts in the 1800s, and stands beside a lake. Today’s luxury hotel has lavish amenities and oak panelling. Jackets and ties to be worn after 7pm. Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare

Portaferry Hotels – Hotel The Narrows

Once through the 18th-century entrance archway, guests might never want to leave this inspiring waterfront courtyard restoration. All rooms have views of Strangford Lough; local artists’ work are dotted about the walls; the restaurant looks out on boats and sunsets. Yachtspeople welcome; berths available. 8 Shore Rd, Portaferry, Co Down BT22 1JY.

Newport Hotels – Newport House

Fisherfolk heaven: the owners of the traditionally-run country house have fishing rights on a stretch of the River Newport, which borders the parkland, and the nearby lough. Fish is always on the menu; the house has its own superb whiskey-cured salmon. Lunchtime picnic hampers provided; anglers’ tales in the bar in the evening. Four-poster beds in some rooms. Newport, Co Mayo.

Rathmullan Hotels – Hotel Rathmullan House

Inside or out, there are glorious views of Lough Swilly and mountains from this large, rambling, informal country house. Its gardens slope down to long, sandy beaches, and the area is ideal for walking. There are three attractive sitting-rooms, with log fires. Excellent facilities include an indoor pool and steam room. Rathmullan, Co Donegal.

KINVARA Hotels – Merriman Hotel

The fishing village hotel has one of the largest thatched roof in Ireland. There are regular sessions of Irish music in the bar. Main St, Kinvara, Co Galway.

RATHNEW Hotels – Tinakilly Country House

Victorian house with views of the Irish Sea and a celebrated kitchen. Bedrooms have four-poster beds. Rathnew, Wicklow, Co Wicklow.

RENVYLE Hotels – Renvyle House Hotel

The grounds of this house with a fascinating history jut out into the Atlantic, with the Connemara countryside all around. Pool. Renvyle, Connemara, Co Galway

OUGHTERARD Hotels – Currarevagh House

Country house hotel in woodland beside Lough Corrib sets a relaxed tone; fishing, tennis. Superb breakfasts. Oughterard, Connemara, Co Galway

Rathnew Hotels – Hunter’s Hotel

In the same family for five generations, this former coaching inn with delightful, riverside garden oozes old-fashioned charm. Popular with Dubliners seeking rusticity: open fires; polished brass; fresh flowers; simple, pretty bedrooms with antiques. Good food; summer teas on the lawn a tradition of the house. Newrath Bridge, Rathnew, Co Wicklow

Straffan Hotels – The K Club

The chateau-style building, complete with a mansard roof, looks like it was transplanted from France, yet it was built in the 1870s as a private home. It is now an unashamedly smart hotel, with views over to the renowned K Club golf course. Some bedrooms overlook the River Liffey. A French restaurant completes the luxury package. Straffan, Co Kildare

Shanagarry Hotels – Hotel Ballymaloe House

First rustled up for guests in the Allens’ farmhouse kitchen in the 1960s, Ballymaloe cooking has become the cornerstone of modern Irish country house cuisine. Now there’s a cookery school of international repute and an organic farm. But this is still a welcoming family home, with excellent breakfasts. No TV. Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork

Thomastown hotels – Mount Juliet Conrad

A world of its own. The splendid greystone Georgian house sits in a private estate on the River Nore, surrounded by converted outbuildings and cottages. Features include stuccoed ceilings and marble mantelpieces. Riding on trails on the estate; Jack Nicklausdesigned golf course. Super king-sized beds. Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

ROSSLARE Hotels – Kelly’s Resort Hotel

Almost an Irish institution. Bill Kelly’s cellar and art collection are among his many gifts as an hotelier. Leisure facilities; beach. Rosslare, Co Wexford.

SKIBBEREEN Hotels – West Cork Hotel

This busy family-run establishment was once a railway hotel; it is still a focal point of West Cork life. Courtesy, relaxed hospitality; excellent crab cakes and steaks. Ilen St, Skibbereen, Co Cork.

SNEEM Hotels – Great Southern Hotel Parknasilla

A spacious Victorian hotel known for welcoming service; subtropical gardens lead down to the shore. Pool. Sneem, Co Kerry.

ROSSNOWLAGH Hotels – Sand House Hotel

Pink castellated hotel on a popular sandy beach in Donegal Bay. Many rooms have sea views. Award-winning restaurant. Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal