Best Secluded Hotels in Ireland

Owned and managed by the McEvilly family, Cashel House has an AA Inspector’s Choice Award, along with two AA Rosettes and four stars. Its 50 acres (including award-winning gardens) border Cashel Bay on the one side and the Cashel Hills on the other. Built in the mid 19th century, the house became a hotel in the mid 20th century, offering 32 types of accommodation for guests. The decor pays homage to its Victorian roots with vintage furnishings and antique pieces throughout, while the restaurant is housed in a large Victorian conservatory. Walking trails run from the house down to the beach, winding through the estate’s charming woodland.

One of the most impressive castles in Ireland, Dromoland is the ancestral home of the O’Brien family. The turreted building dates back to the 16th century, with the Queen Anne Court and Moriarty Wings added in the 18th century. But it became a hotel in the 1960s and more recently, the 97 bedrooms underwent a multi-million Euro renovation. Formal dining takes place beneath glittering chandeliers with white-gloved silver service in the Earl of Thomond restaurant and more casual meals are served beside the fire in The Gallery. The estate also contains a Golf Academy and state of the art course, lake and spa with a pool.

This waterside property is flanked by epic scenery. Rising from the banks of Lough Eske and surrounded by mature gardens, the castle also looks toward the rugged backdrop as Donegal stretches inland. Decorated in a baronial style that reflects its past, the hotel sports majestic staircases, open fires, wood-panelled walls, chess sets and oil paintings. This is contrasted by a bright, airy and modern spa – floor to ceiling picture windows in the pool and hydro suite proffer a pretty garden outlook. While the 96 rooms are a mix of the old and the new. Outdoor activities are plentiful and include surfing, fishing, golf and horse riding.

Hidden beside mountains and lakes in the famed area of Killarney this sleek property boasts views over the town, lough and national parkland. As such, it’s well placed for a variety of sightseeing trips. But with a golf course, tennis court, spa, pool and fitness centre on-site, there’s much to do within the hotel’s perimeter. Guests can also drink in the landscapes while dining in its Lake Room or sipping cocktails on the outdoor terrace. 74 rooms have been recently renovated with extras such as Bose sound systems, fluffy robes, balconies and – in two of the suites – kitchenettes.

Fully titled The Kildare Hotel and Golf Club (abbreviated to just The K Club), this is Ireland’s First AA 5 Red Star Hotel. Housed in a sprawling 1832 French-château-style mansion it has also been awarded the RAC Gold Ribbon. The K Club’s two championship courses ensure it’s sought out by golfers (it also played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup and 2016 Irish Open). But the expansive grounds also offer the opportunity for pursuits including fly-fishing, putting, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, walking and cycling. The spa and hydro suite open up to a restorative Zen Garden outdoor space. And there’s a fine French restaurant.

A palladium-style mansion in the lush green valleys of County Wicklow is home to Powerscourt Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection. The large estate not only offers guest accommodation but is in itself a tourist attraction. Look out onto Sugar Loaf Mountain as you drink and dine at the elegant glass-walled Sika Restaurant. Or listen to live music and enjoy a traditional pub experience at the venue’s pub, McGill’s. Epitomising luxury, the hotel has a 20m Swarovski crystal-lit indoor pool and some suites come with their own rooftop terrace and jacuzzi. This is an excellent choice for your east coast staycation.

This Georgian manor house accommodates 22 bedrooms and overlooks the river. Built by the first Earl of Carrick and named after his wife, Lady Julianna Butler, Mount Juliet has gathered two and a half centuries of history since. Its Lady Helen restaurant is Michelin-starred; dishes by Head Chef John Kelly are crafted using locally sourced ingredients and enjoyed with a backdrop of rolling pastoral views. There’s a cinema featuring a velvet, marble and brass interior, a 15-metre swimming pool, tennis courts and equestrian facilities. Golf is also a major draw of the estate, with an academy and a Jack Nicklaus signature-designed course set across 180 acres of majestic parkland.

Found just off the N25, commutable to the city centre, this 17th-century country house is, enviably, adjacent to the ruins of an eight-century-old castle. A lake, streams, walled garden impeccably manicured frontage and water fountain greet guests arriving on the property. Step inside and you’ll discover a cosy antique vibe, with rooms both in the main house and a modernised wing. Dine in one of four eateries, enjoy ESPA and Germaine de Capuccini treatments and swim in a 66-ft pool. And while it may be fancy, Castlemartyr is also family-friendly with some interconnecting rooms, a playroom, babysitting services and menus for younger palates.

A 20-minute drive from the airport and a short hop to the centre, Fota Island is a self-contained mini village. The sprawling resort encompasses an 18-hole championship golf course (that’s hosted four Irish Opens), a tennis court, four-bedroom two-storey guest villas, 40 bedrooms, and a large spa with a thermal suite, hydrotherapy pool and 18 treatment rooms. Its 500 acres also hold a terrace, playgrounds and ponds, ideal for families wanting to roam outdoors (plus there’s a holiday kids’ club). Both formal and more casual dining is available, with afternoon teas and breakfasts served in the signature restaurant.