This upscale hotel won't win any architectural awards, though it has won plenty of others -- especially related to its emphasis on providing top-notch services for families. Rooms are modern with decent amenities, though they do lack air-conditioning, and some facing the road can be noisy. They are spacious, however, and feature attractive decor like gold headboards and dark wood accents. Leisure facilities are impressive, especially those for kids: There's a kids' club and organized activities. Rates are on par with this level of hotel, and most nearby options do not offer the same level of amenities, like the on-site spa and the large fitness center.
This upscale hotel won't win any architectural awards, though it has won plenty of others -- especially related to its emphasis on providing top-notch services for families. Rooms are modern with decent amenities, though they do lack air-conditioning, and some facing the road can be noisy. They are spacious, however, and feature attractive decor like gold headboards and dark wood accents. Leisure facilities are impressive, especially those for kids: There's a kids' club and organized activities. Rates are on par with this level of hotel, and most nearby options do not offer the same level of amenities, like the on-site spa and the large fitness center.
Set between three corporate parks, the 155-room Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown is a chain hotel aimed essentially at the business traveler. It manages, however, to break the mold with a mixture of bold design touches and efforts to cater to vacationing families. Its location isn't convenient for a Dublin city break, but it offers easy access to the airport, and a bus that stops right outside the hotel connects to the city center in about 30 minutes. Travelers might want to consider the similarly priced Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, also on the northwest fringes of Dublin.
Set between three corporate parks, the 155-room Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown is a chain hotel aimed essentially at the business traveler. It manages, however, to break the mold with a mixture of bold design touches and efforts to cater to vacationing families. Its location isn't convenient for a Dublin city break, but it offers easy access to the airport, and a bus that stops right outside the hotel connects to the city center in about 30 minutes. Travelers might want to consider the similarly priced Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, also on the northwest fringes of Dublin.
Set in a retail park seven miles from the center of Dublin, this large, upscale, and very 21st-century hotel is not the most convenient for tourists keen to explore Ireland's capital. However, if the location's not a problem, the hotel has plenty going for it -- not least of all, its fun, vibrant interiors, and rooms that emphasize comfort. On-site eating and drinking options are good, too, and there's a small fitness center (but no spa). If the lack of a pool is a deal breaker, check out the similarly-priced Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa a bit farther out.
Set in a retail park seven miles from the center of Dublin, this large, upscale, and very 21st-century hotel is not the most convenient for tourists keen to explore Ireland's capital. However, if the location's not a problem, the hotel has plenty going for it -- not least of all, its fun, vibrant interiors, and rooms that emphasize comfort. On-site eating and drinking options are good, too, and there's a small fitness center (but no spa). If the lack of a pool is a deal breaker, check out the similarly-priced Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa a bit farther out.
With a dark, sexy lobby design, stylish rooms with bay views, and a spa offering treatments for two, this upscale boutique is a solid pick for couples -- but the large suites with kitchenettes, and the myriad kid-friendly amenities make it a favorite among families as well. Its location on the waterfront, a five-minute walk from the city center, is convenient for those looking to explore Bantry. Just note that street-facing rooms can be a little noisy due to traffic, and that the fitness center has no windows.
With a dark, sexy lobby design, stylish rooms with bay views, and a spa offering treatments for two, this upscale boutique is a solid pick for couples -- but the large suites with kitchenettes, and the myriad kid-friendly amenities make it a favorite among families as well. Its location on the waterfront, a five-minute walk from the city center, is convenient for those looking to explore Bantry. Just note that street-facing rooms can be a little noisy due to traffic, and that the fitness center has no windows.
Set on sprawling green parkland a 25-minute drive from the city of Cork, the 103-bedroom Castlemartyr Resort has turned an 18th-century manor house into a full-service, modern retreat that caters to both families and couples. It's ideally located for exploring East Cork and southern Ireland, with the coast just a short drive away, but the grounds also offer plenty of entertainment, including 13th-century ruins, an 18-hole golf course, three restaurants and a bar, and a modern spa and health club with an indoor swimming pool. Spacious rooms have sophisticated country style and big lovely marble bathrooms, though some minor signs of wear are evident.
Set on sprawling green parkland a 25-minute drive from the city of Cork, the 103-bedroom Castlemartyr Resort has turned an 18th-century manor house into a full-service, modern retreat that caters to both families and couples. It's ideally located for exploring East Cork and southern Ireland, with the coast just a short drive away, but the grounds also offer plenty of entertainment, including 13th-century ruins, an 18-hole golf course, three restaurants and a bar, and a modern spa and health club with an indoor swimming pool. Spacious rooms have sophisticated country style and big lovely marble bathrooms, though some minor signs of wear are evident.
The three-floor, 150-room Talbot Hotel Stillorgan is a pleasant, modern, upper-middle-range hotel in Stillorgan, a suburb of Dublin that's a 15-minute drive southeast of the city center. A number of local landmarks are nearby, including University College Dublin, the village of Blackrock, scenic Dublin Bay, and the Dun Laoghaire Ferry. It's one of few hotels in the area and despite its location on the busy N11 road, rooms are quiet. This property offers a full-service spa, grill bar, restaurant with inventive international and Irish cuisine, and mostly contemporary rooms with electric kettles and free Wi-Fi. For a similarly priced hotel closer to town, try Number 31, a boutique hotel with fresh rooms near St. Stephen's Green.
