5-star hotels in Ireland


Enjoy warm Irish hospitality and decadent facilities at these world-class 5-star hotels in Ireland.

Enjoy Ireland's breathtaking scenery from this 5-star hotel in Ireland
Enjoy Ireland’s breathtaking scenery. Image credit: Cliff House Hotel

With amenities to suit the most discerning traveler and sumptuous luxury, these hotels, resorts, and bed-and-breakfasts will make your vacation to Ireland unforgettable. These featured five-star hotels fill quickly, so be sure to book your reservations well in advance.

There’s plenty to see and do in Ireland, from fine dining in the cosmopolitan city of Dublin to shopping for exquisite porcelain in Cork, to finding lovely lace and linen in Galway. For the history buff, there are castle ruins and historic sites spread across Ireland’s cities.

The best luxury 5-star hotels in Ireland for couples

Choosing Ireland for a romantic getaway is the ideal way to add some spice to your relationship and fall in love all over again. These 5-star hotels in Ireland have concierge services that can help you meet your every whim.

Hayfield Manor, Cork

This upscale hotel has a fine dining restaurant on-site and decadent manor rooms and suites that indulge every sense in elegant luxury. This family-owned boutique hotel received the World Travel Award for Ireland’s Leading Boutique Hotel in 2017, and for good reason. Although it’s situated in the busy city of Cork, behind the manor’s tall, ivy-draped walls is a quiet oasis of comfort and peerless service. Guests can enjoy a stroll through the private gardens or sample a gourmet meal in the Orchid restaurant.

Enjoy one of Hayfield Manor‘s inclusive romantic hotel packages, which are designed for those celebrating a wedding night or “mini-moon.” At the Hayfield Manor, there’s something to make every couple smile.

Cliff House Hotel, County Waterford

Views from The Cliff House pool. Image credit: The Cliff House

This jewel box of a 5-star hotel in Ireland offers cottages and deluxe rooms and is situated on a bluff facing the Celtic Sea in Ireland. Explore the town of Ardmore, with sandy beaches and trails that invite a pleasant day hike to local ruins or relax on your cliffside veranda overlooking the water. Or take a day trip inland to Lismore, a quaint village dominated by a castle, and bring home unique souvenirs from your travels.

Cliff House Hotel can facilitate helicopter tours of nearby scenery and provides access to a full range of outdoor wellness activities, including archery, sea kayaking, river kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, and powerboating.

The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection, Dublin

For couples looking for an inclusive wedding and honeymoon package, Marriott’s Shelbourne Hotel, located in the heart of Dublin, is an ideal location. The property offers full-service event planning for both a wedding ceremony and a lavish, unforgettable reception party. Treat your guests to a night to remember with world-class dining and five-star service, luxurious accommodations, and attention down to the last detail. The convenience of hotel rooms on-site makes it perfect to accommodate your out-of-town guests as well.

Book into one of The Shelbourne’s sumptuous guest suites, perfectly appointed with staff on hand to anticipate your every need. This graceful, elegant hotel has been carefully preserved, with roots dating back nearly 200 years. Each suite is carefully decorated to evoke the character of legendary guests of The Shelbourne, including Princess Grace, JFK, Michael Collins, and Éamon de Valera.

Rooms are generously sized, with high ceilings and separate sleeping and seating areas. Each suite is individually decorated to the highest standard, with wall coverings, linens, and furnishings chosen to celebrate the great heritage of this historic hotel.

Best 5-star hotels in Ireland for a spa retreat

Monart, County Wexford

Monart is an adult-only establishment and a premier five-star spa retreat in Ireland. Relax and rejuvenate in an environment with one sole purpose in mind; to create a relaxing, mindful environment focused on your enhanced wellbeing.

The spa features 15 different treatment rooms, with dark and light revelation rooms and a heat treatment suite including an outdoor Finnish Sauna, salt grotto, and an infra-red pro suite. Meals are light and nutritious, served in Monart’s Spa Café throughout the day.

The Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney

The Europe Hotel & Resort overlooks the Lakes of Killarney and is close to Lough Leane. The lush green countryside of County Kerry and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range surround the hotel, inviting hours of time for guests to spend wandering the grounds or enjoying a wide range of leisure activities including golf, horseback riding, boating and fishing, walking and hiking, tennis, swimming, gym activities, and spa treatments.

ESPA at The Europe Hotel & Resort is one of the most exclusive spas in the country, with memberships available for purchase and guest treatments for those staying at the hotel. Highlights include holistic whole-body rituals designed to relax the soul and inspire the mind.

Park Hotel Kenmare, County Kerry

This hotel began operations in 1897 and today combines rich Irish history with stunning panoramic views of the rugged Kerry countryside. Park Hotel Kenmare is a sought-after spa retreat destination. SÁMAS spa offers three-hour bookings, where treatments include a thermal suite, holistic treatment, and an hour in the on-site relaxation room.

The old-fashioned charm of Park Hotel Kenmare is what makes visitors fall in love with the place. The Victorian landmark overlooks the glistening waters of Kenmare Bay, with an exotic mountain backdrop.

Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare

Sheen Falls Lodge Premium Deluxe Room. Image credit: Sheen Falls Lodge
Sheen Falls Lodge Premium Deluxe Room. Image credit: Sheen Falls Lodge

Sheen Falls Lodge is situated in Kenmare, overlooking the stunning natural views of Kenmare Bay and the cascading Sheen Falls. This hotel offers luxurious spa accommodations, ideal for a girls’ weekend or a couple looking to reconnect. Gourmet dining includes a home-smoked salmon, organic vegetables, and fresh local ingredients prepared by world-class chefs.

The Estate’s Easanna Spa, perfectly appointed to provide relaxation and rejuvenation, has breathtaking views of the nearby lake and towering trees. The light, serene accommodations feature gorgeous exposed wood and floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting you to relax away the day in the sauna or steamer or book one of the many massages, facial, or holistic body treatments from one of the Sheen Falls certified aestheticians. These indulgent services incorporate the whole line of the Voya organic product range, which draws from the Emerald Isle’s own natural nutrients.

Ireland’s top five-star hotels for families

The Westbury, Dublin

Dine at The Westbury. Image credit: The Westbury

The Westbury is situated in an ideal location to take advantage of all that Dublin has to offer, including the Dublin Zoo, the Leprechaun Museum, and the Viking Splash Tour.

The Westbury offers free babysitting services for younger guests during the day and at night, children can choose to sleep in a small teepee tent compete with fluffy pillows and wind down with a supper of milk & cookies. With several different eateries on site, luxurious accommodations and spa services for mom and dad, and 24-hour room service, there’s something to please everyone at The Westbury.

Gregans Castle Hotel, County Clare

Enjoy top-notch service in this family-run hotel with roots that date back to 1940. Nestled in the wilds of beautiful Burren on Ireland’s west coast, this five-star hotel is a perfect hotel destination for family breaks in Ireland. Gregans is known for its open fires in sweeping stone fireplaces, flickering candlelight throughout the halls, and breathtaking decor ranging from modern art to antique furniture.

The rich history of the estate makes it educational for families with children and provides access to different types of leisure activities such as horse-riding, golf, cycling, sea kayaking, or rock climbing. If you choose to leave the resort, enjoy a trip out to the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, and Aillwee Cave. Or, opt to spend a memorable evening jigging to some traditional Irish music in the picturesque villages of Doolin and Kilfenora.

The Merrion, Dublin

Treat your family to the best in luxurious elegance while staying in Dublin’s city center at The Merrion. This historic building is within walking distance to Trinity College, Stephen’s Green, The National Gallery, and Grafton Street, as well as many of Dublin’s popular shopping and dining destinations.

For families wanting to explore Dublin, The Merrion couldn’t be better as there’s plenty of sightseeing within walking distance. Light and airy guest rooms are luxurious yet still comfortable for families with children. A restaurant on-site and 24-hour room service make dining convenient while you enjoy your Dublin adventure.

5-Star castle hotels in Ireland

Dromoland Castle a true 5-star hotel in Ireland’s County Clare

Historic Dromoland Castle was transformed in the mid-20th-century from a private home to a landmark historic hotel. This castle is at the center of a dairy farm and now home to a championship golf course. The par 72 course, redesigned by Ron Kirby and the late JB Carr, encircles the entire historic estate. The course has a state-of-the-art practice facility too, including 10 fully automated driving bays.

The castle is nestled among beautiful rolling hills and farmland, with plenty of outdoor leisure activities unique to the castle setting including hawking, archery, and clay pigeon shooting. Enjoy the natural wildlife and scenery on casual walks with the family or engage in on-site activities at the swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, sauna, steam room, or beautiful spa.

Ashford Castle, County Mayo

An aerial view of Ashford Castle. Image credit: Ashford Castle

A unique royal adventure begins when you and your significant another step into this 800-year-old castle. Although this imposing castle has stood the test of time, inside, careful renovations give travelers unparalleled luxury combined with a vibrant history. Ashford Castle overlooks placid Lough Corrib and was once home to the Guinness family of iconic brewery fame. Enjoy a perfect night’s sleep inside a guest room steeped in rich history and appointed to the height of luxury. The hotel has undergone a loving, extensive renovation designed with unique character and charm, which combines the castle’s original features with the latest modern luxuries.

This property was named in the Top 25 Hotels for Romance in Ireland in TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2019. Pamper yourself at the on-site spa or roam the full 350 acres of lush Irish parkland.

Crom Castle, County Fermanagh

Crom Castle, the West Wing of Lord and Lady Erne’s ancestral castle home, is open for travelers to this quaint Irish county. The castle itself is managed by the National Trust and is a Scheduled Historic Monument. Rolling green hills surround this castle hotel, located on the shores of Lough Erne. Accommodations include luxurious guest rooms appointed with fine linens and walkable access to the historic Old Crom Castle ruins.

Outbuildings include the old boathouse, once home to the Lough Erne Yacht Club, as well as a tea house and schoolhouse. Guests may also use the castle and grounds for weddings and special events.

Wherever your Ireland travels take you, make sure you book a reliable Blacklane car service in Dublin to travel in style.