Most romantic hotels in Ireland for celebrating your love story

When it comes to atmospheric locations for a romantic getaway, it’s difficult to beat the fairytale Abbey Hotel. Not only is it set in an 18th-century castle, but the hotel is located right next to the atmospheric ruins of the monastic Roscommon Abbey. There are also plenty of other couple-friendly attractions nearby, such as the historic Strokestown Park, a Palladian villa that sits in six acres of landscaped grounds – stroll hand-in-hand through a Victorian rose garden or take a moment to rest in the pretty pergola.

The hotel’s interiors embrace a traditional sense of grandeur. For a Valentine Day’s treat, opt for the luxurious Abbey Suite, with its charming four-poster bed, free-standing Victorian bathtub and sumptuously dark drapes and soft furnishings. In the morning, make a rich cup of coffee, wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and curl up together on the easy chairs with your complimentary morning newspaper.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the award-winning Abbey Health and Fitness club. Admire the hotel’s wooded grounds from the expansive 65ft swimming pool, or sit back in the bubbling Jacuzzi or spacious sauna. Afterwards, keep that blissful feeling going and settle down with a mojito or an Irish whiskey in front of the crackling open fire in the hotel bar.

Kinnitty Castle exudes grace and character, making it a fitting setting for an anniversary break. Begin with a refreshing G&T or rich Guinness in the Dungeon Bar, which is modelled after the Irish pubs of old. Expect arched doorways, rustic iron light fixtures and musicians plucking traditional instruments like the harp.

After you’ve had an atmospheric tipple, explore the grounds together. The castle is nestled within 650 acres of private, lush parkland that sits at the foot of the vast Slieve Bloom Mountains. Scattered with the remains of ancient settlements and regarded among the oldest mountains in Europe, these gently rolling hills are a spectacular spot if you’re planning on a surprise proposal. Alternatively, pop the question over afternoon tea in your own private dining room – it doesn’t get much more romantic than this lavish room, with its open fireplace and French windows overlooking the gardens.

All 37 rooms at Kinnitty Castle are individually decorated in harmony with the castle’s opulent, period feel. Choose a Castle Suite, featuring imposing antique furniture and a carved four-poster bed, to take in the views over the colourful gardens. Begin next day here in the authentic roll-top bath, with your complimentary newspaper in hand. As the water runs, look out over the grounds for the deer – they’re known to graze in the early morning mist.

A secluded rural location meets cutting-edge interiors and innovative cuisine at the Lodge at Ashford Castle. Contemporary rooms here are meticulous in detail: refreshing rainforest showers feature luxurious toiletries from the Handmade Soap Company to add a spring to your step in the morning. Comfort is at the top of the agenda, too: walk across deep pile carpets, rest your head on goose-down pillows and lie back on 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. For your most romantic hotel stay yet, choose a Lake View Suite, where you can spend an evening to remember on your private Juliet balcony with a chilled bottle of vintage South African wine.

Take some time out together from the pace of everyday life by heading to the Beauty Room. As scented candles flicker around you, wrap yourselves up in ultra-soft blankets and relax with a deeply cleansing facial. If you’re feeling more adventurous, explore the bay together on stand-up paddleboards.

When evening falls, settle down for a lingering meal at Wilde’s at the Lodge – voted Hotel Restaurant of the Year in the 2018 Irish Hotel Awards. As you watch the sunlight dance on the peaceful waters of Lough Corrib, indulge in playful dishes like smoky and sweet bell pepper sorbet or mussel soup served with a seafood espresso.

The contemporary Westport Coast Hotel is located on the bustling quay of this charming town, with serene views over the Croagh Patrick mountain and Clew Bay. The picturesque setting continues inside: the Waterfront Restaurant, which you’ll find on the hotel’s top floor, features intricate model ships, a roaring open fire and mountain views. Sample fresh seafood as you take in vistas of the coastal landscape – opt for dishes like the oven-baked fillet of Atlantic salmon or pan-fried monkfish medallions.

