Ireland does accommodation like nowhere else. There's a particular warmth to an Irish welcome — tús maith, leath na hoibre, as they say, a good start is half the work. Whether you're after a stone-walled cottage with a peat fire and no Wi-Fi, or a Michelin-starred castle hotel with four-poster beds, Ireland has it, and usually at better value than you'd expect.
This guide covers every option: what to expect, what you'll pay, and how to choose based on where you're headed. Use the Accommodation Finder on the right to get a personalised recommendation based on your region, group size, and budget.
Types of Accommodation
Know before you bookBed & Breakfasts
The heartbeat of Irish hospitality. Family-run, always personal, and the full Irish breakfast alone is worth the stay. Prices from around €60–€120 per room per night.
Castle & Country Hotels
Ireland has more castle hotels per square mile than almost anywhere. Dromoland, Ashford, Ballynahinch — a splurge you won't forget. From €250/night upwards.
Self-Catering Cottages
Perfect for families and longer stays. Stone cottages, converted farm buildings, waterfront retreats. Daft.ie and Airbnb have extensive options, as does IrishCottageHolidays.com.
Glamping & Eco Stays
Geodomes under the Milky Way in Connemara. Luxury bell tents in Kerry. Treehouse pods in Wicklow. Ireland's glamping scene has grown enormously — and the skies are worth it.
Guesthouses & Townhouses
Bigger than a B&B, more personal than a hotel. Often in restored Georgian or Victorian townhouses — particularly good in Cork, Galway and Kilkenny. A sweet spot for solo travellers.
Hostels & Budget Stays
Dublin, Galway and Killarney have excellent independent hostels — much better than the chains. Budget around €25–€45 for a dorm bed; €70–€100 for a private room in a good hostel.
Where to Stay by Region
Ireland area by area☘ Insider Tips for Staying in Ireland
- Book summer early. July and August — and any bank holiday weekend — fill up months in advance, especially in Kerry, Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way corridor.
- Always check the breakfast. A full Irish breakfast at a good B&B can replace lunch and is often included. Scrambled eggs and cold toast at a chain hotel is not the same experience.
- Ask about parking before city stays. Dublin and Cork city centres have very limited and expensive on-street parking. Many hotels charge separately.
- The currency changes at the border. Northern Ireland uses pound sterling (£), the Republic uses euro (€). Cross-border stays require both or a card that handles both without fees.
- Farmhouse stays are underrated. Some of the warmest and most memorable nights in Ireland are spent on working farms in places like Tipperary, Roscommon and Cavan — well off the tourist trail.
- Mid-week is always cheaper. Especially in city hotels. Sunday to Thursday you can often save 20–30% versus Friday/Saturday rates.
Where to Book
Our recommended booking partnersBooking.com
Hotels & B&BsThe widest selection for hotels, guesthouses and city B&Bs in Ireland. Free cancellation filters are useful for flexible planning.
Search Booking.com ✦ →Airbnb
Cottages & UniqueBest for self-catering cottages, rural retreats and unique stays. Strong on coastal and countryside properties throughout Ireland.
Search Airbnb ✦ →IrishCottageHolidays
Self-CateringIreland's specialist self-catering site — exclusively Irish properties. Excellent for traditional stone cottages and rural farmhouses.
Browse cottages →Hotels.com
HotelsGood for collecting rewards nights. Strong on mid-range and business hotels in Dublin, Cork and Galway city centres.
Search Hotels.com ✦ →Links marked ✦ are affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend services we'd use ourselves.