Privacy and cookiesJobsDatingOffersShopPuzzles SubscribeRegisterLog in Friday 29 August 2014 Home Hotels Destinations Cruise USA Family Rail Ski Luxury Deals London UK Europe North America Central America/Caribbean South America Africa/Indian Ocean Asia Australia/Pacific Middle East West Coast Ireland: where to stay The best hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts in West Coast Ireland, including luxury accommodation and cheap accommodation. Read the reviews and book them here at the lowest prices. Overview Getting there Stay Eat Drink Do Free things to do Beaches 36 Hours in... Map data ©2014 Google Terms of Use Neil Hegarty Destination expert Neil Hegarty is the author of the bestselling Story of Ireland (BBC Books), a history of the island from the earliest times to the present day. Neil is from Derry, and has lived in Dublin for the last 20 years. A former editor of Time Out: Dublin, his work has been published widely, and his travel writing appears regularly in The Daily Telegraph. Follow Neil on Twitter: @nphegarty. Reviews for places in the city and county of Galway have been written by Lorna Siggins, a correspondent for The Irish Times, and a Galway city resident. £££ Rathmullan House (1 on map) Beautiful Rathmullan House stands amid spacious grounds beside the shores of Lough Swilly. It’s a classic Georgian country house hotel: upmarket and generally swish, with open fires and – a big plus point for me – a generally uncrusty, relaxed atmosphere, with staff to match. The gardens, including a working Victorian walled kitchen garden, run down to Rathmullan’s long Blue Flag beach, and many of the 34 rooms offer sea views. One of its four comfortable lounges is child free, but otherwise this is decidedly a child-friendly sort of place, with tennis and a pool available and plenty of space to romp. Good rooms: consider an upgrade to a Superior Room with balcony or (on the ground floor) garden patio. Note too, though, that all rooms are quiet in this tranquil place, with no traffic or other noise to worry about. And really excellent food: a choice or two bars and one restaurant, with many menu ingredients locally sourced (the kitchen cooks with the superb golden rapeseed oil produced hereabouts) or grown on site. Beautiful Rathmullan House stands amid spacious grounds beside the shores of Lough Swilly. Address: Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Fanad, County Donegal Contact: 00 353 74 915 8188; rathmullanhouse Getting there: bus from Letterkenny to Rathmullan (twice daily, Mon-Fri only) Price: from €160 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: essential Download the free Telegraph Travel app to destinations worldwide: itunes.apple More Telegraph Travel expert guides Talbot Hotel (2) A far-flung place like the lonely Mullet peninsula needs a fine focal point for community and visitors alike: thank goodness, then, for the existence of the family-run Talbot Hotel in Belmullet, and its general cheery vibe. It’s a great place from which to explore the dramatic beauty of the Mullet, play golf at Carne, just down the road – or simply to take your ease for a few days. The maritime-themed hotel bar, An Chéibh (The Anchor), is the centre of operations, with pub grub available all day; the bar too has been extended a little, but the hotel has been wise in choosing to maintain its existing ambience. The smart new restaurant, The Barony, named for the historical Barony of Ennis hereabouts, has a seafood-friendly menu. Accommodation has been upgraded in recent years. The 21 rooms are now positively plush, with all mod cons. A variety of special packages are available to include dinner and (for example) a round of gol; under 12s stay free. The smart new restaurant, The Barony, has a seafood-friendly menu. Address: Barrack Street, Belmullet, County Mayo Contact: 00 353 97 20484; thetalbothotel.ie Getting there: bus from Ballina to Belmullet (daily service) Price: from €140 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Gregans Castle Hotel (3) Lovely Gregans Castle enjoys a beautiful setting, on a shoulder of the spectacular Burren and with wonderful views across to Galway Bay. For all of its long past and present excellence – the original building is a manor house dating from the 18th century, and the hotels combination of antique furniture and modern art are very impressive – this an unfussy, unpretentious sort of place, though without ever stinting on the luxury. Its quite small, with only 21 bedrooms in various permutations. The standard rooms are lovely, though you might opt to move up a step into a superior room, some of which offer private patio space in the splendid gardens. The usual beauty and relaxation treatments are on offer, but this is very much an outdoorsy place too; with this in mind, dogs are welcome here. Gregans is cheerily child-friendly, and has an award-winning restaurant too with an emphasis on the local, as is customary here in the Burren, so theres no need to go hunting abroad for good food. The hotel offers half-day walking excursions on the Burren with local guides, a very good way to gain an insight into this unique part of Ireland. Lovely Gregans Castle enjoys a beautiful setting, on a shoulder of the spectacular Burren and with wonderful views across to Galway Bay. Address: Corkscrew Hill, Ballyvaughan, County Clare Contact: 00 353 65 707 7005; gregans.ie Getting there: bus from Galway to Ballyvaughan (multiple services) Price: from €180 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Park Hotel Kenmare (4) The Park Hotel Kenmare, in extensive