Some of the Best Accommodation in Ireland

In this post I want to offer up some of the best accommodation in Ireland — aka Lynne’s favorite accommodation in Ireland.

I’m really honing in on the places I’ve stayed that I really like and would definitely recommend.

I’ll tell you where each guesthouse or B&B is located and then why I recommend it — why I love it.

The properties are definitely scattered about.

And I will offer up honorable mentions to hotels and guesthouses that I haven’t stayed, but where clients have and have given their recommendation.

I know we aren’t traveling now, but it’s a good time to begin planning a bit — do a little daydreaming and some research.

That way when we can fully travel again, we are ready to go.

So are you excited to learn about some of my favorite places to stay in Ireland?

Let’s do this!

One note: Due to COVID-19, some of these wonderful guesthouses and B&B’s could close in the coming months although I hope not!

At the time of this writing they were all still in business, though some were closed for the rest of 2020 due to the pandemic.

We all know the situation is constantly changing so do check with each accommodation.

 

Hillside Lodge

Location: 2km from Clifden out on Sky Road, County Galway, Ireland — in the Connemara area of County Galway

Why I love it:

Hillside Lodge is one of my absolute favorite Irish accommodation.

First of all is the location.

While it’s not right in the heart of town, the 2km is very walkable on the road as this road sees many walkers, cyclists and even runners.

It’s kind of the best of both worlds as you are out in the rural area of Connemara yet close enough to town to not be too isolated.

And you can drive to town if you want or, as I did, walk into town during the daylight hours then take a taxi back at night.

Secondly, Ruth is a fabulous host.

She and her husband, Stuart, are the owners.

Stuart works in the music business so is often out on the road so I didn’t get to meet him.

Ruth is a lovely person with a big smile.

She’s very helpful but in a quiet way.

Never pushy or hovering, Ruth is there when you want some assistance in deciding where to go or what to do.

Third is that this house is decorated in a hip, modern, clean, simple, colorful and eclectic way.

And while that description may not sound like it works, it does.

There are fun, quirky touches that make Hillside Lodge homey and memorable like the rubber duckies in the showers and the big stuffed sheep in the entry way.

Fourth, the breakfast is amazing!

There is a buffet breakfast with fruits, cereals, yogurt, bread, juice, coffee and tea.

Plus you can order a hot breakfast by filling out the menu in your room and putting the form in the appointed spot at the bottom of the stairs.

It’s all delicious and Ruth will cater to those with dietary restrictions.

Just let her know in advance.

Lastly, the rooms are all decorated uniquely and are comfortable.

I stayed in The Beatles room which pays homage to the Fab 4.

All the beds are super comfy and have quality sheets and blankets.

The bathrooms are a perfect size with hot showers, fluffy towels and the toiletries you need as well as a rubber ducky.

You’ll find an electric tea kettle and all you need to make a cuppa.

There’s also a U2 room which I fell in love with since this is one of my favorite bands.

I’ve had clients stay at Hillside Lodge as well and they have all loved it telling me it is one of the best accommodation in Ireland.

I agree!

 

Sea Mist House B&B

Location: Clifden, County Galway, Ireland

Why I love it:

I only stayed here 1 rainy day and night a few years ago, but I love this B&B.

First of all it’s right in the town of Clifden, sitting just on the edge of town.

So it’s not in the center but only a block from all you need — quiet yet near all the action.

Secondly is that Sea Mist is a quintessential Irish B&B with charming rooms.

I had a top of the house, slanted roof room which was perfect for a solo, short female traveler.

On a rainy day it was warm and cozy.

Thirdly is breakfast is fabulous.

The buffet with yogurt, fruit, cereal, juice, coffee, tea, scones, bread…oh my!

And you can order up a hot breakfast too.

Yes, you can fill up!

The breakfast room is beautiful being a kind of garden room/conservatory.

I love it.

Lastly is the price is very reasonable at €40-55/person sharing.

Location, charm and price — Sea Mist is definitely one of the best accommodation in Ireland.

 

Brookhaven House B&B (Unfortunately this property is now permanently closed)

Location: 1km from Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland — out on the Ring of Kerry

Why I love it:

3 nights here and I think I could have stayed longer.

Brookhaven is one of the best accommodation in Ireland for a few reasons.

I love it first and foremost because of Mary, your host.

She is warm and caring.

I was treated to tea and cake upon my arrival.

She called my room to ensure I was warm enough as the second day I was there was particularly rainy, windy and chilly.

Mary is someone who truly cares about her customers.

Secondly is the location.

Yes, you’ll have to drive into Waterville as the road — the Ring of Kerry road — is busy.

