Hotels in Ireland -

Figuring out hotels in Ireland was a large part of planning my recent Ireland road trip and I wanted to share where I stayed and my thoughts on each!

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Moxy Dublin City

Stylish and social, the Moxy Dublin City is a boutique hotel located in Dublin’s City Center. The hotel’s lively Moxy Bar also serves as the front desk, so check in and grab your complimentary welcome cocktail before heading to your room. The rooms are on the small side but are well-designed to maximize the space and come in a variety of configurations. I feel like this property is best suited to couples or friends traveling together due to the room size since we felt maxed out on space with two people. The Moxy is an easy walk to the sites you want to see in Dublin and parking is available off-site nearby (validate your ticket at reception for a discount).

Dublin, Ireland

Rates from $109
Vibes: Stylish and Social
Gym: No
Pool: No
Free WiFi: Yes

Pro Tip: This is a great use of a Marriott Free Night Credit! As a Bonvoy member, I was given the choice between 500 points or a €17 food and beverage credit as my welcome gift.

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Should you do the Storehouse Dublin Guinness or the Jameson Bow St. Distillery Tour while you’re in Dublin?

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Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

Located on a small private island accessible by car ferry, Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort is the epitome of classy castle vibes! If you’re looking to do things like the Waterford Crystal Factory Tour, you may want to consider staying at a hotel in Waterford proper as you need to add 15-30 minutes extra time to get from Waterford Castle Hotel to Waterford proper due to the car ferry. However, you get to sleep in a castle, so it’s worth it!

From the moment you drive up to the castle entrance, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The high-ceilinged lobby with its roaring fire immediately transports you into another time and place. Decorated with antique-style furniture the rooms are cozy while retaining the modern necessities you need while traveling. We enjoyed drinks at the Fitzgerald Room Bar (complete with Waterford Crystal chandelier) before having a lovely pre-fixe dinner in the Munster Room Restaurant. Because we were only there for one night and because it was raining cats and dogs, we didn’t get to explore the island, but there is a nature walk, golf course, clay pigeon shooting, and several other outdoor activities to enjoy.

Waterford, Ireland

Rates from $240
Vibes: Classy castle
Gym: No
Pool: No
Free WiFi: Yes

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Do you need an Ireland visa?

The Killarney Park

While the Killarney Park isn’t a castle hotel, it holds a special place in my heart and might be one of my favorite hotels in Ireland! Located in the heart of Killarney, it’s in a great, walkable location and its elegant decor is warm and inviting. There’s a spa, pool, and fitness center as well as a handful of restaurants and bars to enjoy if you can tear yourself away from the cozy fireplace in your room! However, it’s the staff that truly made this a top-notch experience! The concierge, PC, made several excellent suggestions regarding our plans for the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula and he came in clutch when our rental car had a tire issue. He made a few calls and what would have likely taken us half a day to get sorted on our own, was resolved in less than an hour. 100/10 recommend!

Killarney, Ireland

Rates from $215
Vibes: Elegant and stylish
Gym: Yes
Pool: Yes
Free WiFi: Yes

Pro Tip: This is a great opportunity to use your American Express $200 Fine Hotels and Resorts credit! My room was $237 for one night, so $37 the out of pocket after the credit and that included a wonderful breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a $150 spa credit—and a room upgrade and complimentary bottle of wine!

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Dromoland Castle Hotel

Another day, another castle hotel! I’m kidding, but now that I’ve slept in castles, I’ve turned into a castle hotel snob and a regular old hold won’t do! Dromoland Castle Hotel is a bit off the beaten track, located about two hours North of Killarney and one hour South of Galway in Newmarket on Fergus and it’s definitely a destination castle as there’s not a ton to do in the immediate area. That’s okay though, because the castle has plenty to keep you busy! From fine dining (including high tea) to falconry and clay pigeon shooting to stand-up paddling, the castle offers a little something for everyone. Or you can just cozy up by the fire in The Galley with a cocktail in hand before enjoying dinner prepared with Irish ingredients from local suppliers.

Clare, Ireland

Rates from $409
Vibes: Elegant castle
Gym: Yes
Pool: Yes
Free WiFi: Yes

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Harbour Hotel

Of all the hotels on this list, the Harbour Hotel is the most basic. But basic isn’t bad! It’s clean, safe, and in a very convenient walkable location, it just doesn’t have the high-end feel of the other properties listed here. Had I stayed here first, I would have been more impressed, but this was the last hotel I stayed at and castle hotels are a tough act to follow! Located right by the harbor in Galway, the Harbour Hotel has a convenient nearby parking lot and is a quick walk to not only the main tourist area but also the more local West End. If you’re looking for a fancier stay in Galway, I had high tea at the Hardiman Hotel and it’s got more upscale vibes.