grounds on the edge of pretty Kenmare, is something of an Irish institution: run by the high-profile Brennan brothers, its one of the most famous country house hotels in the country. Its origins lie in the late 19th century, when holidays in green, beautiful Kerry were all the rage among the well-heeled of Ireland (and further afield too; Victoria was famously a fan of the region). Today, the Park has stood the test of time and reinvented itself for the modern age. It’s a delightful place: splendid rooms and luxurious public areas; an (indoor) swimming pool, and an outdoor infinity pool with a range of excellent treatments in the adjoining Sámas spa; and sky-high standards of service. It’s expensive, though do check online for special packages. Standard rooms offer garden views; upgrade to a Superior Room for views over the Kenmare River. We had coffee on the terrace overlooking the sunlit gardens, noting in the process that the Parks afternoon tea offers the sort of ritualised service – silver tea strainer, anyone? – one would expect in such a hotel. If you cant justify the expense of actually staying here, then do consider popping in for tea and a similarly excellent experience. Upgrade to a Superior Room for views over the Kenmare River. Address: Kenmare, County Kerry Contact: 00 353 64 664 1200; parkkenmare Getting there: bus from Killarney and Cork to Kenmare (multiple services) Price: from €330 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: Essential ££ The Glen House (5) On the day I visited, the path to the nearby Glenevin Waterfall was busy with walkers, many of whom would later call into the bright Rose Tea Room in the conservatory at The Glen House for a cuppa and a freshly baked pick-me-up. This coming and going is part of the energy of The Glen House. The comfortable b & b, in business since 2005, has something magnetised about it, which I put down to all that baking and the warm welcome. Even with a new wing now added, we’re still only talking eight bedrooms. Great breakfasts, as you would expect, but note: no evening meals. The dual-aspect Superior Room in the original part of Glen House has wonderful views of the granite-glinting Urris hills and Atlantic. A spacious, three-bed Family Room is also available. This comfortable b & b has something magnetised about it. Address: Straid, Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal Contact: 00 353 74 937 6745; glenhouse.ie Getting there: bus from Derry to Carndonagh (twice daily), then take a taxi to Clonmany Price: from €80 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended The Ice House (6) The Ice House hotel perches on the edge of the River Moy on the quays of Ballina, a short stroll north of town. Small – only 32 rooms – and modern, it prides itself on a touch of luxury, with goosedown duvets in the bedrooms and Voya seaweed products (by the seaweed baths at Strandhill, east along the coast) in the bathrooms. Ask for one of the terrific riverside rooms: these come with dramatic sheets of window overlooking the Moy. The original building boasts a most interesting history. It actually was an ice store, associated with Ballina’s lucrative salmon fishery, and the stone vaults in which the ice was kept are now the (excellent) restaurant. Continuing the seaweedy theme, the Chill spa area features a seaweed bath, as well as an outdoor tub by the river and all the usual treatments. This is hip sort of place but not tiresomely so; children are welcome, and under 7s go free. The hotel, by the way, can arrange a spot of fishing on the Moy. The terrific riverside rooms come with dramatic sheets of window overlooking the Moy. Address: Quay Road, Ballina, County Mayo Contact: 00 353 96 23500; icehousehotel.ie Getting there: train or bus to Ballina (multiple services) Price: from €90 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Cloisters Bed and Breakfast (7) On a pretty Victorian terrace opposite Kinsale’s Church of John the Baptist, The Cloisters is instantly identified by its neat, sky-blue window shutters. Its immaculate, welcoming, fairly easy on the budget in this pricey town, and perhaps best of all, within a short stroll of Kinsales harbour and plethora of eating and drinking spots. Orla and Aileen are warm, knowledgeable hosts. Each of the four rooms (one single, the others double) are en suite. Breakfast – as youd expect in foodie Kinsale – is top-notch; try the pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Consider requesting a room at the back; the church bells can be delightfully atmospheric – or something of a vexation, depending on your point of view. WiFi comes as standard. The Cloisters is instantly identified by its neat, sky-blue window shutters. Address: 2 Friars Street, Kinsale, County Cork Contact: 00 353 21 470 0680; cloisterskinsale Getting there: bus from Cork to Kinsale (multiple services) Price: from €80 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway (8) Ive never stayed in the Radisson Blus 120 square-metre penthouse suite overlooking Galways Lough Atalia and the bay beyond, but some close friends have, and they are still talking about it – very Hollywood was their verdict. I swear by the Radisson because of its central location: theres easy access to Galways train, coach and bus stations, the tourist office is just around the corner, and restaurants, pubs and city and Salthill sights are in easy walking distance. Facilities within the hotel complex include the Spirit One spa, swimming pool, gym and sushi restaurant. Bedrooms are clean and functional, with funky, contemporary décor and big