Great family hotels in Ireland for your next family break

Our selection of the best family hotels in Ireland for comfort, welcome and family friendly services. 

A night in hotel is always a huge treat in my book and not just when we are in faraway lands.

Sometimes, all it takes for me to feel I am taking a break is to check into a lovely property and let the rooms and amenities work their magic, even if the amenities in question happen to be down the road!

I love planning family getaways in Ireland and, over time, we have come across many Irish hotels that cater for families and offer that just-like-holiday-weekend-feel without having to fly or take time off work.

Here is our selection of some of the best family hotels in Ireland based on our experience and that of reliable local friends. Whether you are local and feel like a weekend getaway or you are exploring Ireland for the first time, I hope you have a great stay!

Looking for more ideas on family getaways in Ireland? hen you may also like:

• Best day trips from Dublin
• 50+ cool and unique things to do in Ireland with kids
• Tips for visiting Ireland with kids
• Family guide to Dublin
• Family friendly castle hotels in Ireland
• Best family hotels in Dublin

Great family friendly hotels in Ireland for you next family getaways

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Waterford Castle, 4 star hotel Co Waterford

I open this selection with my latest obsession, Waterford castle. Located immediately outside Waterford city, Waterford castle is a great castle hotels for families offering different solutions depending on your budget and size of party.

The main castle has lovely, elegant rooms that can take up to two kids on roll-away beds. On the estate, they also have some lovely lodges that can take much bigger family groups and equipped with self catering facilities.

The lodges are lovely and new, they have a nice playground in front and staying there you can avail of the many family activities available on the estate such as falconry, clay pigeon shooting, golf, and nature trails. This is a favourite of ours and one of the best family hotels in Ireland for welcome and facilities.

This hotel offers:

• Fabulous rooms (up to 2 adults and 2 children in roll our beds)
• Excellent restaurant on site (Kids breakfast for free)
• Self catering option for larger families
• Lovely playground near the lodges
• Great island walk
• Kid friendly activities available on the island such as falconry, clay pigeon shooting, golf, and nature trails

You can check availability and prices of this family friendly hotel in Ireland here 

Newpark Kilkenny, 4 star hotel, Co Kilkenny

I have heard of this hotel from a friend who went to a big family reunion here and sang the praises of this hotel, saying all generations were brilliantly catered for.

The hotel prides itself for its family services: it has family rooms and several amenities on site including an animal petting zoo, dedicated go-karting track, fairy trail, tree top adventure centre, kids club, and playground.

Kilkenny is a fantastic place to explore with kids: you can check out what to do in Kilkenny with family here and how to add it to your Ireland  road trip here.

This hotel offers:

• Superior family rooms for up to 5 people
• Restaurant on site
• Free Wi-Fi
• Onsite family activities  in the impressive 40 acres hotel grounds
• Kids club

You can check hotel photos, prices and availability here

Amber Springs, 4 star hotel, Co Wexford

Amber Springs is a family friendly hotel in Co Wexford catering for families with rooms designed ad hoc for a stay with kids plus several activities (available during holidays and school breaks).

Depending on your budget and number of family members, you can choose between the standard family rooms and the family suites, which come equipped with kids dens!

The hotel offers:

• Family rooms
• Restaurant on site
• Free Wi-Fi
• Indoor family activities such as arts & crafts, pool and table tennis tournaments and family movie nights.
• Outdoor family activities such as  Go Karts, crazy golf, treasure hunts and ball games
• Kids club (4 to 12)
• Leisure centre with kids pool

This hotel features regularly on the list of the best family hotels in Ireland and we heard good reports from friends who stay there. Just make sure you double check the dates when activities are available as they do not usually run outside of bank holiday weekends and school holidays.

The hotel books out fast: you can secure your room here

Maldron Oranmore, 3 star hotel, Co Galway

This is a family friendly 3 star hotel located just outside Galway city.

We spent here a lovely weekend and the kids adored the pool (with separate area for little swimmer) and the restaurants onsite, serving good pub food and equipped with kids menu.

On arrival, you may be less than impressed by the location (you need a car) but the hotel is great for a stay with kids. It offers:

• Family rooms for up to 4 people
• Nice pool with kids section
• Free Wi-fi
• Restaurants on site
• Kids activities (full calendar available at reception on arrival)

This is one of the best family hotels in Ireland if you are looking for a pleasant hotel that will not break the bank

You can check availability and prices here

 

Delphi resort, 4 star hotel and resort, Co Galway

Perfect for outdoorsy families, the Delphi resort offers 4 star accommodation in beautiful Connemara and operates as a hotel and adventure centre.

Here you can relax in the nice resort rooms, make the most of the onsite spa but most of all enjoy the many outdoors activities on offer suitable for the whole family.

In terms of accommodation, you can choose between the 4 star hotel and the dorm style hostel on site, more budget friendly.

The resort has cafe, restaurant and bar on site and the resort prides itself for sourcing local ingredients, which is lovely especially at the end of an active day outdoors. This is the best family hotel in Ireland for outdoor lovers.

You can find availability, price and family solutions available at the Dephi resort here

 

Ashford castle, 5 star hotel, Co Mayo

A weekend or even a night in Ashford  castle is an absolute treat for both adults and kids.

Located in Cong, in Co Mayo, Ashford castle is a 5 star hotel and has an impressive family proposition. Here, families are truly treated like royalty and they can avail of stunning rooms, family friendly dining options at the onsite restaurant and a full array of kids activities. With a lego menu available, it comes as no surprise that Ashord comes as one of the best family friendly hotels in Ireland!

