Being close to the beach is usually at the top of my wish list when I choose a hotel at home or abroad. With this in mind, I’ve hand-picked 25 beach hotels in Ireland for the best ocean swims or beach walks.
1. Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Cork
The multi award-winning Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Hotel is a wonderful choice for a romantic or family escape. It is located on a stunning Blue Flag beach which has been voted Ireland’s best beach by Tripadvisor for the last three years. The spa boasts unique seawater therapies and it has been voted Ireland’s Leading Spa Resort at the World Travel Awards seven times! Therefore it’s no surprise that the Inchydoney Island Lodge Hotel is considered one of the best beach hotels in Ireland.
2. Dingle Skellig Hotel, Kerry
The Dingle Skellig Hotel is superbly situated overlooking Dingle Bay. You can bathe in the sea, or choose many of the other beaches close by. The hotel also has a leisure club, swimming pool, spa, and outdoor hot tub – so if you just want to relax, you can do that too! Rated excellent on TripAdvisor, this is one of the best places to stay in Dingle.
3. Cliff House Hotel, Waterford
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I stayed overnight in The Cliff House Hotel last year and loved it. It is regarded by many as one of the best hotels in Ireland and I couldn’t agree more. This five-star boutique hotel is perched on a cliff over looking the beach in the small fishing village of Ardmore. I think it is the ultimate romantic hideaway. My advice would be to enjoy some kayaking in the Irish Sea before sampling some of the delicious food on offer in the hotel.
4. Renvyle House Hotel, Galway
Renvyle House Hotel is superbly located along the Wild Atlantic Way. It boasts its own private lake as well as 1km of beach, woodlands and gardens. Fishing, swimming and boating are popular outdoor activities, while the indoor heated pool is popular during the winter months.
5. Slieve Donard Hotel, Down
I have been fortunate to stay at the impressive Slieve Donard Hotel on a few occasions, as the Northern Ireland Travel Industry Awards are held there every year. Despite the cold November breeze, I never miss an opportunity to walk along its golden sandy beach. As well as having a superb beachfront location, it borders the Royal County Down Golf Links course and the village of Newcastle. It also has an awarding winning spa on site.
6. Quality Hotel Youghal, Cork
The Quality Hotel Youghal offers hotel rooms, beachfront apartments and houses, right on a Redbarn’s Blue Flag Beach. There are two-bedroomed apartments that sleep up to five, as well as holiday homes that sleep up to seven. They are very affordable and allow you enjoy all the facilities of a hotel, while staying in spacious self catering accommodation. With a gym, spa and swimming pool on site, you will be spoilt for choice. This is one of the most popular beach hotels in Ireland for families.
Check prices here
7. Seafront Inn Inch beach, Kerry
The Seafront Inn offers a selection of hotel rooms, apartments and even hostel-style dormitory rooms. Its stunning clifftop location overlooking one of Ireland’s best beaches, along with a lively bar and restaurant, make it an ideal choice for couples looking for a beach holiday with a relaxed vibe.
8. Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal
Located right by the sea on the Wild Atlantic Way, this relatively new hotel (opened in 2016) boasts stunning sea views. The leisure centre has a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and a spa with balneotherapy bath with 190 water jets. Combine this spa break with a visit to theSlieve League Cliffs, Donegal’s answer to the Cliffs of Moher, and one of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe.
9. Galway Bay Hotel, Galway
Located in Salthill, overlooking the famous Galway Bay, this hotel has been voted as one of Europe’s Top 20 Resorts by the prestigious travel magazine Conde Nast. You can choose to stay onsite and enjoy the Cuan Atlantic Beauty Spa, gym and 15-metre pool, or venture into Galway City which is only five minutes drive away. This is one of the best value beach hotels in Ireland.
10. Kellys Resort Hotel & Spa, Wexford
If you are looking for a luxury beach hotel in Ireland that caters superbly for families, then look no further than Kelly’s Resort Hotel in Wexford. We stayed here a few years ago and it reminded me of a hotel in the Mediterranean, it has a real ‘resort’ feel to it. Most people book the full board package and tend not to leave the hotel – with five miles of sandy beach, award winning cuisine and a host of activities for children, its not difficult to see why. Read my review to find out more.
Read: Is Kelly’s the best family hotel in Ireland?
11. Sandhouse Hotel, Donegal
The 4-star Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Spa overlooks Donegal Bay and the beautiful Rossnowlagh Beach. With award-winning cuisine and a marine spa that specialises in Irish-sourced organic seaweed (Voya), this offers a relaxing escape on the Wild Atlantic Way off peak, while the summer months attract families and surfers looking for an active holiday.
