Best luxury and boutique hotels, B&Bs in Ireland

There is a sense of fun at this modern hotel in tiered gardens, with plushly furnished public spaces, brightly decorated bedrooms, an all-day menu of modern Irish dishes, a rooftop bar reached by a glass bridge, spa treatments and cinema screenings.

The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, Ballingarry

Every painting, sculpture and piece of furniture feels cherished and chosen at John Edward Joyce’s Victorian country mansion in landscaped gardens.

The Old Rectory, Belfast

Guests feel very at home at this guest house in a leafy conservation area, with smart, characterful bedrooms, cosy drawing room, home-baked breads and bagels at breakfast, and a light supper available on request.

Hunter’s, Rathnew

Liza Minnelli, Peter Ustinov, Daniel Day-Lewis and Karl Gustav 16th of Sweden are among past guests who have fallen for the time-warp charms of Ireland’s oldest coaching inn.

Ghan House, Carlingford

Beneath Slieve Foy Mountain, stepping distance from the sea and within walled gardens, the Carroll family’s Georgian house affords views at every turn.

Temple House, Ballymote

A private drive loops through native woodland and pastures to this classical mansion overlooking a ruined Knights Templar castle and teeming fishing lake in W B Yeats country.

Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough

Gorgeous interiors and a friendly, informal ambience are a winning combination at Susan Stuart’s beautiful B&B, where every bedroom has a sea view, and breakfast is quite special.

Killiane Castle Country House and Farm, Drinagh

Guests are welcomed with tea or coffee and home-baked biscuits at the Mernagh family’s farmhouse B&B beside a 15th-century fortified tower house.

Lough Bawn House,

Verity Butterfield clearly loves to welcome guests to her loch-side Georgian house, with blazing fires, comfy sofas, good artworks, home-baked biscuits, excellent breakfasts, and dinner by arrangement.

Inis Meain Restaurant and Suites, Aran Islands

There are panoramic views of the island and Galway Bay from the very spacious, stripped-down-chic suites at this remote, sustainably run island retreat with Michelin-green-starred restaurant.

Ard na Sidhe Country House Hotel, Killorglin

In 32 wooded, landscaped acres on the shores of Lough Caragh, this gabled Edwardian manor house combines comfort and elegance, with an antique-filled lounge and candlelit restaurant.

Schoolhouse Hotel, Dublin

More Hogwarts than Dotheboys Hall, this turreted Victorian schoolhouse is now a quirky hotel with classic and contemporary bedroom styling, a garden for playtime, an appealing blackboard menu of gastropub dishes, and willing, smiling staff.

The Wilder Townhouse, Dublin

A former home for retired governesses, this boutique hotel has beautiful, quirkily styled rooms, from ‘shoebox’ to suites, with books by Irish writers, light bites in the Gin and Tea Rooms, a great breakfast in the Garden Room.

Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna

Ireland’s only Michelin-starred pub is set within the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark, and offers uncluttered bedrooms with traditional charm, and exciting menus of seasonal produce based on sustainable gastronomy.

Pax House, Dingle

‘A haven of peace’, John O’Farrell’s ‘terrific’ contemporary B&B sits on a hilltop with 180-degree views over the harbour and Dingle Peninsula.

The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, Ballyclare

Launched in summer 2021 after a multimillion-pound-makeover, this youthful hotel has a Balearics vibe, with outdoor spa, lakeside heated-sand beach, beach bar and sunken lounge.

The Harrison, Belfast

In a splendid Victorian mansion on a leafy street close to Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens, and Lyric Theatre, Melanie Harrison has created a highly individual, adult boutique hotel.

Rosleague Manor, Letterfrack

There are wonderful views from this pink-washed manor house in gardens edged by Ballinakill Bay, with interiors full of antiques and curios, imaginative menus and personable third-generation owners.

Newforge House, Magheralin

There is a happy sense of continuity at this classic Georgian country house, where sixth-generation owners Louise and John Mathers have been welcoming guests since 2005.

Coopershill, Riverstown

Simon and Christina O’Hara welcome guests to their Georgian ancestral home on a wooded estate with deer park, where guests sit down to a three-course dinner and awake to an Aga-cooked breakfast.

Rathmullan House, Rathmullan

Pass the little gate lodge to drive up to this bay-fronted country house in wooded grounds edged by a beach on Lough Swilly.

Frewin, Ramelton

Congenial hosts welcome you to this B&B in a Victorian rectory abounding in original features, tradition and charm, where breakfast is taken communally in a dining room overlooking wooded grounds.

Currarevagh House, Oughterard

‘A winding drive through woodland takes you back in time’ to Henry and Lucy Hodgson’s Victorian country house on a 180-acre estate on the shores of Lough Corrib.

Newport House, Newport

You feel more like a valued guest than a customer at this Georgian country house hotel and fishing destination with antique-filled interiors, where the locally sourced cooking is a big attraction.

Roundwood House, Mountrath

Hannah and Paddy Flynn are warm hosts at their Palladian villa in native woodland, filled with heirloom antiques and auction finds, where singing chef Paddy cooks with brio, breakfast brings eggs from the ducks and hens, and a good time is had by all.

Ballyvolane House, Fermoy

With breakfast served until noon, afternoon tea by the drawing room fire, shooting, fishing and communal dining, a house-party atmosphere prevails at this Georgian country house.

Enniscoe House, Ballina

Solitary Nephin, Ireland’s highest stand-alone mountain, provides a dramatic backdrop to this classic, pink-washed Georgian country house in wooded grounds on Lough Conn.

Ravenhill House, Belfast

Tea and treats await at this Victorian redbrick B&B with smart contemporary bedrooms, where the hosts serve breakfast with home-baked sourdough in a book-lined room with wood-burning stove.

Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan

It may not be a castle but this rambling 18th-century manor house, wrapped in gardens and with views over the otherworldly karst landscape of the Burren, has its own romantic charm.

Stella Maris, Ballycastle

The sea is a powerful presence at this former coastguard’s HQ overlooking Bunatrahir Bay, with fascinating architectural features, of cosy public rooms, blazing fires, an ocean-view sunlounge, antique furniture and contemporary Irish cuisine.

Lorum Old Rectory, Bagenalstown

Overlooking the River Barrow, this Victorian rectory B&B is a cherished home, with the style of a small country house, and welcoming hostesses who will cook dinner by arrangement.

Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry

Set on a 300-acre working farm, this legendary Irish country-house hotel has grown from being a restaurant with rooms that is passionate about locally sourced food into a thriving business, with cookery school, café and arts venue.

Sheedy’s, Lisdoonvarna

The perfect base for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and the Burren's dramatic karst landscape, the Sheedy family’s farmhouse has been welcoming guests since the 1930s.

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How to decide where to stay in Ireland

Beautiful hotels, historic hotels, hotels for salmon and trout fishing, hotels for golf, and hotels for walking are all easily at hand.

But above all it is the charm of the natives that is reflected in some of the Good Hotel Guide's favourite hotels where the warmth of the welcome remains truly Irish. In many of the smaller places, you will be received as a friend and given an unforgettable insight into the gentle Irish way of life.

Our directory presents some of the Guide's selected Hotels in Ireland. Here are some of the popular cities and areas in Ireland:

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