bright windows. The hotels ample breakfasts, ranging from hot buffet to cereals, fresh fruits and home bakes, will fuel you for the day. Be warned that the hotel can be invaded by hen and stag parties at weekends – a hazard of all Galway hotels. Its a favourite haunt for artists and performers during the citys annual arts festival (second half of July), and for artists of another kind during the Galway Races week, Irelands version of Cheltenham, in the last week of July/early August. Facilities within the hotel complex include a sushi restaurant. Address: Lough Atalia Road, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 538 300; radissonblu.ie Getting there: train or bus to Galway city (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Opening times: Price: from €115 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Corrib House (9) When the River Corrib is in spate, 18 million litres of water per second tumble through the gates of its Salmon Weir close to Corrib House, a Georgian building now run as tea rooms and a boutique b & b. Writer James Joyce is said to have visited the two-storey townhouse – the tiny family home of his wife, Nora Barnacle, is not far away in Bowling Green. The guest house is right across from Galways Town Hall Theatre and just over the bridge from the university campus. It has just four guest rooms, complete with original fireplaces, writing desks and sash windows, and three have views of the Corrib: look out for swans, otters, and the weirs resident heron. I love the tea rooms downstairs, where you can have breakfast with all sorts of egg combinations like Corrib House eggs benedict that comes with a black pudding potato cake and crispy smoked bacon, or the poached eggs with smoked salmon on a spinach potato cake. From lunchtime, the tea rooms are humming with the chatter of legal eagles, taking a break from the courthouse next door. Look out for swans, otters, and the weirs resident heron. Address: 3 Waterside, Woodquay, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 446 753; corribhouse Getting there: train or bus to Galway city (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Price: from €100 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (10) Gilbert, the resident duty manager at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, is as likely to offer you a glass of champagne as to tell you where to go in best Monty Python fashion when you arrive. Hes a parrot, and his owners, the Hughes family, have run this hotel on Clifdens Sky Road since 1969. Its not actually a castle at all, but was built as a house by Clifden town founder John dArcy in 1832. Initially leased to the parish priest, it then became a Protestant orphanage for a time. Now it is a lively hotel just outside Clifden town centre with a distinctly personal touch. Its not just the complimentary afternoon tea and scones and the bedrooms with gas fires and four-poster beds that sell it, but the possibility of being invited to an impromptu party. Brian Hughes, who plays piano, is a consummate entertainer, and everyone is encouraged to join in. So its not necessarily for those who want a quiet retreat... For golfers, the hotel can secure special green fees at the Connemara Golf Club close by. The Hughes family, have run this hotel on Clifdens Sky Road since 1969. Address: Sky Road, Clifden, County Galway Contact: 00 353 95 21202; abbeyglen.ie Getting there: citylink bus from Galway coach station to Clifden (multiple ervices) Opening times: Price: from €119 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended £ Mainistir House (11) Mainistir House hostel sits above the harbour on Inishmore on the road to Dún Aonghusa. Joel d’Anjou’s establishment is a colourful, family-friendly place with a vaguely bohemian air, and has fantastic views across Galway Bay to the hills of Connemara on the mainland. A range of accommodation is on offer: the four dorm rooms (not en suite) each have six beds; a couple of double rooms (one en-suite) are tucked in at the back; and theres a twin (not en suite) upstairs. Do note that facilities here are perfectly adequate, but essentially basic. A simple continental breakfast is offered as part of the deal – but the main event here, as we found, is the communal dinner, with a buffet of (mainly vegetarian) dishes served at 8pm each night. It’s a great way to socialise and meet fellow travellers; bring your own wine. Tucked into the coast below the hostel is a lovely little sandy beach: delightful for a swim, if you can brave the chilly waters. Remember that accommodation is limited at any time of the year out here on the islands, so do book well in advance. You can walk from the harbour (where the ferry drops you) up to Mainistir (about 20 minutes) – or pick up one of the minibuses that crisscross the island. This hostel is a colourful, family-friendly place with a vaguely bohemian air. Address: Mainistir, Inishmore, Aran Islands, County Galway Contact: 00 353 99 61169; mainistirhousehostel Getting there: ferry: Aran Island Ferries from Ros an Mhil (Rosaveel) to Inishmore; Doolin Ferries from Doolin to Inishmore, Mar-Oct only. Air: Aer Arann from Inverin to Inishmore Price: from €50 for a double room with shared bathroom; dorm bed €20 per person; prices include breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: essential Skellig Ring House (12) Skellig Ring House is a pleasant, convenient and inexpensive hostel on the Ring of Kerry. The place is modern (it opened seven years ago) and perfect if you want to break your journey in this spectacular part of Ireland: