The Most Luxurious Hotels to Book in Ireland

A Michelin-starred restaurant and championship golf course await at Adare Manor in County Limerick | Courtesy of Adare Manor / Expedia

Kate Phelan

10 November 2021

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Far from being all rustic charm and cosy countryside cottages, Ireland is home to a burgeoning luxury travel scene that includes some seriously high-end hotels. If you’re looking for a luxe city break, you can’t go wrong with a five-star retreat in Dublin. Or for something more regal, there’s a castle in County Limerick with a room for you. Can’t decide? Here are the best luxury hotels in Ireland – all bookable on Culture Trip.

The Shelbourne, for Renaissance bliss in Dublin

A luxurious, pub-style bar at The Shelbourne Dublin with a chandelier dangling from the ceiling

Courtesy of The Shelbourne / Expedia

This five-star property, one of the oldest hotels in Dublin, is beautifully appointed with 265 rooms and suites. Many look out over St Stephen’s Green, where you can enjoy a horse-and-carriage ride. Antique features run throughout – think chandeliers and marble fireplaces – but the hotel has all the conveniences a 21st-century traveller needs. Not least, six food-and-beverage options, including the award-winning Saddle Room restaurant, and a day spa for pre-dinner pampering.

The Europe Hotel & Resort, for an escape by the Lakes of Killarney

A communal seating space at The Europe Hotel & Resort with large windows offering views of the Lakes of Killarney

Courtesy of The Europe Hotel & Resort / Expedia

The Europe Hotel & Resort is as sublime as it gets, with a spot by the Lakes of Killarney. The views of the distant mountains and glittery waters evoke a sense of relaxation, especially when enjoyed from the immaculate gardens on a sunny day. The hotel has won many notable awards over the years, thanks in no small part to six decades of attentive hospitality.

Cliff House Hotel, for a quintessentially Irish holiday in Ardmore

The sun sets on The Cliff House Hotel which sits right by the water's edge

Courtesy of Cliff House Hotel, Ireland / Booking.com

Cliff House is a privately owned hotel in the quaint fishing village of Ardmore, with perfect sea views from every room. The House Restaurant has a Michelin star, serving an eight-course menu with a focus on seafood. There’s also a luxury spa, with outside baths for the summer and an indoor pool with views over the waters. If you want something a little more active, book an adventure or two – coasteering or rock climbing should do the trick.

Mount Juliet Estate, for country luxe in County Kilkenny

The ivy-covered front of the Mount Juliet Estate

Courtesy of Mount Juliet Estate / Expedia

Built on 200ha (500 acres) in County Kilkenny, Mount Juliet Estate is the place to go for a countryside getaway. This five-star property sits in a magnificent Georgian manor house with breathtaking gardens to match. There’s a Michelin-starred restaurant here, too, serving dishes using the highest-quality ingredients from the estate and neighbouring farms, plus a more relaxed dining experience at The Hound restaurant.

Adare Manor, for a fairytale castle in County Limerick

Luxury

A grand seating space at Adare Manor, with vaulted ceilings and imposing columns

Courtesy of Adare Manor Villas / Expedia

You’d be forgiven for thinking this grand hotel is actually a fairytale castle. It’s been decorated in a regal 19th-century style with sparkly chandeliers, oak beds and huge windows. There are activities to match; try your hand at falconry, whiskey tasting or clay-pigeon shooting. There’s also a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, best enjoyed before dinner in the Michelin-starred Oak Room restaurant.

The Marker Hotel, for R&R in the capital

A futuristic bar at The Marker Hotel with purple chairs and geometric patterns

Courtesy of The Marker Hotel / Expedia

Talk about kerb appeal. The Marker Hotel, in the modern docklands area of Dublin, has a striking chequerboard façade constructed from glass and dazzling white panels. Inside, the slick urban design continues to please, with a gaping lobby designed to greet you with a bang. The bright, white rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of space to play with and welcome pops of colour. For wining and dining, there’s an atmospheric bar off the main lobby, a buzzing rooftop bar and a seductive brasserie.

Lough Eske Castle, for a holiday fit for royalty in Donegal

Dusk hits Lough Eske Castle in Donegal, with lights illuminating the front of the property

Courtesy of Lough Eske Castle / Expedia

Feel like a king or queen with a stay at this award-winning castle set amid a wash of greenery in Donegal. It has 97 plush rooms and suites in the main building and stables. One of the unique accommodation options is the Lakeside Lodge, situated at the castle gates by the shores of Lough Eske. This self-catering property includes a freestanding copper bath and a wood-burning fire. Don’t miss the chance to dine at the two AA Rosette Cedars Restaurant with crab crumpets, braised pork cheek and cauliflower risotto among the luxurious offerings.

The Westbury Hotel, for glamour in Dublin

A table laid for breakfast on a small balcony at The Westbury Hotel

Courtesy of The Westbury Hotel / Expedia

Everywhere you turn, the five-star Westbury Hotel is an Instagrammer’s dream when it comes to stylish interior design. The property, in the heart of Dublin, exudes art deco, Hollywood glamour with a modern twist. Some of the most elegant spots include The Sidecar bar, with a marble countertop and photogenic display of liquors, as well as the Wilde restaurant where faux roses climb the interior walls. When it comes to sleeping arrangements, the ultimate option is the presidential suite, which has a chic bar, dining area, lounge, and a marble bathroom with a steam room and sauna.

Ashford Castle, for a movie-worthy spot in County Galway

An indoor dipping pool at the spa in Ashford Castle

Courtesy of Ashford Castle / Expedia

Probably most famous for featuring in John Wayne’s Oscar-winning film The Quiet Man (1952) – and housing the cast during filming – Ashford Castle sits on a grand, 142ha (350-acre) estate. Book a room and you can enjoy a movie-worthy holiday of your own. All-action adventures include horse-riding, tree climbing and clay-pigeon shooting. Or you can chill at the award-winning spa, which has an A-list collection of treatments and spa journeys.

Powerscourt Hotel, for a window into Wicklow

The grand communal lobby at the Powerscourt Hotel, with a chandelier and plush sofas

Courtesy of Powerscourt Hotel / Expedia

The location of the Powerscourt – across a valley from the Great Sugar Loaf mountain – is tough to beat. This 194-room hotel in the Wicklow countryside offers a spectacular signature restaurant, and two championship golf courses. Guest rooms range from a classic deluxe up to the presidential suite, the latter with a balcony terrace with incredible vistas.

The Merrion, for a Georgian residence in the capital

A double bed in a guestroom at The Merrion Hotel, with a separate seating space with pink, plush sofas

Courtesy of The Merrion Hotel / Expedia

The Merrion sits within four Georgian townhouses in the heart of Dublin. Many period features remain, with antique-style furnishings playing to its history. If you’re looking for an extra-special stay, the Lord Monck and Lord Antrim suites have private dining rooms, living rooms and king beds, plus magnificent views over the Government Buildings and The Merrion’s private landscaped gardens. The hotel is also home to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the first restaurant in Ireland to gain two Michelin stars.

See more luxurious options by booking one of the best resorts in Ireland, or find a place to stay for you and a furry friend with our guide to the best pet-friendly places to stay in Ireland, all bookable with Culture Trip.

Sadie Whitelocks has contributed additional reporting to this article.

These recommendations were updated on November 10, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.

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