Childfree Holidays - in Ireland

cee_jay

There are only a couple of childfree hotels I am aware of in Ireland - Monart, The Europe - probably some of the other 5 star spa hotels.
I have been in a hotel, not realising it was a mid term break, and my relaxing swim was anything but with the pool full of families etc.
So childfree members of boards - where is your favourite place for holidays/mini breaks etc in Ireland that aren't overrun with kids?
I hope we are on the way back to reopening the country, so it would be nice to have a relaxing break to look forward to! Hopefully this thread could be a resource to refer to when you do want that adult only break.

Addle

Is anywhere safe?!
I book mid week off season breaks for this very reason.
Last hotel break was sept last year and the hotel was swarming with toddlers/pre schoolers. Never had that issue before so it was cos of covid.
No peace in pool or restaurant.

The 5 star hotels are out of my price range unfortunately.

To be honest I never go anywhere on holidays during July or August if I can help it!
Too many kids and far too expensive because of school holidays.

I know the Farnham Radisson in Cavan is adult only swimming pool, which is something!

bunny_mac

I've yet to find anywhere. Took my friend to The Cliff House Hotel in Waterford for her 40th birthday. I think it's 5 star, was really pricey anyway, not the sort of place I would have expected to encounter small children. But as soon as we walked in to reception there were kids running around screaming while their parents did nothing to attempt to quiet them down. We had an outdoor spa treatment, accompanied by children hanging over the balcony above us and staring at us for pretty much the whole thing. And our lovely dinner that evening had the delightful soundtrack of a small child crying throughout the whole thing and being ignored by its parents the whole time. Then when we were trying to sleep, all we could hear was children running around outside our room. So yeah, I'd be thrilled to hear about any child-free hotels but I'm not holding my breath.

magicbastarder

a child free pool is not something i'd consider at all important in terms of hotel booking on domestic holidays; nice if it's there and available, but we'd usually want to be out and about.

but as above, not having kids means we've often been able to take out (usually annual) international holiday in the likes of spain or portugal, when it's cheaper and the weather is more suited to two pasty white irish people.
that said, we have had the use of a private villa with private swimming pool a couple of times, but it's as much having to deal with no-one else in the pool, as it is about having to deal with kids there.

R.D. aka MR.D

bunny_mac wrote: »

I've yet to find anywhere. Took my friend to The Cliff House Hotel in Waterford for her 40th birthday. I think it's 5 star, was really pricey anyway, not the sort of place I would have expected to encounter small children. But as soon as we walked in to reception there were kids running around screaming while their parents did nothing to attempt to quiet them down. We had an outdoor spa treatment, accompanied by children hanging over the balcony above us and staring at us for pretty much the whole thing. And our lovely dinner that evening had the delightful soundtrack of a small child crying throughout the whole thing and being ignored by its parents the whole time. Then when we were trying to sleep, all we could hear was children running around outside our room. So yeah, I'd be thrilled to hear about any child-free hotels but I'm not holding my breath.

I was in Dromoland Castle for a work thing a few years ago and it was a similar experience, kids hanging out of everything. If I had paid that price for a hotel and there were that many kids, I'd be raging!!

jam_mac_jam

Farnham doesn't let kids in the pool spa area so there generally is not many in the hotel anytime I have been there. It's more golfy spa place.

Spanish Eyes

I don't know how accurate this site is, or whether the hotels mentioned will throw in the towel and welcome families to make up for lost time, but it's worth a phone call or two to see I suppose.

https://www.travelmyth.ie/Ireland/Hotels/adult_only

pinkypinky

I've been to Monart once and it was delightful, but it's expensive enough to be a once every few years visit. Come to think of it - well overdue.

Aisling(",)

I don't know of any adults-only hotels in Ireland.
We've usually just gone on holidays in the off season May/September or June at a push.
We also make sure if we're going to things that would be aimed at kids like the zoo that we go on weekdays when schools are on.

magicbastarder

is it just me who would be wary of going somewhere marked as 'adults only'? lest you be surrounded by 70 year olds who are just there for the golf, or that it's somehow code for a swingers resort?

Lia_lia

cee_jay wrote: »

There are only a couple of childfree hotels I am aware of in Ireland - Monart, The Europe - probably some of the other 5 star spa hotels.
I have been in a hotel, not realising it was a mid term break, and my relaxing swim was anything but with the pool full of families etc.
So childfree members of boards - where is your favourite place for holidays/mini breaks etc in Ireland that aren't overrun with kids?
I hope we are on the way back to reopening the country, so it would be nice to have a relaxing break to look forward to! Hopefully this thread could be a resource to refer to when you do want that adult only break.

Europe definitely not adult only.

I have a child (was drawn to this thread on the homepage) but definitely would be interested in knowing about more hotels where children aren’t allowed. Only aware of the Monart and would love to visit!

