Guide to Ireland Hotels

Ireland hotels, like those in other parts of the U.K. and Europe, are not what you would expect to find in America.  We don't want to sound like the typical "Ugly Americans" but it's true.  Be sure to carefully read our travel tips below, prior to booking any Ireland hotels.

Travel tips for Ireland hotels

1. Most Ireland hotels are not air conditioned.  We traveled the country for two weeks beginning in mid-September, when temperatures were very cool at night, and we were still bothered by warm, stuffy hotel rooms.  If you are visiting Ireland during the summer months, be sure you understand what you will be experiencing.  If you research your accommodations carefully, you can often find air conditioned hotels in most cities. 

2. If you do find yourself in a hotel without air conditioning, ask for a fan.  Many Ireland hotels have these, and a bellman will bring one to your room.

3. As with any hotel in the U.K. or Europe, do not assume your room will have a private bathroom.  Older properties may well have a common bathroom in the hall.  This is another item to carefully check out.

4. Hotel rates tend to rise and fall, depending upon occupancy rates, and hotels often run unadvertised specials for short periods of time.  Please see our Hotel Tips for strategies on reducing your hotel costs.

5. Almost all Ireland hotels will have coffee and tea making facilities.

6. Some hotels will offer room and meal combinations, and these can be big cost savers.  For example, we booked a room for two nights at the Hilton Hotel in Limerick that included dinner for two on the first night, and breakfast for two for both days.  The additional cost was approximately 40 Euros per day, or about 14 Euros per person per meal. 

Reviews of Ireland hotels
We have spent at least one night at each of the following properties:

1. Shannon Shamrock Hotel - Bunratty.  An older property, but clean, and next door to the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.  Many of the rooms have been remodeled -- ask for one.  Not air conditioned.

2. Station House Hotel - Clifden  Clean, fairly modern, and convenient to shops and stores.  The sinks and shower have brown water.  When we inquired at the front desk about this, we were told this is "bog water" and is the water found throughout the city's public water system.  When we pushed the matter further, the front desk clerk said, "It's what all of us drink.  You don't see anything wrong with me, do you?"  We held our tongue.  Not air conditioned.

3. Great Northern Hotel - Bundoran  Imagine a grand old hotel, situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by an 18 hole golf course.  Wow.  And, the food in the restaurant is excellent.  There is a paved, lighted path that runs along the cliff's edge along the side and rear of the hotel, and it is good for walking or jogging as you listen to the surf pound against the shoreline.  Not air conditioned.

4. Hilton Templepatrick Hotel - Belfast  A short drive outside of Belfast, this property is a golf course/resort with nice, modern rooms.  The restaurant is good, and the buffet breakfast is sumptuous.  Not air conditioned.

5. Clarion Hotel - Cork  A fairly new, quiet, modern hotel just off of the main downtown area.  Easy walk to the pedestrian mall which is filled with block after block of shops and stores.  Air conditioned.

6. Holiday Inn Hotel - Killarney  Not much different from an older Holiday Inn in the U.S., and not very remarkable.  Not air conditioned.

7. Hilton Hotel - Limerick  New in 2007, this is a very nice hotel situated just across the river from the city center.  Elevator access is by key card only, a nice touch for security.  Air conditioned.

8. Clarion Suites Hotel - Limerick  This property has one and two bedroom apartments.  Modern, clean, very impressive.  Not air conditioned.

9. Pembroke Hotel - Kilkenny  Located downtown, a short walk from the castle, this new hotel has very nice rooms, with in-room safes.  Air conditioned.

	Ireland Travel Guides & Travel Tips
	Irish Restaurants
	Ireland Hotels
	Shannon, Limerick & Bunratty
	Western Ireland   - Galway, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Westport, Knock
	Northwestern Ireland   - Bundoran & Donegal
	Northern Ireland   - Belfast, Derry, Giant's Causeway
	Eastern Ireland   - Dublin, Knowth, Ballyknocken House
	Southeasten Ireland   - Kilkenny, Waterford
	Southern Ireland   - Kerry & Cork Counties