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Accommodation in Ireland ranges from ultra-modern large sleek hotels to boutique hotels and elegant castles and more modest guesthouses and B&B’s that ooze charm and down home hospitality. Castles and privately owned estates can be hired complete with staff and a programme of outdoor activities for an all-encompassing stay. Guesthouses and B&B’s are rated as approved by Failte Ireland if they display a shamrock sign. Worldwide, hotel accommodation ratings range from one-star to five-star and Ireland conforms to international standards in this regard. Ireland is a country that is steeped in history, culture, geographical beauty and youthful energy. Positioned in the Atlantic Ocean on the outskirts of Western Europe, Ireland is a region famous for its scenery with a beautiful, much indented coastline, great areas of mountains, deep glens, lakes and sandy beaches.
All of the Irish cities are overflowing with trendy bars and nightclubs. Dublin, Cork and Galway boast their own charms, but it is out in the rolling countryside that you can unearth the idyllic Ireland of the movies. Here in the atmospheric old pubs you can experience the legendary 'craic' where music and song lead the course of an evening.
Properties that are available to book include Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, Guesthouses, Historic Castles, Hostels & Budget Accommodation, Cottages, Farmhouses, Apartments, Townhouses and Self Catering Holiday Homes.
Five-star: These are l uxurious hotels with spacious guest accommodation and suites available. These fine hotels boast some of the country’s best restaurants and offer table d’hôte and/or a la carte lunch/dinner menus. Exceptional service and a personalized welcome are the norm. These will have spa and other leisure facilities as standard of outstanding quality.
Four-star: Contemporary hotels of excellent quality and charming period houses renovated to a very high standard complete with all modern comforts. All guest accommodation is of high standard and half suites are usually available. Table d’hôte and/or a la carte lunch and dinner menus are available. Most modern hotels in this category will a leisure centre/golf course attached and many will have spa treatment rooms and facilities.
Three-star: These hotels range from small, family-operated premises to larger, modern hotels. Guest rooms are well decorated with the emphasis on comfort and all have private bathrooms with a bath and/or shower. Table d’hôte and/or a la carte dinner menus are available. These hotels offer a range of services making them ideal for the cost-conscious traveler seeking comfort.
Two-star: Basic hotel accommodation probably located a little off the beaten track. May not have restaurant facilities but still present a good standard of room at economic prices.
One-star: These Hotels probably are best avoided for the more mature traveler. They have basic facilities that would suit backpackers and young traveler groups. Will lack restaurant and breakfast facilities and will have common toilet and bathroom facilities.
Guesthouses and bed and breakfast facilities will typically vary from large family houses, Georgian and Victorian residences to larger professionally serviced modern premises similar to boutique hotels. The informal atmosphere and personal attention are of features of this category. The availability of meals to non-residents is not a requirement; however, some provide this service. All guesthouses comply with statutory regulations, which cover physical requirements and the level of service provided. Restaurant facilities are available in some guesthouses.
Four Star: This is the top classification for guesthouses in Ireland. Guest accommodation includes half suites and all guest rooms have private bathrooms with bath and/or shower, direct dial telephone, and colour TV and radio controllable from the bed. Room service offers full breakfast. Facilities include car parking, safety deposit boxes, fax, newspapers, and baby-sitting service.
Three Star: All guest rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower, and direct dial telephone. Room service offers breakfast. Facilities include a TV lounge; travelers cheques and at least two major credit cards are accepted.
Two Star: Half or more of the guest rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower. Facilities include a reading/writing room or lounge area for resident's use.
One Star: These premises meet all the mandatory requirements for guesthouses and offer simple accommodation, facilities and services to a satisfactory standard.
The premises in this category include old-style, period type, and modern farmhouses; the type of farming varies- mixed, tillage, dairy, sheep and poultry- all of interest to visitors, particularly if they come from the city. Evening meals are provided in some houses if notice is given before 12.00 noon each day. A new concept called Green Tourism, i.e. a holiday experience on a working farm, is also included this category of accommodation. Irish Farm Holidays Association is the representative body for these premises and further information may be obtained by contacting them.
Hostels provide clean, simple accommodation at a budget price, several with family rooms. They are ideally suited to the holiday-maker seeking a real alternative to conventional accommodation. The kitchen and common room often provide an international setting for socialising and meeting other hostellers from all over the world.
An Oige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) has a chain of 37 registered Youth Hostels situated in most of the scenic areas of Ireland. These hostels provide simple multi-bedded rooms with comfortable beds and facilities for cooking one's own meals. Members of An Oige or other youth organizations affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Federation may use the hostels on production of their membership cards and non-members may buy stamps at the hostels entitling them to use the hostels.
The self catering category of accommodation covers a variety of premises in urban and rural areas, ranging from modern bungalows, old converted houses, 'semi-detached' two-storey houses to group schemes of purpose-designed units. An informal grading system similar to guesthouses is used to measure standards. Most modern group schemes are 4-star standard with en-suite bedrooms and large living areas complete with modern appliances. Contact for information:
Four Star: Parks offer an extensive range of facilities and good management.
Three Star: Parks offer a good range of facilities and good management .
Two Star: Parks offer limited facilities and good management .
One Star: Parks offer minimum facilities required for registration.
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