This article's title is a common internet search string. Unfortunately, those searchers don't seem to realise that Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland - a separate country from Ireland. But, we get the idea: people want to visit Ireland's most famous cities, even if they're separated by an open border. So, we make their quest easier, by listing the best hotels, hostels, and alternate accommodations in Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland.
| 🌆City | 💸Budget | 💰Mid-range | 💳Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | Lyndon House double room €130/night | Waterloo Lodge double room for €200/night | The Shelbourne double room €500/night |
| Cork | Summer Beds program costs vary with accommodation | Sheila's Hostel prices start at €28/night | Hayfield Manor €250/night |
| Galway | Galway City Hostel dorm bunk €45/night | Asguard Guesthouse double room €200/night | Galway Bay Hotel double room €250/night |
| Kilkenny | Kilkenny Tourist Hostel from €14 | Kilkenny Inn double room €100/night | Rivercourt Hotel double room €200/night |
| Limerick | Brookville House double room €65/night | Kilmurry Lodge double room €180/night | Absolute Hotel €250/night |
| Sligo | Harbor House single room €40/night | Old Fort Lodge starting at €98/night | The Glasshouse double room €205/night |
| Belfast | Vagabond's Hostel private rooms start at £70 | Old Rectory double room £180/night | Merchant Hotel rooms start at £250 |
Getting To Ireland
Ireland, with Northern Ireland, forms an island, which sits off the English west coast.
Getting there by road - either coach or driving oneself is impossible, as there are no bridges between the two lands.
Besides chartering a boat, an idea typically out of the average traveller's budget, you have two ways to reach the Emerald Isle.
Ireland-bound flights from airports in the UK and around the world
Boats leave from various UK and European ports several times per day
Each option presents pros and cons that travellers should be aware of before deciding. This side-by-side comparison lays them out for you:
air pros:
- fast
- many airports
- saves time
air cons:
- limited luggage
- expensive
- must return to the same airport
ferry pros:
- bring more luggage
- bring your car a
- leisurely trip
- cheaper
ferry cons:
cuts into holiday time
For those with a relaxed holiday calendar, the ferry is the better choice. Having a car to travel around Ireland with will spare you the cost of buying train or coach tickets, and planning your fun around transportation schedules. Likewise, if you plan to camp your way across the island, coming over on the ferry with your car allows you to bring all your kit.
Getting to Northern Ireland
If, indeed, that is your destination, you may take a ferry straight there, or book a flight into Dublin. However, if your Ireland holiday includes a hop across the border, to Eire's northern neighbour, you must plan how you'll get there.
The border is open, no border checks.
Euroline Services operates in Ireland.
If you're already in Ireland, you'll likely want a quiet space to relax in as you review these options. So, we now set out to find top hotels in Ireland.
Ireland is in the European Union. Its currency is the Euro €.
Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. Its currency is the pound £.
Remember to exchange your currency when you cross the border!
Top Hotels in Ireland's Capital, Dublin
Choosing a hotel in Dublin - in any city, for that matter, depends on many factors. For all that Dublin is Ireland's largest city, it isn't huge, so finding a room close to what you want to see and do isn't as important as it would be in bigger cities.
Furthermore, Dublin has a great public transportation system: buses, trams, and light-rail trains ferry passengers all across the city. Bringing your car makes getting around even easier.
Dublin also has a bike share scheme, called Dublinbikes. You can download its app and ride around town for a small per-ride fee.
This city doesn't have much bike infrastructure. Pedestrians and drivers tend to ignore bike paths and riding in traffic can be dangerous. Be aware of this as you ride!
Location and transportation aside, the next big question is how much you want to spend on a room. Dublin, being Ireland's tourist hotspot, has accommodations to suit every budget.
Thrifty Options
Hostels, budget hotels, and Bed&Breakfast (B&B) establishments tend to gather north of the River Liffy. South of the river, where most of the attractions are, hotels tend to be a bit more expensive. If you don't mind a bit of a commute, check out:
Ashling House
- basic accommodations
- efficiently run
- double room rate: €140/night
Abbey Court Hostel
- clean, safe and well-run
- communal facilities
- bunks are €35 per-person/night
Lyndon House
- a quiet, clean B&B
- near the James Joyce House
- double room rate: €130/night
Midrange Hotels
For those wishing for a bit more - and, maybe, being closer to where all the action is, these houses may hit the mark:
Baggot Court Townhouse
- 3-star hotel
- ensuite bathrooms
- double room €220, breakfast included
Waterloo Lodge
- 3-star hotel
- in a quiet area
- double room for €200/w breakfast
Clayton Hotel Ballbridge
- 3 km from the City Centre
- 19th-century school building,
- double room €230/breakfast
Luxury Rooms
For traveller who love to splash the cash around, these facilities are tops. Dublin hotel chains include familiar names like Radisson Blu and Hilton, but travellers looking for the local flavour will prefer these hotels.
