20 Best Hotels in Connemara and County Mayo, Ireland

Creeper-covered, as if under a Sleeping Beauty spell, the gorgeous Victorian castle-manor of Abbeyglen sits framed by towering trees on a height above Clifden town—if time hasn't completely stopped here, it has certainly slowed down, but that's just the way the relaxed guests want it. Surrounded by gardens with waterfalls and streams, Abbeyglen was built in 1832 by John D'Arcy, the founder of Clifden. Inside, guest rooms vary in size and design, some with wooden floors, some with gas fireplaces, some with four-poster beds. Insist on a front room when booking if you enjoy great views. Even though it's a castle, it is also a fun place to stay, owned by the famously hospitable Hughes brothers, Paul and Brian. Complimentary afternoon tea is served in the bar, effortlessly giving way to evening drinks, and later the piano player strikes up. Beware Froda the parrot, who has the run of reception: she wolf-whistles, but she also bites.

Flamboyantly turreted, this famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece, dating from the 13th century, and rebuilt in 1870 for the Guinness family, has been wowing presidents and celebrities ever since. Nearly bigger than the entire neighboring village of Cong, it is strong on luxury and service, yet maintains a relaxed atmosphere in which guests of all ages feel totally at ease. Deluxe guest rooms have generous sitting areas, heavily carved antique furniture, open fireplaces, and extra-large, opulent bathrooms. Standard bedrooms in the discreetly added wing are smaller, with sumptuous soft furnishings, bespoke beds and carpets, and Victorian-style antiques with ostentatiously hued soft furnishings. The suites in the original castle building are vast, with double-height windows and Georgian antiques, and are blissfully comfortable. For something truly romantic, consider the Hideaway Cottage, a former boathouse on the shore of the lough with its own gated gardens and pier. Sample high Victorian style with afternoon tea in the splendidly ornate Connaught Room or pre-dinner drinks at The Prince of Wales Bar (named for the one who visited in the 1890s.) Choose between the formal George V dining room and the more relaxed atmosphere of Cullen's at the Cottage or The Dungeon. The 32-seat cinema has a family-oriented matinee, and films for grown-ups in the evening. Round off your day with a visit to the rooftop Cigar Terrace, with its unique lake views, accessed through the Billiard Room. Clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding, tree-climbing, ziplining, and the 9-hole golf course are complemented by a sparkling new spa and indoor pool. The riverbank has been landscaped to facilitate angling, but don't miss the chance to take a morning walk with a noble Irish wolfhound or with a hawk on your arm at the on-site School of Falconry.

The Lodge is Ashford Castle's fun and funky sister property on the Estate. Its bold and witty decor freely combines Warhol and hunting prints while some bedrooms are vast, with outdoor terraces on to the lake view, eclectic luxe decor, claw-foot tubs, and oversize furnishings. Wilde's Restaurant is a popular fine dining and special occasion venue, while the Quay Bar and Brasserie is a more informal venue, with a tapas menu.

More like a rambling country house than a castle, this magnificent crenellated mansion sits beside a river amid 700 wooded acres with a rugged mountain backdrop and has arguably the finest hotel setting in Ireland. Built in the 18th century, Ballynahinch Castle has had several colorful owners, from the legendary O'Flaherty chieftains and Grace O'Malley (the Pirate Queen of Connemara) to a maharajah and Richard Martin (the founder of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and, most recently, a media tycoon. While the property has retained its baronial, rustic charm, recent renovations to the 20 bedrooms in the original house, a soft makeover in public areas, a full reconstruction of the walled garden, and the addition of a Victorian glasshouse bring the property elegantly into the 21st century. The bedrooms in the two discreet ground-floor wings are huge, with four-poster beds and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river. Rooms in the original house are equally comfortable and quiet but not as big. Outdoor activities are a big draw here. Join a 2½-hour guided walk, which will introduce you to the history, archaeology, and ecology of the 700-acre estate, or book a half-day boat trip from Roundstone and haul a lobster pot en route to an uninhabited island. Clay shooting and cycling are also available, and the estate's fishing manager can advise you on the 5 km (3 miles) of private fly-fishing. Choose between fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere in the Owenmore restaurant (the best for miles around), with enchanting river views, and bar food in the characterful Fisherman's Pub, popular with locals.