Balmed Out

If you go to a four or five start which has no pool theres a good chance there wont be any kids, before having some myself I would have enjoyed the lake hotel in killarney.

Lia_lia

Balmed Out wrote: »

If you go to a four or five start which has no pool theres a good chance there wont be any kids, before having some myself I would have enjoyed the lake hotel in killarney.

Had to laugh it this. I grew up in Killarney and my Mother used to bring us to the lake hotel and watch trad sessions where we’d run around the hotel with other kids. Maybe a different now. Absolutely gorgeous hotel. Probably my favourite in the country. Wouldn’t be many kids midweek in term time but they do close in the winter.

boardlady

Balmed Out wrote: »

If you go to a four or five start which has no pool theres a good chance there wont be any kids, before having some myself I would have enjoyed the lake hotel in killarney.

Good point. Families need the pools to give the kids something to do between outings and meals. Choosing a hotel with no pool and a higher price range is probably a good bet for less/no children.

secondrowgal

Monart is 100% child-free. I believe that the Bayview in Ballycotton is also.

notsoyoungwan

Gosh, I’d pay good money for a childfree hotel! I’ve had too many breaks ruined by screaming kids and over-indulgent parents who think strangers appreciate their ‘spirited’ little darlings!

shesty

You would have to pay me to bring my kids to stay in a hotel, tbh.

R.D. aka MR.D

magicbastarder wrote: »

is it just me who would be wary of going somewhere marked as 'adults only'? lest you be surrounded by 70 year olds who are just there for the golf, or that it's somehow code for a swingers resort?

In one way I'm looking forward to being old so I can go on a cruise. All the childfree ones seem to be for old people or somehow sex related...

I would much rather old people or swingers than kids!

magicbastarder

oh god i would welcome the sweet release of death quicker than i would go on a cruise.

R.D. aka MR.D

magicbastarder wrote: »

oh god i would welcome the sweet release of death quicker than i would go on a cruise.

Haha with what happened with COVID, i would think twice now but i kind of picture a cruise like a floating Las Vegas. Loads of food and booze and occasionally looking at something interesting!

Faith

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Haha with what happened with COVID, i would think twice now but i kind of picture a cruise like a floating Las Vegas. Loads of food and booze and occasionally looking at something interesting!

If that's what you're looking for, there are oodles of 5 star ultra luxury all inclusive adult only hotels in Mexico . All the food and booze you could want, without being stuck on a floating city!

Mollyb60

Balmed Out wrote: »

If you go to a four or five start which has no pool theres a good chance there wont be any kids, before having some myself I would have enjoyed the lake hotel in killarney.

Isn't the requirement of getting the 5th star that you have a pool? I came in here to mention Harveys Point in Donegal. I don't think I've ever seen a kid there and it's pretty pricey. It usually wins best hotel in Ireland but it's only a 4 star. And I always thought that was because they didn't have a pool/spa.

R.D. aka MR.D

Faith wrote: »

If that's what you're looking for, there are oodles of 5 star ultra luxury all inclusive adult only hotels in Mexico . All the food and booze you could want, without being stuck on a floating city!

It is the dream! I did loads of research on ones in Mexico just before COVID and came to find that a good number of them share space with hotels that do allow children. So there might be a shared restaurant or one side of the beach is adults only but the other allows kids.

I absolutely hate the sound of children. So i decided there was no way I'd pay that kind of money and then potentially have to listen to screaming/giggling kids 20ft away.

I think that many are aimed at honeymooners rather than people who don't like kids!! I would need to do more research on a genuinely childfree one.

bunny_mac

Mollyb60 wrote: »

Isn't the requirement of getting the 5th star that you have a pool? I came in here to mention Harveys Point in Donegal. I don't think I've ever seen a kid there and it's pretty pricey. It usually wins best hotel in Ireland but it's only a 4 star. And I always thought that was because they didn't have a pool/spa.

I haven't actually *stayed* at Harvey's Point for ages but any time I'm there it's crawling with kids.

bunny_mac

magicbastarder wrote: »

oh god i would welcome the sweet release of death quicker than i would go on a cruise.

LOL same! An Australian friend of mine described cruise-goers as 'floating battery chooks'.

Faith

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

It is the dream! I did loads of research on ones in Mexico just before COVID and came to find that a good number of them share space with hotels that do allow children. So there might be a shared restaurant or one side of the beach is adults only but the other allows kids.

I absolutely hate the sound of children. So i decided there was no way I'd pay that kind of money and then potentially have to listen to screaming/giggling kids 20ft away.

I think that many are aimed at honeymooners rather than people who don't like kids!! I would need to do more research on a genuinely childfree one.

Happy to provide a couple of recommendations! Maybe we need a separate thread for international destinations

Faith

Faith wrote: »

Happy to provide a couple of recommendations! Maybe we need a separate thread for international destinations

That would be great