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For accommodations, the Southwest has some of the great country houses, including Adare Manor in County Limerick; Kenmare's unique duo of the magnificent Sheen Falls Lodge and the stately Park Hotel; the Cahernane House, which recalls Killarney's Victorian heyday; and finally the rambling landmark resort, the Parknasilla Resort in Sneem, a great place for a family break. At the other end of the spectrum is the uniquely Irish experience of a farmhouse bed-and-breakfast, such as Lakelands Farm Guesthouse in Waterville, with rowboats bobbing on Lough Currane at the bottom of the garden. In between is a range of excellent family-owned and -run traditional hotels, such as the Brook Lane Hotel in Kenmare, the Butler Arms in Waterville, and the secluded Carrig Country House at Glenbeigh near Killorglin.
More like a modern boutique hotel than a B&B, the combination of comfort and elegance in the lobby sets the tone, as do the wonderful views of the town and harbor. Family-run since 1977, guest rooms are spacious, with well-appointed bathrooms; beige carpets blend in with pale oak country furniture and crisp white bed linen, and there are sofas and armchairs angled to enjoy the spectacular sunset over Dingle Harbor.
This is the small country hotel of your dreams: a Victorian yellow-stucco jewel set atop a small hill overlooking Ballingarry, a village that time forgot, deep in rural Ireland, yet only 13 km (8 miles) southwest of Adare. And if you take the trouble of getting off the beaten tourist trail here, you'll be rewarded by being pampered. What was once the parish priest's imposing house has been decorated with flair and wit, placing Chinese inlaid lacquer cabinets and Georgian satinwood wardrobes in the beautifully furnished bedrooms. But for all its finery, this is a fun, down-to-earth place. Much of the food served in the restaurant is produced in the 7 acres of gardens, so the kids can have fun collecting eggs for tomorrow's breakfast.
This thin sliver of Bedford Row is in a quiet area in Limerick, while being in the very heart of the city. Formerly a clothing factory, it has been lovingly, albeit slightly quirkily, refurbished into an intimate city retreat in the middle of a pedestrianized street, close to high-street shopping and restaurants. Rooms are modern chic with good tech facilities and there's a small gym and café on-site.
On the Slea Head edge of Dingle Town, but just a short walk to the center, this traditional-style yellow house is right on the water's edge. The spacious lobby has a gas fire and large couches looking out to sea through the bay windows. All guest rooms are individually styled, with marble bathrooms, reproduction classic French-style antique furniture, plush carpets, flat-screen TVs, and waffle robes. Junior suites and deluxe rooms have extra space, and the best sea views. Breakfast is a major event here, with an extensive buffet preceding the traditional fry.
