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 to 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:
Great family-friendly hotels in Ireland for your next family getaway
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Waterford Castle, 4 star hotel Co Waterford
this was our room in Waterford castle, overlooking the garden
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 are 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 favorite 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
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, a fairy trail, tree-top adventure centre, kids club, and playground.
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.
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 (it has a separate area for little swimmers) and the restaurants on-site, 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
This family hotel was recommended to us by a friend of mine who has elected it as their destination of choice for their mid-term family getaway for the last two years already!
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 outdoor 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 a cafe, restaurant and bar on-site and 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.
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, kid-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 Ashford 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
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 location perfect to relax but also to explore the South of Ireland and the remote landscapes it offers.
The hotel overlooks a stunning sandy beach that you can reach in less than a minute from your room.
Where were there, a group surf lesson for kids and teens was in full swing and while we didn’t take part, it sure looked like fun!
This hotel has special attentions for families and is a great place for a multi-generational holiday, having something for everyone.
In particular, we love that this hotel offers:
Good size family rooms with the option of adding one more rollaway bed and baby cot
Fridge, Nespresso Machine, Robes, Slippers and Luxury Toiletries in room
DVD Player and DVDs (on request)
Children’s 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
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 including:
Good size family rooms with living and dining room area
Lough Eske is a fiv- star Irish castle hotel welcoming families in stunning Donegal, in the North West of the country.
Photo courtesy of Lough Eske Hotel
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!
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 attention 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
Family-friendly 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.
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’ favorite 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
For a special family celebration, you can’t go wrong if choosing Dromoland, a stunning castle in Co Clare welcoming to families and children of all ages.
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)
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