The three-floor, 150-room Talbot Hotel Stillorgan is a pleasant, modern, upper-middle-range hotel in Stillorgan, a suburb of Dublin that's a 15-minute drive southeast of the city center. A number of local landmarks are nearby, including University College Dublin, the village of Blackrock, scenic Dublin Bay, and the Dun Laoghaire Ferry. It's one of few hotels in the area and despite its location on the busy N11 road, rooms are quiet. This property offers a full-service spa, grill bar, restaurant with inventive international and Irish cuisine, and mostly contemporary rooms with electric kettles and free Wi-Fi. For a similarly priced hotel closer to town, try Number 31, a boutique hotel with fresh rooms near St. Stephen's Green.
The 131-room Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort is an upscale property on 186 acres of parkland located outside the historic town of Trim. Including an 18-hole championship golf course, it's a family-friendly property with extensive conference facilities and a luxury day spa. Rooms are spacious and clean, with large bathrooms and private patios or balconies plus electric kettles and flat-screen TVs. Other appealing features include an indoor pool, a health club with fitness classes, and plenty to do for kids including a game room and a kids' club. There are several dining and drinking options, offering live music on some evenings.
The 131-room Knightsbrook Hotel & Golf Resort is an upscale property on 186 acres of parkland located outside the historic town of Trim. Including an 18-hole championship golf course, it's a family-friendly property with extensive conference facilities and a luxury day spa. Rooms are spacious and clean, with large bathrooms and private patios or balconies plus electric kettles and flat-screen TVs. Other appealing features include an indoor pool, a health club with fitness classes, and plenty to do for kids including a game room and a kids' club. There are several dining and drinking options, offering live music on some evenings.
Mount Druid Boutique Camping is a three-pearl bespoke 'glamping' (glamorous camping) site set on a 100-acre organic sheep farm. There is an assortment of 26 different accommodations available, from traditional Mongolian Yurts to a range of boutique guest houses, huts, and free-standing caravans. Guests have shared access to the converted loft space, with a fully-equipped kitchen, large communal dining tables, fitness facilities, and a sauna. The hotel hosts a range of event spaces geared at business functions and wedding parties, with customized catering available and a quirky on-site tin chapel for wedding ceremonies. Be warned, though: boots should be packed in case of wet weather, as the grounds can get muddy, and most guests need to bring their own towels and toiletries. For a slightly less remote glamping option, guests should try Galway Glamping, which is a 25-minute drive from Galway, on Ireland's west coast.
Mount Druid Boutique Camping is a three-pearl bespoke 'glamping' (glamorous camping) site set on a 100-acre organic sheep farm. There is an assortment of 26 different accommodations available, from traditional Mongolian Yurts to a range of boutique guest houses, huts, and free-standing caravans. Guests have shared access to the converted loft space, with a fully-equipped kitchen, large communal dining tables, fitness facilities, and a sauna. The hotel hosts a range of event spaces geared at business functions and wedding parties, with customized catering available and a quirky on-site tin chapel for wedding ceremonies. Be warned, though: boots should be packed in case of wet weather, as the grounds can get muddy, and most guests need to bring their own towels and toiletries. For a slightly less remote glamping option, guests should try Galway Glamping, which is a 25-minute drive from Galway, on Ireland's west coast.
The 87-room Park Hotel and Leisure Center is a traditional upper-middle-range property located on the outskirts of Dungarvan. Traditional, contemporary interiors include a lovely high-ceilinged lobby lounge with lots of cozy nooks full of comfortable seating, as well as a restaurant and atmospheric bar with live traditional music. There’s also a large leisure center with a swimming pool, as well as a kids’ pool, sauna, steam room, and modern fitness center. Rooms are clean and pleasant, with traditional decor and amenities that include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but bathrooms are small and could use an update. Dungarvan’s town center, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, is within a five-minute walk.
The 87-room Park Hotel and Leisure Center is a traditional upper-middle-range property located on the outskirts of Dungarvan. Traditional, contemporary interiors include a lovely high-ceilinged lobby lounge with lots of cozy nooks full of comfortable seating, as well as a restaurant and atmospheric bar with live traditional music. There’s also a large leisure center with a swimming pool, as well as a kids’ pool, sauna, steam room, and modern fitness center. Rooms are clean and pleasant, with traditional decor and amenities that include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but bathrooms are small and could use an update. Dungarvan’s town center, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops, is within a five-minute walk.
The 82-room, mid-range Finnstown Castle Hotel occupies an expansive 17th-century manor house estate with well-kept gardens. The opulent period decor is striking, though some might find it dated. Rooms are generally spacious, but some are dark, others have poor views, and some guests complain of housekeeping and maintenance issues. The hotel offers an excellent breakfast buffet, though it's not always included, plus there's an on-site restaurant, two popular bars, a drawing room, and a lounge. Guests also have access to a heated indoor pool, steam room, and tennis court. Finnstown Castle is located in a residential suburb about a 20-minute drive from central Dublin and there's little to do in the area. For something centrally located, travelers might want to check out the upper-middle-range O’Callaghan Stephen’s Green.
The 82-room, mid-range Finnstown Castle Hotel occupies an expansive 17th-century manor house estate with well-kept gardens. The opulent period decor is striking, though some might find it dated. Rooms are generally spacious, but some are dark, others have poor views, and some guests complain of housekeeping and maintenance issues. The hotel offers an excellent breakfast buffet, though it's not always included, plus there's an on-site restaurant, two popular bars, a drawing room, and a lounge. Guests also have access to a heated indoor pool, steam room, and tennis court. Finnstown Castle is located in a residential suburb about a 20-minute drive from central Dublin and there's little to do in the area. For something centrally located, travelers might want to check out the upper-middle-range O’Callaghan Stephen’s Green.