To make your break even more romantic, choose a Deluxe or Master Suite. Savour handmade chocolates accompanied by a glass of fruity merlot on your private balcony as you watch the golden lights of the quay. Afterwards, take a blissful soak in your stand-alone bath or pay an evening visit to the candlelit indoor pool – the sleek décor and chic poolside lounge areas create an exclusive atmosphere.

Even more indulgence awaits you both at Spa Veda. Based on the ancient Indian principles of Ayurveda, treatments here are personalised for specific skin and health issues. After a tranquil facial or massage, detoxify in the rock sauna or escape to a tropical world with a refreshing rainforest shower. Take a trip together to the aromatherapy steam room and allow jets of scented mist to calm your senses.

The spectacular setting of the Slieve Russell Hotel makes it an ideal destination for a couple’s getaway. This opulent country mansion sits amid 300 acres of rolling, mature woodland and lakes – you’ll even find an 18-hole championship golf course. With a grand lobby featuring an imposing marble staircase, bronze statues and roaring fireplaces, this is a hotel that impresses from the moment you enter – it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to propose.

Spend quality time together relaxing at the ornately decorated Ciúin Spa (which fittingly translates to ‘quiet’ in Irish). Experience the soothing effects of the hydrotherapy suite, which features a Jacuzzi, herb sauna and a salt grotto. The serene indoor swimming pool has a spacious glass-roofed conservatory, where you can relax side-by-side on twin day beds and admire the woodland views.

At the Sentata restaurant, sleek marble floors, rustic wood panelling and deep scarlet upholstery provide an intimate and traditional atmosphere for a romantic dinner. Sample decadent dishes like roulade of pork served with smoky chorizo or salty seabass with zingy lime butter. Afterwards, retire to your elegant room (think plush neutral furnishings with pops of jewel tones and warm, wooden furniture) where you can unwind with a bubble bath in the fully marble-lined bathroom.

Discover elegant amenities and historic charm at the Riverside Park Hotel. In a romantic Couples Deluxe Suite, you can both sit back and relax in a bubbling Jacuzzi bath, before climbing into your irresistibly soft king-size bed or watching a film on the snuggle sofa. In the morning, wrap yourself up in a fluffy bathrobe and take in the views of the nearby medieval Enniscorthy Castle with a freshly made coffee.

Make the Alamo Steakhouse your next stop: set in a 16th-century woollen mill, the restaurant’s exposed brick walls and intimate wooden booths create a rustic atmosphere. Dine on hearty and satisfying classics like an Irish fillet steak served with sautéd onions and mushrooms, or opt for a sweet chilli oriental duck salad. Toast your romantic getaway with a dark and decadent black Russian cocktail.

After lunch, take a leisurely stroll together into the centre of medieval Wexford. There’s an abundance of history here, from the haunting ruins of the 13th-century Tintern Abbey to the Hook Lighthouse – the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. If you’d prefer to completely wind down, head instead to the hotel’s spa and relax together in the spacious sauna, before cooling down in the indoor pool.

Every detail of Bloomfield House Hotel whispers romance, from the enchanting lakeside gardens to the candlelit atmosphere of the Charles Brinsley Restaurant, which specialises in innovative Irish cuisine. Choose from mouthwatering dishes like prime Irish sirloin steak served with a field mushroom compote, or herb-crusted Atlantic cod with a pesto and balsamic dressing and linger over a bottle of merlot. The romantic feel continues in your softy-lit room: gaze out over a quaint wooden jetty and the glittering waters of Lough Ennell as you sip freshly brewed tea in a window-side plush armchair.

Bloomfield House Hotel’s waterside setting makes for a peaceful and rejuvenating getaway. Take hand-in-hand sunset strolls down the plant-lined lakeside walkway or through colourful and exquisitely manicured parkland. If you fancy wandering further afield, pay a visit to nearby Belvedere House and Gardens, where you can while away the afternoon in a magical Victorian walled garden or saunter around an 18th-century Gothic ruin.

After all that fresh air and exploring, rest your muscles in the hotel’s refined spa. Luxuriate in the indoor pool, steam room and sauna, or pamper yourself with a relaxing treatment. Nourish skin with a hydrating facial, help your muscles unwind with a massage, or try a full-body wrap to glow head-to-toe.