In Westport's town center, this hotel welcomes guests with a traditional wooden facade but inside, a contemporary glass-roofed lobby becomes the centerpiece of a stylish modern interior decorated with original artwork. The current owners' parents opened the hotel in 1959, and it has been a well-loved Westport institution ever since. The Riverside Restaurant has formal dining, while Madden's Bistro remains a popular value eatery, with a busy local trade. Guest rooms are nicely decorated with cherrywood headboards backed by striking patterned fabrics. The back rooms are the quietest and have views of parkland and the river. Residents have free use of the public pool next door, and reception can arrange special rates for Westport House: ask when booking.

In the heart of what is arguably Connemara's most spectacular mountain and lake scenery, 13 km (8 miles) north of Leenane off R335, this historic Georgian sporting lodge heavily stocked with fishing paraphernalia has a lovely lakeside setting. Fishing is the main attraction, but guests also come for the peace and quiet, or like England's Prince Charles, to sketch the scenery. Victorian antique furniture, floral curtains, and wonderfully comfortable beds fill the bright, spacious bedrooms, some with lake views. TV presence is minimal: there's one in the snooker room. Guests dine together ($$$$) at a long oak table; there's an excellent wine list and a self-service bar. There are also cottages (one with TV), which require a three-day minimum stay.

An old town house in the lower, quieter part of Clifden has been extended and converted into a comfortable guesthouse with private parking. The town's bars and restaurants are only two minutes' walk away, yet there can be sheep grazing on a grassy enclosure across the road. Rooms are a good size, with hotel-like features including adjustable radiators, swagged floral curtains, and efficient showers. Help yourself to tea and coffee in the residents' lounge, a good place to compare notes with fellow travelers. The breakfast room has a pine floor and white damask cloths, and the homemade bread is accompanied by homemade jams.

Close to the coast on the edge of Ballycroy National Park, this brand-new low-rise hotel has surprisingly luxurious rooms and furnishings despite its modest architecture and location in the cusp of Mayo's wilderness. The Nephin Restaurant offers gorgeous views to accompany the simple and well-priced menu, and the rooms are tastefully furnished---and, given there's little else in the area, the silent night's sleep is on the house. This hotel offers an excellent overnight opportunity for travelers along the Wild Atlantic Way or for Ballycroy hikers.   

In the heart of the picturesque village of Roundstone, this slim town house offers large, well-appointed rooms, with Bertraghboy Bay, Inis Rí island, and the Twelve Bens views, a full Irish breakfast, and a guest-only lounge for an edge on other local offerings. Ask for a bay side room that overlooks the ocean, or if you're looking for more privacy, ask for details of the self-catering Abby's Cottage, a stunning stone finished house that's also in the heart of Roundstone.

Built in the 1790s at the entrance to Leenane village as a coaching inn, this hotel is only separated from Killary Fjord by the main road. Nearly all the bedrooms have a magical view, and it is worth waking at first light to savor the fjord in the early-morning mist. You may have to share that view, as this is a popular touring base among both Irish and overseas visitors, with its busy bar and a pleasantly old-fashioned hotel restaurant serving a three-course dinner. Local rack of Connemara lamb and salmon from the fjord usually feature on the menu. The residents' lounge recalls a previous era, with its assorted shabby-chic chairs and sofas. The biggest treat here, especially after a day in the open, is the seaweed baths (also bookable by non-guests), in which you share a tub of heated saltwater with a bucket full of freshly picked seaweed. The bigger guest rooms are in the newest wing.

Check the website for good dinner-B&B deals.

