Spanish Point, Miltown Malby, Clare, Spanish Point, Ireland | (618) 248-8274
Stylish and modern family-owned hotel in one of Ireland's surf capitals
On a cliff with stunning Atlantic Ocean views
Walk to Spanish Point Beach in 15 minutes
Contemporary, funky guest rooms with bathrobes and free mineral water
Fine dining at The Pearl Restaurant and live music in the pub
Playroom for children with activities and game consoles
Event space with room for up to 400 guests
A good breakfast is included in the room rate
Free parking on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Fairly remote location, guests will need a car to get around
Rooms don’t have minibars
Noise from pub can be disruptive
There are 86 guest rooms at this contemporary three-and-a-half-pearl property set on the edge of
the Atlantic Ocean in Spanish Point. The area is arguably one of the surfing capitals of Ireland and Spanish Point Beach is just a 15-minute walk from here. Rooms are stylish and funky, and many include fantastic ocean views. There’s an excellent restaurant and a traditional Irish pub on-site, and breakfast is included in the room
rate. Wi-Fi and parking are free too, and guests will find a car essential as there's not much within an easy walk -- Miltown Malbay is about five minutes away by road. Hotel Doolin in music-mad Doolin, which sits at the north end of the Cliffs of Moher, is also a fine County Clare stop and may be worth comparing.
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Scene
Busy and popular family-owned hotel with lots of style
This family-owned hotel has a fresh, clean, and homey feel. To the
front of the property is a small thatched roof which is the roof of the
original bar that was built on the site. Over time, the property has been expanded
and developed into the contemporary hotel that it is today. There's a lot to like here from a style perspective alone, including the herringbone parquet floors, plaid rugs, and handsome furniture in the lobby, not to mention the welcome snacks and views of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel attracts a mix of
guests, both domestic and international. It's very popular in the local
community for special occasions and also attracts plenty of coach tour groups, corporate clients, and weddings. The bar and restaurant
are usually busy with locals and hotel guests, particularly at the weekends -- some noise issues from the pub have been reported, but by and large this is a fine place to come and get away from it all.
Location
Remote and tranquil setting, a 15-minute walk from Spanish Point Beach
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and surrounded by farms,
fields, and rolling countryside, the Armada Hotel is in a tranquil and
beautiful spot, a 15-minute walk from Spanish Point Beach. This is one of Ireland's surf capitals, and the breaks in the area can be spectacular. Golfers
will be in their element, too, as there are plenty of top courses nearby. Spanish
Point Golf Club is a five-minute drive while Lahinch Golf Club and Doonbeg Golf
Club are both a 15-minute drive from the hotel. There are many beautiful
coastal towns nearby as well, including Doolin -- known as the center of traditional Irish music -- which is a 20-minute
drive, and Ennis, which is a 30-minute drive away. The stunning Cliffs of Moher, the Loop Head Pennisula, ferries to the Aran Islands, and
the Burren are all within 40 minutes by car as well. The closest town is Miltown Malbay, a five-minute drive up the road. Galway is a half-hour drive from the hotel and it will take about an hour to reach Limerick. Shannon Airport, the closest major one, is a
40-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms
Stylish rooms with funky decor, some include ocean views
Rooms at the Armada Hotel are available in a wide range of categories, but all have bright and funky decor with more personality than many hotels throughout County Clare. Expect to see furniture with antique silhouettes that's been given a shimmery coat of silver paint, or chartreuse and turquoise accents, or sharp wood-grid accent walls. While this playful decor could come off as cheap or tacky, the look is polished, upmarket, and sharp through and through. All guest rooms have flat-screen TVs with
satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, and free mineral water. Superior Rooms all have stunning views of
the Atlantic Ocean. Thoughtful details like built-in bookshelves and cushioned bench window-side seating in some rooms are a nice touch. Spacious suites are available as well, which have an iPod dock, DVD player,
and a freestanding bath set in front of the floor to ceiling windows to make
the most of the ocean views. Bathrooms are stylish and up-to-date too, with countertop basins and large, walk-in showers. One-hundred meters from the hotel is a group of
three-bedroom cottages that are ideal for groups and families. They have full kitchens, but towels are not provided and guests must pay extra
for the gas and electricity used during their stay. Noise can be an issue in some of the main hotel rooms depending on the crowd and events at the pub.
Features
Excellent dining options and a children’s playroom
Guests at the Armada Hotel have breakfast included in the room rate.
This is served at the hotel’s Pearl Restaurant, which focuses on using seasonal,
local produce. Breakfast is a hot and cold buffet with items including local
free-range eggs and meats, home-baked breads, and local jams. In the evening,
the restaurant serves elegant dishes with seafood options like crab,
sea bass, and scallops. The Ocean Bar serves pub food and a carvery lunch as well
as hot drinks. In warmer weather, there’s an outdoor terrace for taking in the
panoramic views. The hotel also has a traditional Irish pub called Johnny
Burkes. It offers Irish craft beers, wholesome food, and a live traditional
music. Children are welcome at the hotel as there is a playroom
aimed at children 4 to 12 years old. It offers coloring, face painting, and a
Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation. The property’s event space caters for up to
400 guests. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free.
