Enjoy Ireland’s Top Inns and Hotels
With its green hills and rugged coastline, Ireland offers travelers truly wondrous scenery. It is not surprising that so many poets and writers wax enthusiastic about this mysterious island. From Dublin to Blarney Castle, you’ll find plenty of interesting adventures in Ireland.
A journey to Ireland would not be complete without a stay in Dublin. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as the easiest way to see the sites of the city are on foot. The Guinness Brewery is a popular attraction, as is the National Gallery, where you’ll find works ranging from Manet to Picasso. From there head in any direction and you are sure to find something of interest, from Blarney Castle and the lakes of Killarney in the southwest to the unique landscape of Connemara in the western portion of Ireland. Don’t forget to set aside a few days to explore Northern Ireland and Belfast.
On her popular website, travel writer Karen Brown offers several comprehensive itineraries for visitors to Ireland. Her readers also have voted and chosen the following inns and hotels as Ireland’s top lodging experiences.
Located in Ireland’s picturesque region of Connemara, the Quay House has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Most Romantic” inn. The view alone invites romance. Most of the guest rooms and studios face the town harbor of Clifdon. The inn is the oldest building in town and originally served as the harbor master’s house. It now houses seven guest rooms and seven studios, each with a unique theme. The dcor ranges from posh Irish country to the eclectic Out of Africa safari room.
The enthusiastic innkeepers at Ballyvolane House encourage their guests to relax and enjoy themselves. Their passion for innkeeping has earned Ballyvolane the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Ireland’s “Warmest Welcome.” This idyllic Irish country home is surrounded by spectacular gardens, and also offers seven kilometers of private salmon fishing along the River Blackwater. The tastefully furnished guest rooms include special items such as clawfoot tubs perfect for a long, restful soak. Spend an hour with a good book in the drawing room or ask the innkeepers to prepare a picnic lunch and you can find a sunny spot on the inn’s grounds. Four-course dinners are served each night in the beautiful dining room, featuring an ever-changing seasonal menu.
Surrounded by acres of parkland, which includes a ruined Norman Church, a stay at Ballaghtobin is a bit like staying at a friend’s posh country estate. The ivy-covered inn offers three charming guest rooms, each with a private bathroom. The Sun Room is a delightful place to relax and enjoy the scenery. Ballaghtobin, which is located in County Kilkenny, was named by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s “Greatest Value.”
If you plan a trip to Dublin, The Merrion is ideal if you want to treat yourself to one of Ireland’s poshest hotels. Named by Karen Brown readers as Ireland’s top “Splendid Splurge,” the hotel consists of a main section and a garden wing, both with elegant rooms and suites. There is a full-service spa and fitness center, which includes an infinity pool. There are also two restaurants (one is the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Ireland) and a relaxing pub. Christmas at The Merrion, and just about everywhere else in Ireland, is a special time and the hotel is decorated to the hilt for the season.
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