The Best Hotels for Every Traveller to Book in Sligo, Ireland

Keen ramblers will love the location of this contemporary castle-like mansion, set deep in the scenic Sligo countryside. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the rugged landscape and dramatic sweeping mountain ranges typical of the county. Fuel your walking adventures with a full Irish breakfast or homemade pancakes and return to your room to flop on a big comfy bed. Splash out a little more and you’ll be treated to a cosy fireplace and spa tub – perfect for courting couples.

Activity junkies will find plenty to feed their appetites at this hotel and leisure club located on the outskirts of Sligo town. There’s loads to do onsite from swimming and tennis to sedate bubble tubs, saunas and spa treatments. Kid-friendly activities, such as fairy trails, treasure hunts, movie nights, board games and DVD stashes for rainy days, keep little ones happy, too. Set in parkland surrounded by scenic countryside, you also have a wealth of cycling, hiking and horse-riding options on your doorstep.

Countryphiles looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of County Sligo need look no further than this impressive rural hotel – a handsome manor house that’s been home to the O’Hara family since 1774. It’s set in a 500-acre estate that holds a farm and diverse woodland, where you can see sheep, cattle and deer roaming free. Much of the produce cooked in the hotel’s kitchen is grown (or reared) on site, while tap water in the rooms comes from their own spring.

Those who love a healthy start to the day should consider a stay at the Clayton Hotel. Its signature healthy breakfast offers a range of delicious options, from home-toasted muesli and porridge with luxury granola to fruit smoothies and gourmet breads. A leisure centre means lots of exercise choices, too, including a 20-metre pool. After all that virtuousness, treat yourself to something from its old-fashioned sweet shop.

Keen golfers heading to Sligo will want to put the Castle Dargan Hotel at the top of their list, thanks to the wonderfully rolling fairways of its 18-hole golf course. Set within 170 acres of parkland, this 18th-century castle-style resort is one of the most picturesque places in Ireland to swing a nine iron. And there’s more besides, with an elegant restaurant offering bottomless brunch and a luxe spa that overlooks the undulating fairways.

History buffs will find a lot to get excited about at Temple House – a beautiful Georgian manor house set in a private estate of over 1,000 acres (404ha). As well as boasting wonderfully-diverse forest and flora, the grounds include the ruins of a 13th-century lakeside castle built by the Knights Templar. The house has been home to the Perceval family for 350 years, a name that can be traced back to the knight of Arthurian legend.

Set on 22 acres (9ha) of rugged land in so-called Yeats Country, with views out to the poet’s beloved Benbulben mountain, this boutique B&B is widely regarded as one of the best in Ireland. If you’re a traveller who loves the personal touch, you’ll find a warm welcome and genuine hospitality in abundance here. Choose your view, from overlooking the garden to the mountain or the sea. Breakfast is a treat, with everything from cooked-to-order eggs and organic porridge to freshly baked breads.

Beach-lovers can hardly stay closer to the sand than at the appropriately-named Ocean Sands Hotel in County Sligo. The superb swathe of golden coast that makes up Enniscrone Beach is just steps away and a honeypot for seasonal surfers. The hotel’s setting affords plenty of superb views over the Atlantic, from its refined bar and bistro and across most of its guest rooms. It’s perfect for families with kids, too, with self-catering apartments, an indoor playroom and the Waterpoint waterpark just minutes away.

Spa connoisseurs will enjoy the facilities at this Radisson Blu Hotel – its Solas Spa and Wellness Centre offering top-flight pampering. There’s everything from a herbal sauna and crystal steam room to a big heated indoor pool and a long list of beauty and massage treatments to choose from. It’s also surrounded by the wild beauty of Rosses Point, with views of Sligo Bay and the neighbouring mountains from many of its smartly-finished rooms.