Ireland. Usual weekend break. Bit of help?

breanach78

Hi. Hoping some out there can help and advise. Planning or trying to!, a weekend away from the kids with my wife. It will be the first in a while so I am looking for some ideas. I have of course googled to the end for ideas but everything seems to be very, well I don't know how to say but not for us this time. We have over time, with and without the kids stayed in lots and lots of hotels across Ireland and enjoyed them. I would maybe like to stay in a real "castles" We stayed two nights in Dromland recently at a wedding and nice as it was its not a true castle. Really our bedroom could have been in any hotel in Ireland. So basically not looking for the castle hotels. Not into cooking either so the country house cooking thing is out to and from what I can see way out of budget too! Boutique hotels are nice but if I am honest most are, IMO, totally overrated. Stayed in one a few years back and it was fine but in one way the the four star it claimed. Also most are in city's and I really want to get away from it all for a while but won't rule them out. Most nights away are on offers and deals so budget is important. So I hope I have relayed my requirements and ye know where I am coming from!

So, any ideas?

All welcome.

anne burnell

try the Talbot in Carlow.... lovely hotel, swimming pool and the Dome is right beside it for bolwing and stuff for the kids...

breanach78

anne burnell wrote: »

try the Talbot in Carlow.... lovely hotel, swimming pool and the Dome is right beside it for bolwing and stuff for the kids...

Thanks. Ill look it up. No kids though. Just me and the wife. It's a break away from them we need!

hootietootie

Myself and himself are heading to Redcastle Hotel next week, we have stayed before and it has been great, it's a bit of a trek for most people but we live in Donegal. Plan on getting the ferry across to Magilligan for a walk on the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. The pool is brilliant, glass walls looking out over the sea, some great offers on at the minute as well

finbarrk

You could do worse than looking at Gregans Castle Hotel in the Burren, Co. Clare.
http://www.gregans.ie/
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g212514-d212706-Reviews-Gregans_Castle_Hotel-Ballyvaughan_The_Burren_County_Clare.html

breanach78

finbarrk wrote: »

You could do worse than looking at Gregans Castle Hotel in the Burren, Co. Clare.
http://www.gregans.ie/
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Hotel_Review-g212514-d212706-Reviews-Gregans_Castle_Hotel-Ballyvaughan_The_Burren_County_Clare.html

To close to me! Half an hour away! Nice but would that not be classified as a hotel rather that a true castle.

Layinghen

How about Waterford Castle? It is still fully trading despite financial problems. We have stayed there a few times and absolutely love it. Real castle experience - lead window set in stone walls, huge fireplace in entrance hall and roll top baths in bathrooms.

breanach78

Layinghen wrote: »

How about Waterford Castle? It is still fully trading despite financial problems. We have stayed there a few times and absolutely love it. Real castle experience - lead window set in stone walls, huge fireplace in entrance hall and roll top baths in bathrooms.

Yes I thought about that but its a 4 hour from me, looks lovely btw.

Layinghen

Believe me it is well worth the drive. It is over 5 hours away from us but we make the journey part of the time away, stopping off for lunch on the way.

breanach78

Layinghen wrote: »

Believe me it is well worth the drive. It is over 5 hours away from us but we make the journey part of the time away, stopping off for lunch on the way.

Thanks. It's great to get a Recommendation. I will look into it further. Is like a true castle? Dromland was slightly disappointing as it was clearly based at the US market IMO. And the castle was only a tiny part of it. It was luxurious but our room could have been any where. I guess we could not afford one of the more luxurious rooms!

miamee

If you are looking for a really spectacular location as the most important part, how about one of the Irish landmark trust buildings? Special offer on Rewarding Times at the moment for €199 for 2 night stay. However it would involve either self-catering or eating out but if it's near a town this could work out ok
http://www.rewardingtimes.ie/weekend-stay-for-2-from-the-irish-landmark-trust.html

They also have an offer for Gleno Abbey though I have never been there either.

Layinghen

breanach78 wrote: »

Thanks. It's great to get a Recommendation. I will look into it further. Is like a true castle? Dromland was slightly disappointing as it was clearly based at the US market IMO. And the castle was only a tiny part of it. It was luxurious but our room could have been any where. I guess we could not afford one of the more luxurious rooms!

Yes it is a true castle. I have been in Dromoland and know what you mean about the rooms. Waterford Castle has only 18 rooms I think and there is no 'modern part' to the hotel.

miamee

Oh another suggestion - Castle Leslie. I have heard good things about that one and each room looks to be unique in the main house/castle.

http://www.castleleslie.com/castle-hotels-ireland.html#