The Shelbourne
- a plush hotel in an 1824 building
- double €500/night, with breakfast
The Davenport
- an elegant facility in Georgian Dublin
- double €250/night, with breakfast
Room rates are subject to change, depending on when you travel, and what's going on in the city at the time. Keep this in mind as we cover hotels in other Irish cities.
Where to Stay in Cork, Ireland
When travellers plan what they'd like to see and do in Ireland, Cork - the county and the city, invariably crop up.
The city is renowned as a gourmet's paradise, and the surrounding areas have much to offer, as well. Having a comfortable base to rest up after exploring is vital. Luckily, you're spoilt for choice.
Cork is a university city. When the students go home for the summer, the school rents the beds.
This is a unique initiative that serves all parties well. Visitors get affordable rooms, complete with WIFI, television, and washing facilities. You have to provide your own food; unlike a hotel, Summer Beds offers no meal service. Otherwise, you might investigate Sheila's Hostel:
Moving slightly higher up the price chain we find Hotel Isaacs, a stylish house with quality amenities. It's practically a steal at just €110/night, with breakfast included.
Cork features many of the standard chain hotel names, but you'll find lots of homegrown brands, too. On the luxury end of hotel pricing, we favour:
Ballymaloe House
A bit out of the way, but outstanding food and service. A double room costs €300/night, breakfast included.
Hayfield Manor
Tucked behind the UCC campus, a quiet, charming facility with great food. €250/night, breakfast included.
The Best Irish Hotels in Select Cities
Ireland is much more than Cork and Dublin. Across the island, we find towns and cities with enticing labels: the Medieval Capital, the Nature Capital, the Music Capital, and so on.
Where should you visit in Ireland, and which hotel should you spend the night at?
Galway, Ireland's Music City
Travellers flock to this friendly city to sample the food, fun, and welcoming vibe. Accordingly, Galway boasts many hostels, B&Bs, and fine hotels.
Of them, we liked these the best:
Budget
- Galway City Hostel
- great vibe
- central location
- dorm bunk €45/night
Mid-priced
- Asguard Guesthouse
- close to train station
- clean, comfy rooms
- double room €200/night w/breakfast
Luxury
- Galway Bay Hotel
- on The Prom
- spa and leisure centre
- double room €250/night w/breakfast
Kilkenny, the Medieval Stronghold
You'll want a good night's rest after touring this city's sites. For your money, these houses provide great value:
Budget
- Kilkenny Tourist Hostel
- twin or double rooms
- from €18/person
- dorm bunk from €14
Mid-priced
- Kilkenny Inn
- central location
- great service
- double room €100/night w/breakfast
Luxury
- Rivercourt Hotel
- on the river
- in view of the castle
- double room €200/night w/breakfast
Limerick, the Treaty City
Sports fans and history buffs especially love Limerick, but this city has something for everyone. That includes a range of accommodations to suit every budget.
Value
- Brookville House
- ensuite rooms
- warm welcome
- double room €65/night w/breakfast
Midrange
- Kilmurry Lodge
- food and bar on-site
- near shopping
- double room €180/night w/breakfast
Top-shelf
- Absolute Hotel
- central location
- spa hotel double room
- €250/night w/breakfast
Meet Nature in Sligo
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Sligo to enjoy the rugged coastline and vast, open land. After taking all that in, they need a place to rest and recover. We suggest these facilities:
Budget
- Harbor House
- built in the 1840s
- reservations recommended
- single room €40/night
Midrange
- Old Fort Lodge
- near landmarks
- free parking
- rooms start at €98/night w/breakfast
Luxury
- The Glasshouse
- fun design
- on the river
- double room €205/night w/breakfast
Where to Stay in Northern Ireland
It wouldn't make sense to travel to the Emerald Isle and not visit one of its most important cities, even if it is in another country. No guide to Ireland would be complete without at least a footnote about visiting Belfast and where to spend the night.
Few travellers venture further than Dublin. Though one can find B&Bs throughout the country, the lion's share of hotels and hostels are in the city's capital.
Of them, we found these to be the most appealing.
Budget
- Vagabond's Hostel
- large shared space
- kitchen
- private rooms start at £70
Mid-priced
- Old Rectory
- charming and comfortable
- near university
- double room £180/night w/breakfast
Luxury
- Merchant Hotel
- in a converted bank
- rooftop gym and spa
- rooms start at £250
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