When it comes to luxury, the island of Ireland has no shortage of options. From castles and country manors to spa resorts and sleek city hotels, here are just six properties travellers can consider on their next indulgent holiday to the Emerald Isle.
From lighthouses and penthouses to designer suites and luxury castles, travellers who appreciate exceptional beauty and finesse in their surroundings will be thoroughly enthralled in Ireland.
Here is a round-up of Ireland’s most stunning hotels, unique stays and luxurious piles.
Luttrellstown Castle Resort
The venue where David and Victoria Beckham held their fairytale wedding in 1999, Luttrellstown Castle in Castleknock, Dublin, is pure opulence.
Nestled in the heart of a sprawling 567-acre private estate and part of the Original Irish Hotels portfolio, this magnificent 15th-century castle features 20 beautifully appointed bedrooms, an awe-inspiring library, an 18-hole championship golf course, elegant ballrooms, manicured gardens and more.
Offered for hire on an exclusive basis, Luttrellstown Castle has welcomed many other notable celebrities and members of the royal family including the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, Fred Astaire, Douglas Fairbanks, Queen Magrethe II of Denmark, Paul Newman and Ronald Reagan.
Monart Destination Spa
One of three hotels owned and run by the boutique Griffin Group, the 5-star Monart Destination Spa is located in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Listed as the world’s top 1 per cent on Tripadvisor and as both Conde Nast Traveller and Forbes’ Top 10 properties worldwide, this adults-only spa resort features 68 deluxe rooms, two suites in the 18th Century Georgian Monart house, as well as an expansive spa facility with 15 treatment rooms and an impressive list of services to pamper guests throughout their stay. To top off the experience, the fine dining Monart Restaurant is Michelin recommended, while the more casual Garden Lounge promises relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.
Culloden Estate and Spa
The most prestigious hotel in Northern Ireland, the 5-star Culloden Estate & Spa is one of six properties in the Hasting Hotels portfolio. Located on the Hollywood Hills in Belfast, the Culloden was once a majestic Gothic mansion steeped in history. Originally built as an official palace for the Bishops of Down, this secluded estate sprawls across 12 acres of painstakingly manicured gardens and woodland.
With seven types of rooms to choose from, all distinctly furnished and looking out at spectacular views of the gardens, Belfast Lough or the County Antrim coastline, Culloden is popular not only for holidaymakers, but also for private occasions and corporate events.
Killeavy Castle
Nestled within 350 acres of farm, forest and gardens, the Killeavy Castle Estate in Northern Ireland’s County Armagh (an hour from Belfast and Dublin) offers different stay experiences from its charming self-catering Gatelodge to the 4-star boutique hotel and the magnificent fairytale-like 19th century castle.
Their farm-to-table dining experience is as fresh and colourful as it gets, and with five different venues to choose from including a secret cellar, guests can be assured they will receive the utmost attention and privacy.
Park Hotel Kenmare
Located in the heart of the Heritage Town of Kenmare, yet secluded in stunning waterfront gardens on the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way, the privately owned historic Park Hotel Kenmare has been long regarded as one of the world’s most revered and inspirational luxury hotels.
Guests have the choice of enjoying the hotel’s complimentary daily lifestyle program featuring yoga, garden tours, nature hikes, sport facilities, meditation and fitness classes or they may opt to luxuriate at their SAMA Destination Spa or play golf at the adjacent golf course.
The hotel’s delectable tasting menu is not to be missed; and whiskey lovers will be impressed that the property is home to one of Europe’s largest whiskey collection and even offer whiskey tasting sessions led by renowned expert John Moriarty.
Powerscourt Hotel and Spa
Boasting a Palladian-style architecture with 198 generously sized rooms, most with unobstructed panoramic views of Sugar Loaf Mountain, the 5-star Powerscourt Hotel and Spa in County Wicklow is part of the magnificent Powerscourt Estate.
Featuring a 20m Swarovski crystal-lit swimming pool, a Hamman suite, two championship golf courses, a secluded spa experience by ESPA, three very different dining venues and even more dining experiences, sprawling manicured grounds, a range of activities on offer will keep guests occupied for days, including nature walks, falconry and whiskey tasting at the Powerscourt Distillery, where Fercullen Whiskey is produced.
For more inspiration on a luxury holiday to Ireland, visit here.
Have you visited Ireland? Where would you most like to stay out of these six gorgeous properties? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Ultimate Ireland must-dos
