Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

292  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Whether you are staying in exclusive luxury working farm. For the hardier visitor there are
or modest self-catering accommodation, you good hostels, trailer and camping sites, or even
can be sure of a warm welcome. The Irish are horse-drawn caravans. Details are given here
renowned for their friendliness. Even in big of the types of accommodation available,
corporate hotels, where you might expect the tourist board ratings and the choices for house
reception to be more impersonal, the staff go or apartment rental. The listings on pages 296–
out of their way to be hospitable. The choice 303 recommend hotels around the country,
is enormous: you can stay in an 18th-century ranging from simple bed-and-breakfast to
country house, a luxurious (or slightly run- luxury accommodation. Fáilte Ireland (the Irish
down) castle, a Victorian town house, a Tourist Board) and the Northern Ireland Tourist
commercial hotel, a cosy village inn, or on a Board both publish comprehensive guides.

Prices reflect the type of house
and standard of accommodation,
but all offer excellent value and
an experience of an old world
grandeur that forms one aspect
of Irish life and history.
There are many other private
residences that also take paying
guests, some of which include
luxury spas. Ireland’s Blue Book
(Irelands-blue-book.ie) provides
information on these homes,
and reservations can be made
through their website.
Luxurious spa at the Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork (see p298)
Guesthouses
Hotels
The shamrock symbols of both Most guesthouses are found in
At the top of the price range the Northern Ireland Tourist cities and large towns. They are
there are a handful of expen- Board and Fáilte Ireland are usually converted family homes
sive, luxury hotels in castles displayed by hotels (and other and have an atmosphere all of
and stately country houses. forms of accommodation) their own. Most offer a good-
Magnificently furnished and that have been inspected and value evening meal and all
run, they offer maximum officially approved. provide a delicious full Irish
comfort, delicious food and a breakfast (see p306). Top-of-the-
wide range of sports facilities – Country House range guesthouses can be just
either owned by the hotel or as good, and sometimes even
available close by. Salmon Accommodation better, than hotels. Visitors will
fishing, fox-hunting and Visitors wishing to stay in a see a much more personal side
shooting can be arranged period country home and of a town or city while staying at
as well as riding, golf, sailing sample authentic Irish country
and cycling. life can contact a specialist
For those looking for a full organization called Hidden
range of indoor facilities, such Ireland. However, this type of
as a gym, sauna and pool, the accommodation may not suit
modern hotel chains will best everybody, as the houses are
cater to these needs. The Doyle not guesthouses or hotels, but
Collection and Carlton Hotel something quite different.
Group offer this standard of Visitors should not expect
accommodation in the modern hotel-style facilities and
Republic, as does Hastings services. Instead the experience
Hotels in Northern Ireland. is an intimate one; guests dine
Coastal resort hotels usually together with their hosts as if at
offer a range of sports activities a private dinner party. Many of
or can advise you on the best the houses have been in the
places to go. In smaller towns, same family for hundreds of
the main hotel is often the years and the stories attached The entrance to the Shelbourne Dublin
social centre of the area. to them can be fascinating. (see p296)
Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, Powerscourt, County Wicklow (see p297)

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