But the house sits back from the road so it’s quiet.

However, the location is great because you can get to town easily or drive to Skellig Ring which is the “extra” ring of the Ring of Kerry where the motor coaches can’t go.

It’s gorgeous!

I also love Brookhaven House because the rooms are warm and spacious with lots of storage and the bathrooms are a good size.

Lastly I have to mention the breakfast.

Once again there is a delicious buffet with yogurt, cereals, fruit, juices, tea, coffee and breads.

And yes, you can get a made-to-order hot breakfast too.

 

Abbey Court B&B

Location: Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland

Why I love it: 

Kenmare has lots of places to stay.

My all time favorite B&B closed down a few years ago so I’ve been searching for some good alternatives because you all know I love(!) this town.

Abbey Court is now on my list.

Why do I love this B&B?

Once again I start with location.

It’s on the outskirts of town out the R569 about 1.5km from the heart of Kenmare.

And it’s just down the road from Kenmare Golf Course.

Abbey Court sits back off the main road so it’s quiet.

It also happens to have views out the back of the house to Kenmare Bay and the Caha Mountains.

I had a marvelous view out to the bay and the mountains of the stunning Kerry landscape.

There is a sidewalk so you can easily walk into town and back again.

The second reason Abbey Court is one of the best accommodation in Ireland is that the rooms are warm and comfortable, decorated in a traditional style with lots of wood.

I was quite cozy in my bed each night.

Thirdly is a fabulous breakfast.

While there is no buffet, the Ceallaigh family brings the buffet to your table.

You’ll get fruit, breads, cereals, cheeses and a choice of something hot.

It’s all delicious.

Lastly Abbey Court is another B&B in Ireland that is very reasonable.

Prices run from €40-55/person sharing.

This a great deal for all you get.

 

Gort na Mona B&B

Location: Ardara, County Donegal, Ireland — 2km from the center of town

Why I love it:

One night here wasn’t enough.

Gort na Mona B&B is a lovely place to stay — one of the best accommodation in Ireland for sure.

I love it first and foremost because of the rooms which have lots of wood.

I’m a huge fan of wood floors and wood furniture.

The rooms are tastefully decorated.

Plus the bed was über comfy.

Secondly, Gort na Mona is in a wonderful location.

It is 2km outside of town, so it sits more in the rural landscape of southern County Donegal.

The road is not one I would walk on so driving to town is best.

The location is very peaceful and quiet.

The third reason I recommend this B&B is the breakfast.

I remember lovely jams and preserves, breads, scones, yogurt, tea, coffee, cereals and lots of choices for a hot breakfast.

Eggs fresh from their farm as well as those jams being homemade too.

Yum!

The breakfast room is charming as well.

Lastly, the hosts, Fiona and Laurence, are warm and friendly.

Fiona chatted with me over breakfast.

And Laurence grew up just across the street from where Gort na Mona stands.

He is a local with lots of great stories.

And they’re a young couple with school aged kids.

I’d go back to this fabulous B&B in a heartbeat.

 

The Whins

Location: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland — just 750m from town

Why I love it:

So many reasons to love The Whins.

It is easily one of the best places to stay in Ireland.

Period.

First of all John and Barbara are the best hosts.

John is originally from Dunfanaghy, moved to the US for a while and then met Barbara — an American — and they moved back.

They are warm and welcoming.

John and Barbara both are great with names.

Typically John would come out with the food as Barbara was busy in the kitchen.

He always used people’s names when addressing them — asking them how they were that morning.

And he was great at introducing guests to each other.

I also recommend The Whins for its fabulous location.

It’s on the main road but sits just enough away to not be noisy.

You can walk the 750m to town easily as there is a sidewalk.

From The Whins you can drive about anywhere you want to explore this piece of County Donegal.

Oh, and the town beach — Killahoey — is just across the road on the back side of the golf course.

So if you’re a golfer or a beach lover, the location is even better.

Thirdly are the rooms which are each unique, tastefully — and thoughtfully — decorated and very clean.

I had a small double room on the ground floor that was perfect for a single traveler.

I loved that there was an electric blanket as it was early spring and it was a bit chilly!

Lastly is the breakfast room/lounge.

The view from this spot over the golf course is beautiful.

And the room has a fire place which John is always happy to tend to.

I remember him having a fire a few mornings at breakfast to keep me warm.

In the afternoons a plate of cookies would appear.

An electric kettle along with tea is always available.

It’s a cozy place to sit in the late afternoons after a day out sightseeing.

I have so much love for this small B&B.