Portmagee, where the hostel is located, is a laid-back and very agreeable village, and an ideal base for exploring green, gentle Valentia Island, just the other side of the bridge. The hostel is clean, well maintained and appointed and has accommodation in all shapes and forms, including private en-suite doubles, family rooms and dorm rooms. There are also well-equipped kitchens for self-catering, dining rooms and a lounge, and WiFi is free; please note that meals are not provided. It really is crucial to book ahead, especially in summer when such accommodation is in exceptionally high demand. The hostel is located, is a laid-back and very agreeable village. Address: Portmagee, County Kerry Contact: 00 353 66 948 0018; skelligringhouse Getting there: no public transport: drive or take a taxi Price: per person: dorm accommodation from €12, double room from €18 Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Auburn House (13) Auburn House, part of a colourful Victorian terrace snaking across one of Cork citys characteristically steep hills, offers excellent home-from-home accommodation in the city centre. The location is unbeatable: the main shopping drag of St Patricks Street is a five-minute stroll away, as are the main train and bus stations, and cheerful MacCurtain Street, with its shops and theatre, is just the next street below. The six bedrooms (all en suite) at Auburn House are quite simply furnished, but brightened with window boxes: request a south-facing one at the back of the house for fine views down the hill and across the city rooftops. The place is professionally run by Olive and Ciaran, who are pleased to go the extra mile. Good, hefty breakfasts are served, with vegetarian options always available. The location of Auburn House is unbeatable. Address: Garfield Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork, County Cork Contact: 00 353 21 450 8555; auburnguesthouse Getting there: train and bus to Cork (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Price: from €58 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended St Judes B&B (14) Ita and Tony Johnstone have been running a bed and breakfast in their restored 1920s period house in Lower Salthill for two decades now. Theres a lovely old Galway feel about their home, with its big, wide welcoming stairway in their warm hall. Off-street parking here in this residential area of town makes the b & b an ideal base for a car trip to the west, but its also within two minutes of the sea and the east end of Salthill promenade. Grattan beach, just down from the promenade, is one of my favourites, because it tends to be quieter but has wonderful views out to the mouth of the bay and the Aran islands beyond. The six bedrooms include a lovely family room which overlooks the mature garden at the back, and a ground-floor twin or double room with French windows opening out onto a patio. Breakfasts, served in a dining room with linen tablecloths and Edwardian furnishings, are hearty, range from continental to fruit to full Irish, along with homemade breads and jams, and they cater for vegetarian and gluten-free diets. Youll get herbal tea and drinking chocolate options, along with good coffee and Irish breakfast tea. The Johnstones daughter Sinéad trained at one of Irelands top culinary schools in Ballymaloe, and she can cook you an evening meal if you reserve it. Its advisable to book accommodation here well ahead. Theres a lovely old Galway feel about this bed and breakfast. Address: 110 Lower Salthill, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 521 619; st-judes Getting there: bus from Galway city centre to Salthill (401) Price: from €70 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended The Bards Den (15) If you climb Diamond Hill in Connemaras National Park and take a selfie with your phone at the top, The Bards Den hostel in nearby Letterfrack promises to serve you up a bowl of best seafood chowder and a pint of Guinness, free. Loved by walkers, climbers and scuba divers alike, the independent hostel is modern and comfy, and comes with a bar and small restaurant for continental breakfast, lunch and evening meals up to 9pm. It has 12 en-suite rooms, ranging from private twins, doubles and triples to several dormitories with four to eight beds, so its great for kids. Ive used it as a base for walking and for attending the annual Connemara bog and sea weeks run by the indomitable Letterfrack environmentalist Leo Hallissey. Located in the centre of Letterfrack village, the hostel is within close driving distance of Kylemore Abbey, the ferry to Inishbofin from Cleggan, and to the aforementioned national park and Twelve Ben mountains. Book early for the private rooms, as they go quickly. This independent hostel is modern and comfy, loved by walkers and scuba divers alike. Address: Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway Contact: 00 353 95 41042; bardsden Getting there: citylink bus from Galway coach station to Letterfrack (multiple services) Price: per person: from €15 in an eight-bed room, from €25 in a private double; rates include breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Download the free Telegraph Travel app to destinations worldwide: itunes.apple More Telegraph Travel expert guides Follow Telegraph Travel on Twitter Share 149 Facebook 86 Twitter 62 LinkedIn 1 Book Hotels Cottages Where (hotel, city, address, landmark or map) Check in: Check out: Rooms: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ Guests: 1 2 3 4 Search Advertising Snow and Ski Cruise World Travel Neilson Ski Deals Book your 2013/14 ski holiday now and save £££’s! 2-4-1 lift passes, £100 Ellis Brigham Vouchers, savings of up to £150pp! 