About 19 km (12 miles) south of Killala and set in a 100-acre estate between Ballina and Foxford, this baronial 1876 cut-stone house is the centerpiece of a family-owned property with 45 luxury self-catering houses, a lake and river fishery, indoor pool, and spa. Children enjoy the abundant wildlife, including tame ducks and rabbits, and a forest playground, while golfers can sharpen their game on the driving range. Suites in the original house are characterful and luxurious, with high-ceilinged rooms featuring splendid Victorian antiques, marble fireplaces, and original floorboards and shutters. Rooms in the new wing have extra-large bathrooms with tub, shower, and double vanity units, and lovely views of the wooded estate (197 tree species counted so far). The Kitchen restaurant in the original kitchen and pantry is highly reputed for the French chef's stylish presentation of fresh local produce and has a rustic charm that contrasts with the plush club-style of the bar, where bar food is served as an informal option. Afternoon tea beside a blazing fire in the restful lounge is a popular winter option. Staff are expertly trained, and provide a warm West-of-Ireland welcome. Packages featuring angling or golfing itineraries are a specialty, while the spa and leisure center provides an all-weather retreat. There is a two-night minimum stay policy in July and August.

Perched on a cliff overlooking a vast, sandy beach on the northern side of Clew Bay, 25 minutes' drive from Westport, this is one of Ireland's best-loved "bucket and spade" hotels, built in 1897 for holidaymakers arriving by train. The railway line is now the cycling and walking route known as the Great Western Greenway, which leads to Achill Island, 14 km (9 miles) to the east. The hotel retains a certain grandeur in the large scale of its bar and restaurant, with an extensive sun terrace facing the sea, and is as popular as ever with Irish families, as well as walkers and honeymooners. Choose between excellent bar food ($) and the acclaimed fine-dining experience in the more formal Nephin Restaurant ($$$). The staff are warm and enthusiastic, and full of useful touring tips.

For a small supplement you can stay up under the eaves in the retro John Lennon Suite, where he and Yoko Ono spent a long weekend in 1968.

There is a 20-meter (65-foot) indoor pool with an outdoor hot tub, while the lobby and lounge have open turf fires and inviting sofas.

A lake at its front door, the Atlantic Ocean at the back, and the mountains of Connemara as a backdrop form the enthralling setting for this hotel 8 km (5 miles) north of Letterfrack, home to the Long Room, one of the most eminently civilized salons in Ireland—Arts and Crafts–style polished wood, original art, and red geraniums. Once the retreat of that noted Irish man of letters, Oliver St. John Gogarty of Dublin (on whom James Joyce modeled Buck Mulligan in Ulysses), Renvyle is rustic and informal; it has exposed beams and brickwork, and numerous open turf fires. Ireland's poet--president, Michael D. Higgins continues the literary tradition by taking his annual break here. Chef Tim O'Sullivan is outstanding and deservedly a local celebrity, with his own cookbook and artisanal food line. The comfortable guest rooms, plainly decorated in an uncluttered style, in shades of beige and cream, all have breathtaking views.

This pink, creeper-clad, two-story Georgian house occupies 30 lovely acres and has a jaw-dropping view: a gorgeous lawn backdropped by Ballinakill Bay and the dreamy mountains of Connemara. Inside, the grandfather clock in the hall flanked by framed family portraits and hunting prints sets the informal, country-house tone. The Conservatory Bar is an elegant, light-filled spot with rattan bucket chairs and octagonal marble and cast-iron tables, while the drawing room is decorated in low-key shades. Well-used antiques, four-poster or large brass bedsteads, and sumptuous drapes decorate the solidly comfortable and impeccably kept bedrooms. The best rooms are at the front on the first floor, overlooking the bay. At dinner in the superb restaurant, Killary lobster with seasonal leaves and lemon herb butter is one of the tastiest entrées.

Built by James Edward Jackson, land agent for Lord Iveagh at Ashford Castle, this well-off-the-beaten-path, white-trim Georgian house, managed by the enthusiastic Henry and Elaine Reid, has a surprisingly stylish interior, with 19th-century antiques and welcoming open fires. Surrounded by 5 acres of colorful gardens, this country hideaway sits near a stream. Guest rooms above the converted stables are simpler and smaller than those in the suavely furnished house, but all have peaceful garden views and 20-inch flat-screen TVs, should you feel the need.

