If you’re staying in Ireland for the summer, you’re in luck as there are plenty of hotel packages on offer around the country. All we need now is the weather!
It’s very tempting to jump on a plane and take off for a long weekend but if you have to stay in Ireland – be it for family, work or other commitments – a staycation is a fabulous way to unwind.
And as we all know, if the sun is shining, there really is no better place to be than Ireland.
But just because it’s a staycation doesn’t mean it has to be boring or your average run-of-the-mill hotel stay. These Irish hotels are all offering specific types of getaways to cater for a variety of different personalities and activity levels.
Get to know Ireland better on a staycation with a twist; here are our top picks of the bunch.
Thermal Escape – Lough Eske, Co Donegal
Lough Eske is a true haven of tranquility and has a long list of enviable awards to its name to prove it. The Thermal Escape Package includes accommodation in a luxurious courtyard or deluxe room, a full Irish breakfast, a three course dinner in the award-winning Cedars Restaurant.
Relax with 50-minute access to the hot tubs with two glasses of chilled Prosecco, followed by an hour’s access to the thermal suite at the CARA Organic Beauty Spa.
Prices start from €469 Sunday to Friday and €525 Saturday night. See lougheskecastlehotel.ie for details.
Coastal Escape – Montenotte Hotel, Co Cork
If you fancy a trip around the stunning Cork coastline, we think this staycation is the one for you.
Guests of The Montenotte will be able to pair a two-night stay with a high-seas excursion on one of Ocean Escape’s state-of-the-art boats along the picturesque Irish coastline from Cork Harbour. You’ll stop off at a number of idyllic seaside towns and indulge in a delicious picnic, curated by executive chef, Rudi Liebenberg. You can then choose to unwind with a movie at the hotel’s in-house private cinema, make use of the health club and spa facilities or relax with a cocktail at the Montenotte’s rooftop bar, The Glasshouse. Sheer bliss.
Click here for details.
Switch off Sundays – Castleknock Hotel, Co Dublin
If Switch off Sundays aren’t a thing yet, they should be. And what better way to embrace the concept than by treating yourself to a quiet haven of comfort and luxury in Castleknock Hotel?
Switch off Sundays at Castleknock Hotel are available from €210 based on two people sharing and include an overnight stay with a complimentary upgrade (subject to availability), breakfast the next morning, Butlers chocolates on arrival, Sunday lunch at the new outdoor Earth & Vine patio, full use of Tonic Health Club’s heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi and a late check out on Monday morning. It’s the ultimate option for anyone looking to extend their weekend and completely relax over the coming busy months and we are here for it.
See castleknockhotel.com for more details.
Sea Dips & Hot Sips – Ballygally Castle, Co Antrim
This staycation is definitely one for the sea swimmer in your life!
Ballygally Castle on the Antrim coast is inviting water lovers to take advantage of the real beauty of the castle with a galvanising stay that combines a dip in the sea with hot sips. The package includes everything guests need for an adventurous and enjoyable stay including the use of the castle’s very own dry robes, hot water bottle, slippers, and a flask filled with a hot drink of their choice. In the morning, a wholesome full Irish breakfast awaits before setting off to explore the castle’s charm and the many beautiful sites along the Causeway Coastal Route. What’s not to love?
Sea Dips & Hot Sips costs from €265 for two people sharing. See ballygallycastlehotel.com for further details.
Twilight Rooftop Spa Experience – The Johnstown Estate, Co Meath
Imagine relaxing in bubbles, letting your worries wash away as you gaze up at the sky at twilight, contemplating how life is really just about being in the present moment. Sounds heavenly, right?
This two-hour thermal experience in the Johnstown Estate is €99 for two people and an ideal choice for couples. From 5pm-7pm or 6pm-8pm, you can relax in the hydrotherapy pool in the leafy oasis of the spa’s rooftop terrace before enjoying a selection of hot and cold therapies in the thermal suite. Afterwards, you’ll be treated to a Mediterranean sharing plate accompanied by a glass of wine or The Spa Café’s signature cocktails.
Visit thejohnstownestate.com for more information.
Pirate’s Adventure Staycation – Cork International Hotel, Co Cork
If you’re looking for a family staycation option with a dash of adventure thrown in, look no further than this fun-filled break at the Cork International Hotel!
It features a family pass to one of a number of pirate-themed attractions across Cork city and county – you can choose from a range of activities including visiting fortresses like Spike Island and Cork City Gaol.
The package consists of two nights in a family room, with breakfast included on both mornings and an Early Bird family dinner on one of the nights during the stay. Young guests will receive additional treats during their stay including pirate-themed workbooks and storybooks in their room as well as board games. Prices for the two-night stay start at €538 for a family of four. Click here for more information.
