| Choosing
accommodation for your stay in Ireland can be tricky. Visitors
are faced with a host of options, from top-notch hotels in
old castles to hostels in dark back alleys, from modern apartments
to gypsy caravans. And then there is always the famed Irish
B&B (short for Bed & Breakfast) ... the choice is
yours, but what should you consider?
Bed & Breakfast (B&B) is the great
Irish tradition of staying for a night or two in a private
house. You will get a room and a breakfast in the morning,
all in fairly close contact with the hosts. Though this is
in no way a "stay as a family guest" you will still
meet family members (and pets), getting a glimpse of Irish
life.
What can you expect from a B&B then?
Your room will be furnished with a bed, a wardrobe and maybe
chest of drawers, usually a chair can be found as well. If
the accommodation is en-suite you will have an adjoining private
bathroom - otherwise you may have to share.
Most B&Bs will have a small tray with
a water kettle, tea and instant coffee. Likewise a TV in the
room is becoming the norm (though you may only receive three
channels). Small comforts all and all, but comfortable most
of the time. All rooms should come with extra blankets for
cold nights and towels.
Guesthouses are somewhere between large B&Bs
and Hotels with more anonymity than the former and less sleek
professionalism than the last. Room comfort is comparable
to B&Bs and service to small hotels.
Hotels obviously come in all shapes and sizes
and a general rating is impossible. From converted Georgian
houses in Dublin to purpose-built structures in the suburbs,
from former farmhouses to international chains you will find
everything.
One general rule to bear in mind is room size
- the older or more "traditional" a hotel is, the
smaller the rooms are likely to be. Conditions in smaller
hotels can be cramped. The more modern hotels will usually
have larger rooms.
At the top end of the scale are country hotels
and castles, sometimes having their own world-class golf courses,
famed chefs and spa facilities. Ireland is dotted with these
exclusive resorts, Dromoland Castle in County Clare even being
used for state visits. What to look out for here are package
deals - a few nights accommodation, a multi-course dinner
plus spa and green fees can make for an attractive bargain.
Hostels are on the opposite end of the spectrum
to country hotels.
With the increasing number of budget tourists
touring Ireland budget accommodation mushroomed in this form.
Old buildings were converted into basic rooms sleeping up
to eight or twelve people, sharing bathrooms and small kitchens.
Pitching your own tent can be a cost-saving
exercise and will make you independent from most restraints.
It can also be wet and miserable. Ireland by its very nature
is not ideal camping country. Rain and strong winds can make
an overnight stay come to a surprising end. On the other hand
you won’t experience Ireland any closer.
Renting a flat or a cottage on a weekly basis
is quite popular for vacationers who want to spend quality
time with friends or family in one area of Ireland. From modern
apartment complexes to renovated old cottages all sorts of
self-catering accommodation is on offer. Here you can really
make your home away from home!
While having a number of advantages, rental
cottages or apartments have the disadvantage of tying you
down. The normal rental period of a week means that you will
spend t is week within driving distance of your accommodation.
Which can be fine if you plan to stay locally for your daytrips
anyway.
But especially cottages can be in remote places.
Important advice is to get the exact location of the cottage
before booking to determinate the driving times involved for
your agenda - being stuck on an isolated peninsula with only
a long and winding road leading to it puts a damper on all
of us.
10
Things to Know About Ireland |
What
Makes Ireland a Perfect Tourist Destination |
Experience
Heavenly Feasting in Ireland |
The
Garden House | Sandycove
Beach Villas, West Cork |
What
to Expect and What to Consider |
