The best hotels in Ireland: trivago Awards 2017

Surrounded by 1.5 acres of charming countryside grounds, Killeen House is an intimate, ivy-covered Edwardian hotel in stunning southwest Ireland. Once an early 19th-century rectory situated in private gardens, the hotel has undergone major restoration and now offers guests high-quality, elegant accommodation just a 10-minute drive from beautiful Killarney town.

The country hotel – which operates on a seasonal summer basis – includes 23 classic en-suite bedrooms (eight of which are designed to deluxe standard, known as the ‘Championships Rooms’) and are tastefully and traditionally furnished with an intimate, family-run feel.

Soak up the cosy atmosphere while tucking into the wide range of popular Irish dishes made from locally sourced produce at Head Chef Paul O’Gorman’s Rozzers Restaurant, or sip some drinks al-fresco style in the hotel’s private, beautifully manicured garden.

Killeen House Hotel is also a perfect location for day trips in County Kerry; explore your country surroundings with both Muckross House and Killarney National Park only five miles from the guesthouse, while Torc Waterfall is just 5.7 miles away. Killeen House Hotel is also close to the prestigious Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, as well as being set right at the start of the famous Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula driving routes.

Proudly owned by a Swiss-Irish family since 1989, Harvey’s Point is situated 6km outside Donegal Town on the shores of Lough Eske at the foot of the Blue Stack mountains. The 4-star hotel is a perfect base to explore the wild and unspoiled beauty of the North West of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.

Each room at the hotel features a separate entrance foyer and lobby for complete privacy, huge king-size bed, 42-inch plasma TV and large spacious bathroom with double bath, power shower and double sink unit, 42-inch plasma TV.

The 8 bespoke Lakeshore Suites are located along a picturesque walkway less than a minute from the main hotel reception, boasting stunning views of the rugged yet peaceful Donegal vista. Especially popular with nature lovers, these select suites allow you to become even closer to the surrounding environment and the resident family of swans often found gliding across the calm lake waters.

Food and drink is deeply rooted in the luxury hotel’s 25 year legacy. Chef Colin and his talented kitchen team at Harvey’s Point find inspiration from the finest seasonal ingredients from local and regional artisan producers.

Whether you’re looking to sample the “Cuisine Art” set menu at the theatre-style Lakeside Restaurant, enjoy a whiskey in the open patio area, try a traditional Sunday carvery lunch or indulge in a spot of elegant afternoon tea, the Gysling Family is committed to delivering an unparalleled food experience for each and every guest.

A member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group, Dublin’s Merrion Hotel offers luxury 5-star accommodation in Ireland’s capital city, right in the heart of Dublin 2.

Once four separate Georgian townhouses, The Merrion is centred around a beautifully manicured 18th-century garden, located opposite the main Government Buildings and a few minutes’ walk from the I.F.S.C and Dublin Convention Centre.

The hotel’s lavish 123 guest rooms and 19 suites feature a delicate palette of pastel colours inspired by Paul Henry’s Irish landscape paintings. Each room is furnished with a King Koil Executive Club 6 bed, luxurious 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bed-linen, Italian marble bathrooms and pieces of contemporary Irish art. Rooms in the Main House are thoughtfully designed with delicate rococo plasterwork, vaulted ceilings and original marble fireplaces, while the charming rooms in the contemporary Garden Wing look out over the private landscaped gardens or enjoy classic Dublin city views.

Dining at the Merrion involves the Restaurant Patrick Guilbaudor, Ireland’s only 2 Michelin star rated restaurant, as well as an open air Garden Terrace available for al fresco dining during the warmer summer months. For drinks the Cellar Bar is set within the oak-lined original 18-century wine vaults of the Main House, or for a flute of champagne and sophisticated canape, try No.23, the intimate hotel cocktail bar.

The Tethra Spa is a tranquil and relaxing place of retreat with 18m infinity pool, steam room and award-winning therapists available seven days a week to provide private massage and beauty treatments, using ESPA and Darphin products.

Ariel House is a privately owned 4-star hotel in Dublin’s picturesque Embassy belt of Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Located in a beautiful suburb famous for Victorian architecture and leafy, timeless elegance, the hotel is just a 10 minute drive from the city centre.

The building dates back all the way to 1850 and has retained many of its original period features, such as high ceilings with stunning Waterford Crystal chandeliers, beautiful bay windows, and grand fireplaces. Of the guesthouse’s 37 lovingly decorated ensuite bedrooms, there are a select number of sumptuous Junior Suites featuring large four poster beds and carefully chosen antique furniture.

In Ariel House, the dedicated kitchen team pride themselves on using only the freshest local produce and sourcing truly wonderful ingredients, creating the hotel’s delicious award-winning breakfast menu. Proudly supporting local farmers, Ariel House’s breakfast gives guests a flavour of the fine food grown in Ireland.

Whether you fancy poached eggs with smoked salmon or healthy granola made from scratch, thanks to the hotel’s ethos of honest cooking, they’re confident enough to promise ‘breakfasts so good, you’ll want to stay another night’.

Just north of Carlow on the leafy Green Lane, the award-winning Avlon House has been offering visitors classic 4-star accommodation for well over 20 years. The charming guesthouse has five en-suite bedrooms, each carefully furnished with flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi and complimentary toiletries.

Avlon House also boasts high-quality amenities including two cosy, open-fire lounges, one with a generous DVD library and the other with a wide selection of books and newspapers, plus a patio with barbecue area and private off-street parking. Breakfast is served in Avlon House’s well-appointed dining room at a leisurely pace between between 7-10 each morning. Every morning at Avlon House, a full seasonal breakfast menu is provided, and always includes vegetarian dishes and mix of continental and home-cooked options, all made-to-order.

Avlon House is an ideal base for anyone wishing to explore the gorgeous southeast of Ireland. In the picturesque town of Carlow, visitors can discover ancient artefacts and snippets of local history at Carlow County Museum, explore the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art, and indulge in fresh food at regular farmers’ markets.

The hotel is also an easy walk from Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow Golf Club, and Carlow Castle, while a number of shops, restaurants, and bars are all situated nearby in the town centre.

Overlooking Ballybunion Golf Club, The Tides Guesthouse is a family-run boutique bed and breakfast facility in the seaside resort of Ballybunion, County Kerry. A true golf hub situated on the main drive of the iconic Wild Atlanic Way, the guesthouse offers traditional, luxury accommodation in a beautiful coastal town in southwest Ireland. As well as guaranteed tee times for Ballybunion’s old course, the Tides’ great location allows guests to choose from a selection of outdoor pursuits such as walking, fishing, sightseeing and swimming at the town’s Blue Flag beaches.

In the dining room, guests can enjoy the impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean and Kerry Head, all the way to the River Field and Cashen Estuary and right into the town of Ballybunion. During the summer months, watch horses galloping across golden sandy beaches on pony trails while you sip your morning coffee. Breakfast at the Tides includes a choice of four hot dishes, and while it is typically served from 7.30am, early golfers can request a 6am start at no extra cost.

Then, when it’s time to relax after the day’s adventures, bask in the comforts of the traditional warm peat fire in Tides’ cosy guest sitting room. Ease back into the Massage Chair while enjoying a book on local history, or meet the other guests and golfers from around the world over a glass of wine before retiring to the well-appointed Mini Suites, Double King Rooms, Twin Rooms, and Single Rooms.