12. Mulranny Park Hotel, Mayo
The Mulranny Park Hotel boasts an idyllic location overlooking Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick Mountain, and also happens to be located on most scenic section of Great Western Greenway. You can swim in the Blue Flag Mulranny Beach, cycle on the Greenway or enjoy the hotel’s indoor leisure centre. As well as standard and deluxe rooms, its also boasts two-bedroom apartment suites which are very popular with families.
13. Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Clare
With the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and the Burren on your doorstep, as well as the traditional Johnny Burke’s Irish pub on site, its no surprise that the Armada Hotel is one of Clare’s most popular hotels. Check out their gorgeous seascape suites (pictured above) for the ultimate Wild Atlantic Way experience.
14. Connemara Sands Hotel & Spa, Galway
With private access to the Blue Flag Mannin Bay beach, the Connemara Sands Hotel is one of the best beach hotels in Ireland. With crystal clear waters, fine food and a Voya seaweed spa, it is not surprising that it has received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.
15. Majestic Hotel, Tramore, Waterford
The Majestic Hotel is located in the seaside town of Tramore. It overlooks Tramore Bay and is a short stroll from its impressive 5km golden beach. It is also close to Waterford city and the Waterford Greenway, and is an ideal location for families looking for an active holiday in Ireland.
16. Ocean Sands Hotel, Enniscrone, Sligo
Located in the heart of Enniscrone, overlooking one of Ireland’s best beaches, the location couldn’t be better. Children will love Waterpoint Aqua Park which is only a few minutes walk away, and there are family rooms as well as two and three bedroom apartments that can accommodate larger families.
17. Strand Inn, Dunmore East, Waterford
The Strand Inn is located in one of Ireland’s prettiest towns, Dunmore East. This small hotel, with just fifteen rooms, has a relaxed beach style. Its panoramic sea views and proximity to the beach have made it a firm favourite with repeat guests.
18. Salthouse Hotel, Ballycastle, Antrim
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Ballycastle is the perfect place to stay if you want to explore the Causeway Coast. We stayed in this delightful beach town a few years ago and loved it. The Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and Dunluce Castle are all a short drive away, and the town has some great dining options too. The eco-friendly Salthouse Hotel offers magnificent sea views, however unlike some of the other beach hotels in Ireland that I have chosen, the Salthouse Hotel is a 20 minute walk to Ballycastle beach.
Read: A magical few days on the Causeway Coast
19. Portmarnock Hotel, Dublin
If you want to combine a visit to Dublin with a beach hotel, Portmarnock is an ideal choice. Located just 20km from the city centre, which is easily accesible by train, this beachfront hotel also boasts an award-winning links golf course and luxury spa.
21. Diamond Coast Hotel, Sligo
The Blue Flag Enniscrone beach is renowned as one of the safest beaches on Ireland’s west coast. Its golden sand stretches for 5km, making it popular with families and water sports enthusiasts.
The Diamond Coast Hotel is just a short walk from Enniscrone beach and is very popular with couples and families. There is a choice of dining options and large rooms with kids facilities for families.
22. Connemara Coast Hotel, Galway
Offering spectacularviews over the Atlantic, yet only 10 minutes drive from Galway City, the Connemara Coast Hotel offers the best of both worlds. The Leisure club boasts a 19 metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, gym and treatment rooms. With the Connemara coast and the Wild Atlantic Way on your doorstep, what more could you need?
23. Redcastle Hotel Golf & Spa, Donegal
The Redcastle Hotel on the Inishowen Peninsula is a great choice to explore the Donegal coast. However, with its stunning waterfront location, 9-hole golf course and Thalasso Spa, you may find it difficult to leave.
24. Garryvoe Hotel, Cork
The beachfront Garryvoe Hotel is a firm favourite with families and couples alike. There is a health club with gym, jacuzzi, sauna and outdoor hot tub, as well as a 25 metre swimming pool and aqua jogging ring. The hotel is tastefully furnished in contemporary style, with sea views from all public areas and a choice of dining options.
25. Red Cliff Lodge, Spanish Point, Clare
Red Cliff Lodge is a delightful thatched property that overlooks Spanish Point beach. The six sea view suites are particularly popular with families, as they are arranged in a courtyard style and come with a kitchenette. With the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Burren close by, this is a great base to discover the Wild Atlantic Way.
I hope this post on beach hotels in Ireland will help you plan your next staycation soon. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
Sarah
