Best Grand Hotels Hotels in Ireland

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.

From imposing country manor to a city boutique hotel… The Savoy sits close to the River  Shannon in the heart of Limerick’s action. It has 107 contemporary bedrooms, with accents of deep blue and golden hues. Despite being so central, the rooms are very quiet, which, combined with Egyptian cotton bedding, ensures a great night’s sleep. There’s a spa with a pool in the basement, two restaurants, a cocktail bar and a library bar serving lighter bites to the sound of live piano music. The Savoy is named after the restaurant and cinema, which occupied the same location until the 1980s.

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.

The Merrion Hotel is an award-winning five-star hotel located in a restored Georgian building with beautiful gardens in the centre of Dublin. The fantastic Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud has won 2 Michelin stars for its fine French influenced gourmet cuisine. Irish cuisine can be had at the Cellar Restaurant, while the No. 23 bar serves up stylish cocktails. The rooms are spacious and all have either garden or city views, modern facilities, and Italian marble bathrooms with luxury toiletries. The hotel provides guests with a state of the art gym, a beauty spa, and a steam room made from Italian marble.

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.

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.

The Conrad Dublin is located near the shopping area of Grafton Street, opposite the National Concert Hall. This five-star luxury hotel offers guests air-conditioned rooms that are bright, airy, and spacious, and finished with wooden floors, Irish art, and oak paneling. The hotel restaurant is the Coburg and serves fantastic seafood such as mussels, crab cocktails, and bouillabaisse. Cocktails are also available at Lemuel’s lounge bar, and Alfie Byrne’s bar offers craft beers on its stylish outdoor terrace. There is a range of facilities for guests such as a business centre, a gym and fitness centre, and 24-hour room service.

Found in the city’s leafy Ballsbridge district close to the sea (Sandymount Beach is less than 20 minutes walk away), this hotel is described as a five-star urban resort. It was previously known as the Four Seasons and exudes an old school glamour, with fashionable decor. There are three restaurants, a cafe, a deli and a bar, with 208 rooms plus a pool, sauna, jacuzzi and a spa offering ESPA treatments. Soundproofed rooms with blackout curtains and Egyptian cotton hypo-allergenic bedding, all contribute to a sublime night’s sleep. While family-friendly (connecting rooms can be booked), this IHG property offers romantic packages and is well-suited to a couples’ getaway.

The College Green Hotel Dublin is a five-star hotel in the heart of Dublin, overlooking Trinity College and College Green. Housed within three historic financial buildings the hotel combines historic grandeur with modern comforts.

Comprising 191 stylish rooms and suites, including the exclusive Library Suite and The College Suite, guests can expect luxury bedding, Italian marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and complimentary high-speed internet, along with plush bathrobes, slippers, and zone climate control.

Dining options include contemporary Irish cuisine at Morelands Grill, Afternoon Tea in The Atrium Lounge and innovative cocktails at The Mint Bar. The historic Banking Hall serves as a distinguished venue for weddings and events, while a 24-hour fitness centre caters to health-conscious guests.

With a prime location places visitors are within walking distance of Grafton Street’s shops, the cultural hub of Temple Bar, and many of Dublin’s iconic landmarks. The College Green Hotel Dublin offers an elegant stay in one of the city’s most vibrant areas.

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.

The Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel in Stillorgan is a prestigious 5-star establishment set on a historic estate dating back to 1750, conveniently located near University College Dublin. Known for its luxurious accommodations and award-winning cuisine, this hotel is one of the finest in County Dublin. Strategically positioned between Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire, the hotel is 18km from Dublin airport and surrounded by 1.5 hectares of formal gardens and mature woodlands. Featuring 151 rooms and suites, all furnished to the highest standards with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, duck-down duvets and walk in shower and separate bathtubs. Additional amenities include a well-equipped fitness suite, the Orangerie Bar with an extensive gin menu, the Ballroom Lounge, and Talavera restaurant serving award-winning Italian cuisine. Complimentary car parking makes the Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel an ideal choice for travellers seeking luxury and convenience slightly away from Dublin city centre.