With framed fishing ties and specimen fish given pride of place on the lobby wall, you know you are in a hostelry favored by anglers. But you don't have to be a fisherman to recognize that Ryan's—a clean and comfortable, affordably priced, and totally frills-free hotel—is a total catch. Guest rooms above the pub and bistro are mostly sunny, reasonably sized for the price, and simply decorated with white furniture, plain walls and carpets, and colorful quilted bedspreads. The staff are friendly and informal, and you can hone your dart-playing skills in the lively Crowe's Nest Pub, which has live music year-round. It even has its own bus stop.

Constructed in 1853, this former coast guard station and convent has a stunning waterside location looking across a wide bay to local landmark Downpatrick Head. The ever-changing sea views can be enjoyed from the 100-foot-long conservatory that runs the length of the front of the building. Furnished with low-key antiques and comfortable leather armchairs, it is the perfect place for idle days and evening aperitifs. Owner--chef Frances McSweeney prepares a menu of the freshest local produce at dinner, with an emphasis on local fish and meat, and cooks an outstanding breakfast to order. Rooms are elegant, uncluttered and spacious, with power showers, finest cotton towels, and blackout curtains to ensure a comfortable sleep on long summer nights. Frances, who grew up here before spending 20 years in the United States, is a fount of local lore. She and her late husband took two years to renovate the imposing property from a near-ruin, and she combines an attention to detail with stylish design, high standard of comfort, and a warm welcome.

The quirky, modern-boutique-hotel hallmarks and Baroque color scheme are a little at odds with the town's otherwise plain offerings, but the focus on idiosyncratic style here does not in any way divert attention from comfort. High-pressure showers, large bathrooms, varnished floorboards, and clean linen ensure a comfortable stay right in the town center. As a nod to its location on the Wild Atlantic Way, there's a drying room for those who embrace the great outdoors and need a place to hang their raincoats, galoshes, or fishing rods. The hotel also has the best food on the peninsula, with cooked-to-order breakfast and hearty, home-baked apple pie later in the evening.

A white Victorian house set on the exquisite grounds of Ashford Castle and overlooking Lough Corrib, the Lodge is Ashford Castle's fun and funky sister property, its bold and witty decor freely combining Warhol and hunting prints, more like a pal's mildly eccentric home than a hotel. Windows open wide to the famous Connemara air, while huge sofas, well-stocked bookcases, and open fires invite you to linger and relax. The best bedrooms are vast, with outdoor terraces on to the lake view, eclectic luxe decor, claw-foot tubs, and oversize furnishings. Wilde's Restaurant is a popular fine dining and special occasion venue, while the Quay Bar and Brasserie is a more informal venue, with a tapas menu.

Arrange a tour of the castle or book a meal if you wish to experience the castle during your stay.

Nineteenth-century time travelers would feel right at home in this three-story, town-center Georgian house, Clifden's oldest building (1820) that once housed the harbormaster. The ancestral portraits, mounted fish, Victorian engravings, and cosseting fabrics all lend a frozen-in-amber allure. It's made all the more homey by touches like model boats and, alas, a few too many animal-skin rugs. A roaring turf fire in the living room greets you as you enter the burnished breakfast room, while the nearby terrace has been gloriously sheathed in glass for a conservatory feel. The peaceful setting by the harbor quay ensures a good night's sleep and the guest rooms are unusually spacious; those in the main house are imaginatively decorated with deep-color walls and wonderful period accents; all but two have sea views. There's also a new wing with seven studio rooms with balconies overlooking the harbor.

With all the hallmarks of Ireland's Celtic Tiger boom time, this swish and stylish boutique hotel has a vast marble lobby with a double-sided gas fire and huge guest rooms with over-sized, veneered, Art Deco–style furniture and bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and modern showers. This may not be what you've come to the West of Ireland to experience, but there's plenty to enjoy about it. It's part of a large new complex in the town center, and shares leisure facilities with its more traditional sister hotel, the Castlecourt. The best bedrooms overlook a Zen-like inner roof garden, while others have balconies perched over the fountain and ground-floor courtyard.