 

Hanora’s Cottage

Location: Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry, Count Waterford, Ireland

Why I love it:

This is a special place for sure.

The first reason I love it is why some folks may not — it’s located in the middle of nowhere.

Seriously.

Hanora’s Cottage — a “country house” and restaurant — is about 6.5km from the village of Ballymacarbry.

There’s not much around beside Irish hills, sheep, farms and the river that runs in front of the property.

It’s a wonderful spot to slow down and just enjoy the simple Irish country life.

Secondly the food is delicious.

Breakfast is amazeballs with every imaginable choice, much of it locally sourced.

And, since you are in the middle of nowhere, you can eat dinner here as well.

You get 3 courses for a set price and the meals are superb.

The food at Hanora’s is one of the reasons I highly recommend it.

Well that and the peaceful location.

The last reason Hanora’s is one of the best accommodation in Ireland is because the house is simply lovely.

All of it.

The sitting room is warm and cozy — the perfect place to warm up after a chilly walk in the hills or to read a book.

The rooms are of varying sizes but are furnished in a traditional style.

Bathrooms are a good size with the superior rooms and junior suite having double tubs.

I will admit that Hanora’s Cottage is not for those on a budget.

But for a splurge, I highly recommend it.

 

Glasha Farmhouse

Location: Nire Valley, Ballymacarbry, County  Waterford, Ireland

Why I love it:

Yes another accommodation in the Nire Valley.

Glasha Farmhouse is about 4km from Ballymacarby in the opposite direction of Hanora’s Cottage and very close to the border with County Tipperary.

This is another of those special places to stay in Ireland

So why do I love Glasha Farmhouse?

Many reasons!

The first reason is the house itself.

I love all the different rooms and spent my lone night in about every room.

The sitting room is lovely with it’s big comfortable chairs and sofas and the fire place.

The conservatory is a delight with its views to the beautiful rural landscape.

I sat here after dinner as it rained.

It was really cool to sit and watch the rain fall on the glass above you.

The dining room, where you have breakfast and dinner if you choose this option (I highly recommend), is a gorgeous, traditional room.

Glasha Farmhouse is a beauty!

The second reason is an offshoot of the first which is that the guest rooms are just as wonderful as the common areas of the house.

I had a fabulous room on the first floor — traditionally decorated, large with a warm, comfortable bed and a big bathroom.

It was perfect for the chilly, rainy early spring weather I had.

Thirdly is the food.

Dinner is outstanding.

3 courses — a starter, main and dessert — for a set price.

While it costs more than a good pub meal, it’s worth it.

Most of the food is locally sourced and so incredibly fresh and tasty!

Breakfast is just as good with lots of choices — fruit, cereals, yogurt, breads, scones, juices, tea, coffee and hot breakfast if you want it.

So much delicious food at Glasha House.

Lastly, I think Olive, the owner, is what makes this farmhouse one of the best accommodation in Ireland.

She is a lovely woman — warm and welcoming.

And she does it all.

 

Now here is a short list of honorable mentions for best accommodation in Ireland that my travel clients recommend (and I do too!)

Rockcrest B&B

Location: Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland

Why: Great location, great hosts, good breakfast

 

Pier House

Location: Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland

Why: Location, fabulous host (I’ve met Ann and she is wonderful), nice rooms — some that have little balconies

 

Pax House

Location: Dingle Town, County Kerry, Ireland

Why: Attention to detail, incredible staff, amazing breakfast, a splurge

 

Booking.com

 

Tower View B&B

Location: Dingle Town, County Kerry, Ireland

Why: Good location, warm and welcoming hosts, very quintessential B&B

 

Sheedy’s Boutique B&B

Location: Doolin, County Clare, Ireland

Why: Great location, wonderful and helpful host, offered beverages at any time, A+ operation

 

Daly’s House

Location: Doolin, County Clare, Ireland

Why: Fabulous host with attention to detail (such as a welcoming drink), delicious breakfast

 

Dolphin Beach House 

Location: Sky Road about 5.5km from Clifden, County Galway, Ireland

Why: Gorgeous location, beautiful rooms with views to the sea, marvelous host who made coffee early for an early riser in the group

 

Please note that Wander Your Way does not recommend travel at this time due to the current global health situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, many destinations and attractions found on this website will not be operating although some places are slowly opening up. Please stay up to date using official sources like the WHO and CDC. I do plan to continue to write about incredible destinations and to offer tips on travel to Europe, so that you will find some solace in these posts — so you dream about travel and learn about travel. This way when we can all travel again, you’ll be ready to go! For now, stay home and stay safe!

 

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