This hotel offers:

• Stunning rooms and surroundings
• Family friendly dining with child friendly seating
• Kids activities on site including falconry, Equestrian Centre, Woodland Zip-Line Course, Archery and more
• A special afternoon tea experience just for kids (and their parents)
• Special attention for kids such as the Lego menu with butler service, child bathrobe and slippers
• Baby sitting available

 

Check prices and availability directly on the Ashford castle website here

Inchydoney island lodge and spa, 4 star hotel, Co Cork

Located  just outside the heritage town of Clonakilty in West Cork, this hotel is in a fantastic loaction perfect to relax but also to explore the South of Irealnd and the remote landscapes it offers.

This hotel has special attentions for families and is a great place for a multi generational holiday, having sometihgn for everyone. In particular, we love that this hotel offers:

• Good size family rooms with the option of adding one more roll away bed and baby cot
• Fridge, Nespresso Machine, Robes, Slippers and Luxury Toileteries in room
• DVD Player and DVDS (on request)
• Our Childrens Lounge with Giant Connect 4, Xbox, Games, Books and Toys for all ages.
• Netflix Room
• Snooker Room
• Buckets, Spades, Kites and Beach Games available on loan from Reception
• Free Wi-Fi

You can check availability and prices in this family hotel in West Cork here 

Hotel Killarney, 3 star hotel, Co Kerry

Located in gorgeous Killarney, one of the most picturesque and well known towns in the whole of Ireland, the Killarney hotel is a wonderful place for a relaxing weekend or to use as a base to drive the stunning ring  of Kerry.

The hotel has several family friendly features inlcuding:

• Good size family rooms with living and dining room area
• Kids club (junior and teens)
• Pool and gym
• Family friendly restaurant on site
• Designate play area
• Free wi-fi

You can check availability and prices in this family hotel in Kerry here 

Lough Eske, 5 star hotel, Co Donegal

Lough Eske is a five star Irish castle hotel welcoming families in stunning Donegal, in the North West of the country.

 

The hotel has beautiful family rooms that can take one extra roll out bed and a limited number of interconnecting rooms: book early to secure one as they are in demand!

Book a stay in Lough Eske Irish Castle Hotel for:

• Spacious family rooms, some interconnecting
• Gorgeous grounds
• Several dining option including casual dining in the bar/grill

You can check availability and prices in this stunning family hotel in Ireland here

Parknasilla resort and spa, 4 star hotel, Co Kerry

Located close to beautiful Kenmare, in a perfect position to explore the ring of Kerry, this is a lovely hotel with fantastic grounds and special attentions for families with kids of all ages.

In particular, this family friendly hotel in Ireland stands out for:

• Good size family rooms and lodges
• Stunning grounds with panoramic views over Kenmare bay
• Family friednly restaurant on site
• Free Wi-fi
• 12-hole golf course
• Spa with a swimming pool, thermal suites, and outdoor hot tubs
• Child friendly  outdoor facilities include archery, kayaking, petanque and fairy-themed walk for children.

You can check availability and prices for Parknasilla hotel and resort here

Lough Allen Hotel, 3 star hotel, Co. Leitrim

Located in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, this hotel is in a lovely area close to the beautiful beaches of the Wild Atlantic Way and to family attractions such as the Moorlands Equestrian Centre and Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, one of our kids favourite places in Ireland.

The Lough Allen Hotel is family friendly and has a dedicated children club called the ‘Lough Allen Monsterz club’ open to children of primary school age.

The hotel offers:

• Good size family rooms + family apartments for up to 6 people
• Family friendly restaurant on site
• Free WIFI
• Kids Club
• Outside play area
• Leisure centre with pool and splash pool
• Spa

You can check photos, availability and prices of Lough Allen family hotel here

 

Dromoland Castle, 5 star hotel, Co Clare

For a special family celebration, you can’t go wrong if choosing Dromoland, a stunning castle in Co Clare welcoming to familie and children of all aged. I have a love affair with Dromoland, one that started the moment I set eyes on it and I am obsessed about visiting with the kids. This hotel has family friendly rooms, services and activities and offers:

• Elegant grounds
• Fabulous restaurant on site (with kids menu, no dress code)
• Kids activities on the estate
• Amazing surroundings in stunning Co Clare

You can check availability and prices in Dromoland castle here

Druids Glen hotel and golf resort, 5 star hotel, Co Wicklow

We know this hotel well as we often have lunch here with family, who live nearby. This is an elegant, pleasant hotel in a great location in Co Wicklow, perfect if you want to epxlore the coast or the mountians nearby. This is the hotel of choice for friedns of ours who often go there to recharge. The hotel has family friendly ameentieis inlcuding:

• Good size family rooms
• Restaurants on site with child friendly menu
• Playgrounds on site
• Free wi-fi
• Swimming pool and spa

You can check availability and prices in Druids Glen here 

Hilton Templepatrick, 4 star hotel, Northern Ireland

I close this list with a hotel that we immensely enjoyed last year and that we used as a base to visit the Giants Causeway and the breathtaking. This hotel offers:

• Good size family rooms
• Child friendly restaurant on site with kids menu + a la carte menu with kid options a the bar
• Kids lounge with TV and games
• Swimming pool
• Free Wi-Fi
• You can read our full review of this hotel here or check availability and prices here

 

I hope you enjoyed this selection of family friendly hotels in Ireland. Safe travels!