finding and booking hotels/b&b's
Apr 7th, 2003, 02:16 PM
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finding and booking hotels/b&b's
We are going to Ireland for 2 weeks in May. We will drive south from Shannon, amble toward Dublin, spend a couple of nights there, then head west in time to make flight home.
I DESPERATELY need help in finding affordable hotels/b&b's. Is there a central website? A travel agent? Our idea is to spend 2 nights at most places, 3 if the establishment is particularly nice and if there is lots to do/see nearby. We are interested in historic sites/castles/gardens/views. We are an older couple (51 and 69). We are looking for good values and our budget is limited.
Thank you all so much
Ellen C.
I DESPERATELY need help in finding affordable hotels/b&b's. Is there a central website? A travel agent? Our idea is to spend 2 nights at most places, 3 if the establishment is particularly nice and if there is lots to do/see nearby. We are interested in historic sites/castles/gardens/views. We are an older couple (51 and 69). We are looking for good values and our budget is limited.
Thank you all so much
Ellen C.
Apr 7th, 2003, 02:26 PM
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Apr 7th, 2003, 09:12 PM
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Probably the largest listing of B&Bs in Ireland is Town and Country.
http://www.townandcountry.ie/ They list aprox. prices and you can email the individual B&Bs They make no attempt to rate them, though some of them will list AA ratings or other guides. Oddly, the AA rating doesn't seem to effect the price much, and for the most part, the rating is fairly reliable. There are lots of others and the prices will vary.
Unless you have some package deal, vouchers are usually not a good deal for either you or the B&B. They will limit your choices and virtually everyone that I have talked to that has traveled with and without vouchers, will not use vouchers again. I used them once in England and could have saved 10-15 pounds per night each time. So far, partially because I don't live near a major Aer Lingus hub, I've always done better than what any package deal could offer.
One other very good option is to visit irelandyes.com Michele publishes a book that is considered essential for any 1st time traveler. I've been a few times and have found valuable information in her books. She has some very lengthy reviews of the B&Bs she favors and if she likes them, they tend to be quite good. She runs a message board and will happily answer your questions even if you don't by the book (but you probably should). You'll find her fans are quite rabid in their support of her, and rightly so. She's a very nice woman to work with.
Another similar site is Pat Preston's irelandexpert.com. I don't know her site as well, but she has some good offerings and also sells the Ireland at a glimpse book for real cheap. Both sites have an excellent links list including accommodations.
Bill
http://www.townandcountry.ie/ They list aprox. prices and you can email the individual B&Bs They make no attempt to rate them, though some of them will list AA ratings or other guides. Oddly, the AA rating doesn't seem to effect the price much, and for the most part, the rating is fairly reliable. There are lots of others and the prices will vary.
Unless you have some package deal, vouchers are usually not a good deal for either you or the B&B. They will limit your choices and virtually everyone that I have talked to that has traveled with and without vouchers, will not use vouchers again. I used them once in England and could have saved 10-15 pounds per night each time. So far, partially because I don't live near a major Aer Lingus hub, I've always done better than what any package deal could offer.
One other very good option is to visit irelandyes.com Michele publishes a book that is considered essential for any 1st time traveler. I've been a few times and have found valuable information in her books. She has some very lengthy reviews of the B&Bs she favors and if she likes them, they tend to be quite good. She runs a message board and will happily answer your questions even if you don't by the book (but you probably should). You'll find her fans are quite rabid in their support of her, and rightly so. She's a very nice woman to work with.
Another similar site is Pat Preston's irelandexpert.com. I don't know her site as well, but she has some good offerings and also sells the Ireland at a glimpse book for real cheap. Both sites have an excellent links list including accommodations.
Bill
Apr 8th, 2003, 06:08 AM
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I have been using www.townandcountry.ie and also www.bedandbreakfastireland.net. Another good one is www.stayinireland.com. The irelandyes.com website is also very good for suggestions! As well as Fodors, of course!
Apr 8th, 2003, 06:28 AM
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Ellen, this is all good advice. I will only add that you will need to book Dublin as quickly as possible because believe it or not accommodations will not be easy to find the closer you get to your trip. Enjoy and check out the above mentioned websites, ask questions and get some type of guidebook.
Apr 8th, 2003, 06:30 AM
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May is way outside the peak holiday season. If you are driving, you will see B&B signs everywhere, or you can book through a tourist office. The tourist offices book B&Bs that are registered with them, and they can book places anywhere in Ireland - the tourist office in, say, Cork can book a B&B in Galway. Most B&Bs rely on the passing trade and the roads approaching towns and cities are lined with houses displaying B&B signs, and offering accommodation at reasonable prices. You do not need to worry about finding accommodation or about fixing an itinerary in advance.
Apr 8th, 2003, 02:12 PM
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I understand that you have to pay a bit extra to book your room through the tourist board. You can get the T&C book from them though or pick it up at a B&B when you get there.
Dublin will be much more expensive than the rest of the country and Keenan is exactly right about booking now. If your plans include the first weekend in May, that is a VERY busy weekend and you should probably book in advance.
It is true that you won't need reservations for most of May, but it is a good idea to have a guide in your hand to choose from. You don't want to spend valuable time going around and around trying to find the most affordable place to stay.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Dublin will be much more expensive than the rest of the country and Keenan is exactly right about booking now. If your plans include the first weekend in May, that is a VERY busy weekend and you should probably book in advance.
It is true that you won't need reservations for most of May, but it is a good idea to have a guide in your hand to choose from. You don't want to spend valuable time going around and around trying to find the most affordable place to stay.
Hope this helps.
Bill
