My family will be traveling to Ireland in early November 2019. We look forward to fun experiences with the locals in the off-season! We like staying in charming, local, centrally-located hotels - focusing on value over bling! I'd appreciate your recommendations that meet this criteria in these cities:
Can't wait to hear from you! - Ron
Westport: We stayed at the Wyatt Hotel. It had location, location, location. What we didn't get was a good night's sleep. Our rooms were up over the bar/ restaurant area and it was loud until late. At 2 am, one of the hotel's workers came and parked himself under our window and began a loud cell phone call. The breakfast was also very, very sad. The cost/value ratio was extremely poor. This is not a hotel I would ever stay at again.
Belfast: Not a "charming" hotel, but the location can't be beat if you are going to be exploring the Titanic Exhibit. Premier Inn Titanic Quarter. Less than 5 minutes to the Titanic Exhibit walking along the river and about 15 minutes to downtown walking, less by bus. The rates here are a good value.
Instead of Portrush, consider Port Ballintrae just a little further along the coast and the Bayview Hotel. This was our absolute favorite hotel of our trip. They also have two apartments that they rent out that might fit a family trip quite well. The view out over the harbor is magnificient. This is a town where Irish people come on holiday and there are far fewer American tourists. Public Transport is good with the bus stopping right outside the hotel. It is a 10 minute walk to Bushmills. We walked to the Giants Causeway on a lovely path over the near by beach and headlands. It would be a great family walk. Dunluce Castle and Portrush were also quite walkable. I do confess we took the bus back from Portrush!
Here is the hotel's website
http://www.bayviewhotelni.com/
Kenmare: Ashfield Inn. http://www.ashfieldkenmare.com/ Hostess Mary's awards and reviews say it all. (3-minute drive or 10 minute walk into town.)
Westport: Willow Lodge. http://www.willowlodgewestport.com/ 5 minute stroll into the downtown; cheerful Angela fixes a wonderful made-to-order breakfast.
Dingle: The Pink Pig AIRbnb is not "centrally located", but was a great value and only a 5-minute drive to the shops/restaurants. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17935423? Not fancy, but the sheep and horses out the window, as well as the clothes washer in the middle of our trip, made it an ideal stopover.
Doolin...loved Daly's very friendly hosts, short walk to O'Connor's pub, great advice from Susan on local/area spots to visit, room for family visits http://www.dalys-doolin.com/
Kenmare...Kenmare: Ashfield Inn. http://www.ashfieldkenmare.com/ great value, great hosts
Dingle...our ground floor room had a king and a twin, great sitting areas, Camilla was great, 10 minute walk to harbor or quick drive
http://brownesdingle.com/
Westport: St Anthony's Riverside B&B is a lovely 10-minute walk from the center. Comfortable rooms, breakfast to die for. We are making our 2nd visit to Westport this spring and will be staying with Paul and Linda once again.
Mespil Hotel in Dublin. A modern hotel, clean, reasonable and just a great location. We walked everywhere. Not "charming" nor a B and B. Stayed in b and b the other 12 days of our stay in Ireland, though.
In Dingle, the Emlagh House was wonderful. Huge rooms, good breakfasts, nice people, good location, quiet.
Fisherman's Rest B&B in Doolin. Superb hosts, beautiful bedrooms and airy, sunny breakfast room. Right behind O'connor's Pub, the prime place to hear great trad. I don't believe there are any hotels in the village.