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Read the reviews and book them here at the lowest prices. Overview Getting there Stay Eat Drink Do Free things to do Beaches 36 Hours in... Map data ©2014 Google Terms of Use Neil Hegarty Destination expert Neil Hegarty is the author of the bestselling Story of Ireland (BBC Books), a history of the island from the earliest times to the present day. Neil is from Derry, and has lived in Dublin for the last 20 years. A former editor of Time Out: Dublin, his work has been published widely, and his travel writing appears regularly in The Daily Telegraph. Follow Neil on Twitter: @nphegarty. Reviews for places in the city and county of Galway have been written by Lorna Siggins, a correspondent for The Irish Times, and a Galway city resident. £££ Rathmullan House (1 on map) Beautiful Rathmullan House stands amid spacious grounds beside the shores of Lough Swilly. It’s a classic Georgian country house hotel: upmarket and generally swish, with open fires and – a big plus point for me – a generally uncrusty, relaxed atmosphere, with staff to match. The gardens, including a working Victorian walled kitchen garden, run down to Rathmullan’s long Blue Flag beach, and many of the 34 rooms offer sea views. One of its four comfortable lounges is child free, but otherwise this is decidedly a child-friendly sort of place, with tennis and a pool available and plenty of space to romp. Good rooms: consider an upgrade to a Superior Room with balcony or (on the ground floor) garden patio. Note too, though, that all rooms are quiet in this tranquil place, with no traffic or other noise to worry about. And really excellent food: a choice or two bars and one restaurant, with many menu ingredients locally sourced (the kitchen cooks with the superb golden rapeseed oil produced hereabouts) or grown on site. Beautiful Rathmullan House stands amid spacious grounds beside the shores of Lough Swilly. Address: Rathmullan House, Rathmullan, Fanad, County Donegal Contact: 00 353 74 915 8188; rathmullanhouse Getting there: bus from Letterkenny to Rathmullan (twice daily, Mon-Fri only) Price: from €160 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: essential Download the free Telegraph Travel app to destinations worldwide: itunes.apple More Telegraph Travel expert guides Talbot Hotel (2) A far-flung place like the lonely Mullet peninsula needs a fine focal point for community and visitors alike: thank goodness, then, for the existence of the family-run Talbot Hotel in Belmullet, and its general cheery vibe. It’s a great place from which to explore the dramatic beauty of the Mullet, play golf at Carne, just down the road – or simply to take your ease for a few days. The maritime-themed hotel bar, An Chéibh (The Anchor), is the centre of operations, with pub grub available all day; the bar too has been extended a little, but the hotel has been wise in choosing to maintain its existing ambience. The smart new restaurant, The Barony, named for the historical Barony of Ennis hereabouts, has a seafood-friendly menu. Accommodation has been upgraded in recent years. The 21 rooms are now positively plush, with all mod cons. A variety of special packages are available to include dinner and (for example) a round of gol; under 12s stay free. The smart new restaurant, The Barony, has a seafood-friendly menu. Address: Barrack Street, Belmullet, County Mayo Contact: 00 353 97 20484; thetalbothotel.ie Getting there: bus from Ballina to Belmullet (daily service) Price: from €140 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Gregans Castle Hotel (3) Lovely Gregans Castle enjoys a beautiful setting, on a shoulder of the spectacular Burren and with wonderful views across to Galway Bay. For all of its long past and present excellence – the original building is a manor house dating from the 18th century, and the hotels combination of antique furniture and modern art are very impressive – this an unfussy, unpretentious sort of place, though without ever stinting on the luxury. Its quite small, with only 21 bedrooms in various permutations. The standard rooms are lovely, though you might opt to move up a step into a superior room, some of which offer private patio space in the splendid gardens. The usual beauty and relaxation treatments are on offer, but this is very much an outdoorsy place too; with this in mind, dogs are welcome here. Gregans is cheerily child-friendly, and has an award-winning restaurant too with an emphasis on the local, as is customary here in the Burren, so theres no need to go hunting abroad for good food. The hotel offers half-day walking excursions on the Burren with local guides, a very good way to gain an insight into this unique part of Ireland. Lovely Gregans Castle enjoys a beautiful setting, on a shoulder of the spectacular Burren and with wonderful views across to Galway Bay. Address: Corkscrew Hill, Ballyvaughan, County Clare Contact: 00 353 65 707 7005; gregans.ie Getting there: bus from Galway to Ballyvaughan (multiple services) Price: from €180 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Park Hotel Kenmare (4) The Park Hotel Kenmare, in extensive grounds on the edge of pretty Kenmare, is something of an Irish institution: run by the high-profile Brennan brothers, its one of the most famous country house hotels in the country. Its origins lie in the late 19th century, when holidays in green, beautiful Kerry were all the rage among the well-heeled of Ireland (and