Hotel Doolin

Located directly on Doolin’s main road, this 17-room boutique is like a small village of its own, with several low buildings, a couple of eateries, a famous pub, and its own tourist information office. From the outside, the property may look a little bland and generic, but interiors are modern and stylish, with wood accents, clean lines, and a warm atmosphere. A double-sided fireplace is the lobby’s centerpiece, and a gabled skylight lets in lots of light. Dark wood furniture with lime-green upholstery, wooden floors in two different shades, and brown accent walls make the space feel contemporary and cozy. Small colorful flowers and a large candleholder decorate the L-shaped front desk, covered in long boards of two different types of wood. Free lemonade and tea make for a nice welcome, too. Outside, a lovely garden with a mix of picnic tables and wrought-iron patio furniture, and landscaped flower beds dotted with lanterns, is a popular wedding venue. Fitz’s Pub draws locals and tourists alike with nightly music shows, good bar food, and a lively atmosphere. Guests are mostly couples, along with some families and traveling friends. 

Hotel Doolin is located directly on the main road that cuts through the village. Restaurant, shops, and some of Doolin’s most famous pubs are all within an easy walk from the hotel. Doolin itself is famous for its trad music and nearly all of the town's pubs offer some sort of live music every night of the week. Ferries to the Aran Islands depart from the main pier, located a seven-minute drive from the hotel. The parking lot and main access point for the famous Cliffs of Moher are just a quick, 15-minute drive from the property, though the northern end of the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail (known as Burren Way) is only a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Ireland’s only active spa town, Lisdoonvarna, can be reached in 10 minutes by car, and Lahinch is a 20-minute drive away. Shannon Airport is about one hour away by car, while Dublin Airport is within a three-hour drive. 

The hotel has 17 comfortable, modern rooms with large windows overlooking the patio. Each room is large enough to fit a small seating area with two dark armchairs and a tiny coffee table, as well as a desk with an upholstered chair. Dark wood furniture, beige carpets, and an earth tone palette make rooms contemporary if somewhat generic. A few are showing some wear and tear, with stained carpets, scruff marks, and some minor maintenance issues, but all units feel clean and fresh overall  Each room includes free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, electric kettle and French press, free bottled water, hairdryer, robes and slippers, and ample storage space. Bathrooms are small but clean and have shower/tub combos organic toiletries in large wall-mounted containers. Most rooms are located a little away from the hustle and bustle of the hotel's livelier areas, but a few on the first floor may get some noise from the bars or the courtyard.

Fitz’s Pub is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It offers quality trad shows every night of the week as well as a wide array of beers, cocktails, and a great pub food menu that includes seafood, soups, chicken, burgers, and beef in a cozy space with a fireplace and a friendly atmosphere. Stylish Chervil Restaurant is a tad more formal but equally good, with an upscale Irish menu that features locally sourced organic ingredients, some of which are grown in the hotel’s own garden. Peat fires are lit in the courtyard on some nights -- it's a charming an authentic way to pass the evening. A cafe that serves pizza at night is also convenient for those looking to have a small bite. Additionally, the hotel offers full wedding services -- including tents and catering -- and great freebies such as cooked-to-order breakfast, Wi-Fi, and outdoor parking.