10 of the Best Hotels in Ireland for Families
As a mom of two young daughters, I’m constantly searching for exceptional family-friendly hotels where we can take a brief break from our everyday routine. Fortunately, Ireland boasts loads of kid-friendly hotels, and we’ve had the pleasure of staying at each one listed below.
Our essential criteria for a family hotel in Ireland include an indoor swimming pool, as my girls love swimming, and a location within walking distance of a town or village. All these hotels meet those requirements. And a great kids’ menu and a playground are delightful bonuses in our opinion!
So, let’s take a look, shall we? These are our favorite family-friendly hotels in Ireland.
1. Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny
We stayed at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny, next door to the famed Jurassic Newpark, for my daughter’s 5th birthday recently. And entrance to Jurassic Newpark is free with your room. And you can enter as many times as you like during your stay.
We paid 200 euros for a family room with free breakfast and free entry to the park. There’s also a swimming pool on-site, which we were able to use twice.
We dined at their on-site restaurant, Gulliver’s Restaurant, for dinner, and it was excellent, although it was very busy and we had to wait around 30 minutes for a table, so definitely book it in advance if you plan to dine here.
We were surprised by how much there is to do at Jurassic Newpark. And we got to do everything here. Now, we visited in September (a quieter time), so there were no queues or waiting times for things like Jurassic Bounce. And I’d imagine that in the summer it is very busy, so you may also be queuing for the train and the flying Pterosaurus ride.
The park is set across 25 acres, and there are 17 life-size, moving dinosaurs that you can spot as you walk along the paved trail here. You’ll see a T. rex, Velociraptor, Brachiosaurus, Sptimosaurus, and loads more that I can’t remember the name of.
2. Clonakilty Park Hotel, Cork
If you find yourself in West Cork and looking for a great place to stay as a family, then the Clonakilty Park Hotel is a great option. We actually live close to here and so visit it often.
It has a really family-friendly vibe and has lots of amenities to keep everyone happy. You can book a spacious family room or a self-catering apartment that feels just like home. There’s a large indoor swimming pool, gym, a cinema, and an indoor play zone.
For those with a taste for adventure, the Clonakilty Park Adventure Centre has awesome outdoor activities like high ropes, zip-lining, and climbing.
Plus, the hotel’s location makes it easy to explore nearby spots like the beautiful Inchydoney beaches and the lively town of Clonakilty. It’s the perfect base for a family trip full of fun and adventure!
BOOK your stay at Clonakilty Park Hotel here!
3. Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, Cork
Nestled along the scenic Wild Atlantic Way, the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery (around a 20-minute drive from Clonakilty) offers a welcoming atmosphere and a range of family-friendly amenities.
There are spacious family rooms, a leisure center with a swimming pool, and dining options that cater to all ages, including a dedicated children’s menu. The hotel’s proximity to local attractions such as Warren Beach, The Lagoon Activity Centre, Smugglers Cove, and the charming town of Rosscarbery makes it an excellent base for family adventures.
Plus, the hotel often organizes seasonal activities and events specifically designed for children.
BOOK the Celtic Ross Hotel here!
4. Hotel Killarney, Kerry
Hotel Killarney is a very popular hotel choice in Killarney. And it’s an excellent choice for families as it’s well-known for its warm hospitality and family-friendly amenities.
It offers a range of accommodations to suit families of all sizes, from spacious family rooms to self-catering apartments. Children can enjoy the fun-filled Kids Club, and there’s also a leisure center equipped with a swimming pool, gym, and spa facilities. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Killarney town and is near Killarney National Park, too.
BOOK your stay at Killarney Hotel here!
5. Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kerry
Within walking distance of lovely Kenmare town, the large Kenmare Bay Hotel boasts spacious family rooms and a range of amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, children’s play area, outdoor playground, and even babysitting services. We stayed here for two nights with family who were visiting from England, and we all really rated our stay.
BOOK your stay at Kenmare Bay Hotel!
6. Center Parcs, Longford
To be honest, we were hesitant to book Center Parcs as the price is high. But I’m so glad we went. As you’d expect, it’s very family-friendly, easy to walk around, has lots of great restaurants, and there’s loads to do. Would you believe there are over 100 activities on offer here? Activities like ziplining, archery, and kayaking tend to be the most popular things to do. For younger kids, the Off Road Explorers is a fun thing to do. We particularly loved the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, which is free.
Center Parcs Ireland is located in County Longford, pretty much in the heart of Ireland. This 394-acre resort is set within a gorgeous forest and features no less than 466 lodges. There’s a lake, a village centre where you’ll find the restaurants, stores, and supermarket, and loads of fun things to do. It’s also filled with lots of wildlife like deer, badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, and more. We actually saw several deer from our bedroom window every morning during our stay.
The cost to stay at Center Parcs Longford Forest varies depending on how long you want to stay for, what type of lodge you wish to book, and what time of year you wish to visit. For example, in the ‘off-season’, a 3-bedroom Woodland Lodge will cost you around €700 for 4 nights. But, when you consider you can access the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, the walks, the playgrounds, etc., free of charge, it’s not so bad.
FYI, it’s almost triple that amount in peak periods like the lead-up to Christmas and the summer holidays.
7. Hodson Bay Hotel, Westmeath
Hodson Bay Hotel, located in County Westmeath, Ireland, is an excellent choice for families seeking a welcoming and relaxing getaway. Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lough Ree, this hotel offers a variety of family-friendly amenities and activities. The spacious family rooms are designed to ensure comfort for all members, with easy access to the hotel’s leisure center, which features a swimming pool perfect for kids to splash around. For family dining, the hotel offers a range of options, including child-friendly menus that cater to younger palates.
The location itself (just outside of Athlone) is ideal for exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding area, with opportunities for outdoor adventures like cycling, walking trails, and even boat trips on the lake.
Some other highly recommended family hotels (that we haven’t had the chance to stay at yet) –
8. Amber Springs Hotel, Wexford
This hotel boasts spacious family rooms, an indoor play zone, an outdoor playground, and a petting farm, which are sure to keep the kiddies entertained. Meanwhile, parents can relax in the spa or unwind in the leisure club. The hotel also features a variety of dining options, with menus that cater to all tastes, including picky eaters.
9. Castleknock Hotel, Dublin
On the outskirts of Dublin, this family-friendly hotel offers a perfect blend of luxury and leisure. The spacious family rooms are thoughtfully designed, and there is a range of amenities to keep everyone entertained, like the indoor pool and outdoor play area. It’s also really close to Dublin Zoo, handy!
10. Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa, Wexford
For many in Ireland, the name “Kelly’s” evokes fond memories of sunny days playing crazy golf, wrinkled fingers from endless hours in the pool, trays of tiny cakes for afternoon tea, and dancing to the Birdie Song at the kids’ disco. Decades ago, this hotel set the benchmark for family vacations, and it continues to help its loyal clientele create new memories
Slainte!
I hope this guide has helped you narrow down a few hotels for your next family vacation in Ireland. And of course, I will add to this list as we stay at more awesome hotels around the country!