further afield too; Victoria was famously a fan of the region). Today, the Park has stood the test of time and reinvented itself for the modern age. It’s a delightful place: splendid rooms and luxurious public areas; an (indoor) swimming pool, and an outdoor infinity pool with a range of excellent treatments in the adjoining Sámas spa; and sky-high standards of service. It’s expensive, though do check online for special packages. Standard rooms offer garden views; upgrade to a Superior Room for views over the Kenmare River. We had coffee on the terrace overlooking the sunlit gardens, noting in the process that the Parks afternoon tea offers the sort of ritualised service – silver tea strainer, anyone? – one would expect in such a hotel. If you cant justify the expense of actually staying here, then do consider popping in for tea and a similarly excellent experience. Upgrade to a Superior Room for views over the Kenmare River. Address: Kenmare, County Kerry Contact: 00 353 64 664 1200; parkkenmare Getting there: bus from Killarney and Cork to Kenmare (multiple services) Price: from €330 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: Essential ££ The Glen House (5) On the day I visited, the path to the nearby Glenevin Waterfall was busy with walkers, many of whom would later call into the bright Rose Tea Room in the conservatory at The Glen House for a cuppa and a freshly baked pick-me-up. This coming and going is part of the energy of The Glen House. The comfortable b & b, in business since 2005, has something magnetised about it, which I put down to all that baking and the warm welcome. Even with a new wing now added, we’re still only talking eight bedrooms. Great breakfasts, as you would expect, but note: no evening meals. The dual-aspect Superior Room in the original part of Glen House has wonderful views of the granite-glinting Urris hills and Atlantic. A spacious, three-bed Family Room is also available. This comfortable b & b has something magnetised about it. Address: Straid, Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal Contact: 00 353 74 937 6745; glenhouse.ie Getting there: bus from Derry to Carndonagh (twice daily), then take a taxi to Clonmany Price: from €80 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended The Ice House (6) The Ice House hotel perches on the edge of the River Moy on the quays of Ballina, a short stroll north of town. Small – only 32 rooms – and modern, it prides itself on a touch of luxury, with goosedown duvets in the bedrooms and Voya seaweed products (by the seaweed baths at Strandhill, east along the coast) in the bathrooms. Ask for one of the terrific riverside rooms: these come with dramatic sheets of window overlooking the Moy. The original building boasts a most interesting history. It actually was an ice store, associated with Ballina’s lucrative salmon fishery, and the stone vaults in which the ice was kept are now the (excellent) restaurant. Continuing the seaweedy theme, the Chill spa area features a seaweed bath, as well as an outdoor tub by the river and all the usual treatments. This is hip sort of place but not tiresomely so; children are welcome, and under 7s go free. The hotel, by the way, can arrange a spot of fishing on the Moy. The terrific riverside rooms come with dramatic sheets of window overlooking the Moy. Address: Quay Road, Ballina, County Mayo Contact: 00 353 96 23500; icehousehotel.ie Getting there: train or bus to Ballina (multiple services) Price: from €90 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Cloisters Bed and Breakfast (7) On a pretty Victorian terrace opposite Kinsale’s Church of John the Baptist, The Cloisters is instantly identified by its neat, sky-blue window shutters. Its immaculate, welcoming, fairly easy on the budget in this pricey town, and perhaps best of all, within a short stroll of Kinsales harbour and plethora of eating and drinking spots. Orla and Aileen are warm, knowledgeable hosts. Each of the four rooms (one single, the others double) are en suite. Breakfast – as youd expect in foodie Kinsale – is top-notch; try the pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Consider requesting a room at the back; the church bells can be delightfully atmospheric – or something of a vexation, depending on your point of view. WiFi comes as standard. The Cloisters is instantly identified by its neat, sky-blue window shutters. Address: 2 Friars Street, Kinsale, County Cork Contact: 00 353 21 470 0680; cloisterskinsale Getting there: bus from Cork to Kinsale (multiple services) Price: from €80 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway (8) Ive never stayed in the Radisson Blus 120 square-metre penthouse suite overlooking Galways Lough Atalia and the bay beyond, but some close friends have, and they are still talking about it – very Hollywood was their verdict. I swear by the Radisson because of its central location: theres easy access to Galways train, coach and bus stations, the tourist office is just around the corner, and restaurants, pubs and city and Salthill sights are in easy walking distance. Facilities within the hotel complex include the Spirit One spa, swimming pool, gym and sushi restaurant. Bedrooms are clean and functional, with funky, contemporary décor and big bright windows. The hotels ample breakfasts, ranging from hot buffet to cereals, fresh fruits and home bakes, will fuel you for the day. Be warned that the hotel can be invaded by hen and stag parties at weekends – a hazard of all Galway hotels. Its a favourite haunt for artists and performers during the citys annual arts festival (second half of July), and for artists of another kind during the Galway Races week, Irelands version of Cheltenham, in the last week of July/early August. Facilities within the hotel complex include a sushi restaurant. Address: Lough Atalia Road, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 538 300; radissonblu.ie Getting there: train or bus to Galway city (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Opening times: Price: from €115 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Corrib House (9) When the River Corrib is in spate, 18 million litres of water per second tumble through the gates of its Salmon Weir close to Corrib House, a Georgian building now run as tea rooms and a boutique b & b. Writer James Joyce is said to have visited the two-storey townhouse – the tiny family home of his wife, Nora Barnacle, is not far away in Bowling Green. The guest house is right across from Galways Town Hall Theatre and just over the bridge from the university campus. It has just four guest rooms, complete with original fireplaces, writing desks and sash windows, and three have views of the Corrib: look out for swans, otters, and the weirs resident heron. I love the tea rooms downstairs, where you can have breakfast with all sorts of egg combinations like Corrib House eggs benedict that comes with a black pudding potato cake and crispy smoked bacon, or the poached eggs with smoked salmon on a spinach potato cake. From lunchtime, the tea rooms are humming with the chatter of legal eagles, taking a break from the courthouse next door. Look out for swans, otters, and the weirs resident heron. Address: 3 Waterside, Woodquay, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 446 753; corribhouse Getting there: train or bus to Galway city (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Price: from €100 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (10) Gilbert, the resident duty manager at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, is as likely to offer you a glass of champagne as to tell you where to go in best Monty Python fashion when you arrive. Hes a parrot, and his owners, the Hughes family, have run this hotel on Clifdens Sky Road since 1969. Its not actually a castle at all, but was built as a house by Clifden town founder John dArcy in 1832. Initially leased to the parish priest, it then became a Protestant orphanage for a time. Now it is a lively hotel just outside Clifden town centre with a distinctly personal touch. Its not just the complimentary afternoon tea and scones and the bedrooms with gas fires and four-poster beds that sell it, but the possibility of being invited to an impromptu party. Brian Hughes, who plays piano, is a consummate entertainer, and everyone is encouraged to join in. So its not necessarily for those who want a quiet retreat... For golfers, the hotel can secure special green fees at the Connemara Golf Club close by. The Hughes family, have run this hotel on Clifdens Sky Road since 1969. Address: Sky Road, Clifden, County Galway Contact: 00 353 95 21202; abbeyglen.ie Getting there: citylink bus from Galway coach station to Clifden (multiple ervices) Opening times: Price: from €119 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended £ Mainistir House (11) Mainistir House hostel sits above the harbour on Inishmore on the road to Dún Aonghusa. Joel d’Anjou’s establishment is a colourful, family-friendly place with a vaguely bohemian air, and has fantastic views across Galway Bay to the hills of Connemara on the mainland. A range of accommodation is on offer: the four dorm rooms (not en suite) each have six beds; a couple of double rooms (one en-suite) are tucked in at the back; and theres a twin (not en suite) upstairs. Do note that facilities here are perfectly adequate, but essentially basic. A simple continental breakfast is offered as part of the deal – but the main event here, as we found, is the communal dinner, with a buffet of (mainly vegetarian) dishes served at 8pm each night. It’s a great way to socialise and meet fellow travellers; bring your own wine. Tucked into the coast below the hostel is a lovely little sandy beach: delightful for a swim, if you can brave the chilly waters. Remember that accommodation is limited at any time of the year out here on the islands, so do book well in advance. You can walk from the harbour (where the ferry drops you) up to Mainistir (about 20 minutes) – or pick up one of the minibuses that crisscross the island. This hostel is a colourful, family-friendly place with a vaguely bohemian air. Address: Mainistir, Inishmore, Aran Islands, County Galway Contact: 00 353 99 61169; mainistirhousehostel Getting there: ferry: Aran Island Ferries from Ros an Mhil (Rosaveel) to Inishmore; Doolin Ferries from Doolin to Inishmore, Mar-Oct only. Air: Aer Arann from Inverin to Inishmore Price: from €50 for a double room with shared bathroom; dorm bed €20 per person; prices include breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: essential Skellig Ring House (12) Skellig Ring House is a pleasant, convenient and inexpensive hostel on the Ring of Kerry. The place is modern (it opened seven years ago) and perfect if you want to break your journey in this spectacular part of Ireland: Portmagee, where the hostel is located, is a laid-back and very agreeable village, and an ideal base for exploring green, gentle Valentia Island, just the other side of the bridge. The hostel is clean, well maintained and appointed and has accommodation in all shapes and forms, including private en-suite doubles, family rooms and dorm rooms. There are also well-equipped kitchens for self-catering, dining rooms and a lounge, and WiFi is free; please note that meals are not provided. It really is crucial to book ahead, especially in summer when such accommodation is in exceptionally high demand. The hostel is located, is a laid-back and very agreeable village. Address: Portmagee, County Kerry Contact: 00 353 66 948 0018; skelligringhouse Getting there: no public transport: drive or take a taxi Price: per person: dorm accommodation from €12, double room from €18 Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Auburn House (13) Auburn House, part of a colourful Victorian terrace snaking across one of Cork citys characteristically steep hills, offers excellent home-from-home accommodation in the city centre. The location is unbeatable: the main shopping drag of St Patricks Street is a five-minute stroll away, as are the main train and bus stations, and cheerful MacCurtain Street, with its shops and theatre, is just the next street below. The six bedrooms (all en suite) at Auburn House are quite simply furnished, but brightened with window boxes: request a south-facing one at the back of the house for fine views down the hill and across the city rooftops. The place is professionally run by Olive and Ciaran, who are pleased to go the extra mile. Good, hefty breakfasts are served, with vegetarian options always available. The location of Auburn House is unbeatable. Address: Garfield Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork, County Cork Contact: 00 353 21 450 8555; auburnguesthouse Getting there: train and bus to Cork (multiple services); walking distance from train/bus stations Price: from €58 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended St Judes B&B (14) Ita and Tony Johnstone have been running a bed and breakfast in their restored 1920s period house in Lower Salthill for two decades now. Theres a lovely old Galway feel about their home, with its big, wide welcoming stairway in their warm hall. Off-street parking here in this residential area of town makes the b & b an ideal base for a car trip to the west, but its also within two minutes of the sea and the east end of Salthill promenade. Grattan beach, just down from the promenade, is one of my favourites, because it tends to be quieter but has wonderful views out to the mouth of the bay and the Aran islands beyond. The six bedrooms include a lovely family room which overlooks the mature garden at the back, and a ground-floor twin or double room with French windows opening out onto a patio. Breakfasts, served in a dining room with linen tablecloths and Edwardian furnishings, are hearty, range from continental to fruit to full Irish, along with homemade breads and jams, and they cater for vegetarian and gluten-free diets. Youll get herbal tea and drinking chocolate options, along with good coffee and Irish breakfast tea. The Johnstones daughter Sinéad trained at one of Irelands top culinary schools in Ballymaloe, and she can cook you an evening meal if you reserve it. Its advisable to book accommodation here well ahead. Theres a lovely old Galway feel about this bed and breakfast. Address: 110 Lower Salthill, Galway City Contact: 00 353 91 521 619; st-judes Getting there: bus from Galway city centre to Salthill (401) Price: from €70 for a double room, including breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended The Bards Den (15) If you climb Diamond Hill in Connemaras National Park and take a selfie with your phone at the top, The Bards Den hostel in nearby Letterfrack promises to serve you up a bowl of best seafood chowder and a pint of Guinness, free. Loved by walkers, climbers and scuba divers alike, the independent hostel is modern and comfy, and comes with a bar and small restaurant for continental breakfast, lunch and evening meals up to 9pm. It has 12 en-suite rooms, ranging from private twins, doubles and triples to several dormitories with four to eight beds, so its great for kids. Ive used it as a base for walking and for attending the annual Connemara bog and sea weeks run by the indomitable Letterfrack environmentalist Leo Hallissey. Located in the centre of Letterfrack village, the hostel is within close driving distance of Kylemore Abbey, the ferry to Inishbofin from Cleggan, and to the aforementioned national park and Twelve Ben mountains. Book early for the private rooms, as they go quickly. This independent hostel is modern and comfy, loved by walkers and scuba divers alike. Address: Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway Contact: 00 353 95 41042; bardsden Getting there: citylink bus from Galway coach station to Letterfrack (multiple services) Price: per person: from €15 in an eight-bed room, from €25 in a private double; rates include breakfast Payment type: credit cards accepted Reservations: recommended Download the free Telegraph Travel app to destinations worldwide: itunes.apple More Telegraph Travel expert guides Follow Telegraph Travel on Twitter Share 149 Facebook 86 Twitter 62 LinkedIn 1 Book Hotels Cottages Where (hotel, city, address, landmark or map) Check in: Check out: Rooms: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ Guests: 1 2 3 4 Search Advertising Snow and Ski Cruise World Travel Neilson Ski Deals Book your 2013/14 ski holiday now and save £££’s! 2-4-1 lift passes, £100 Ellis Brigham Vouchers, savings of up to £150pp! 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Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 17:28:20 +0000
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