Five Star hotels and kids don’t always go together, but I found three luxury family hotel breaks in Ireland that managed to tick all boxes.
Fota Island Resort
One of our family favourites, we have visited Fota Island Resort on a many occasions. While the hotel is perhaps not as luxurious as some of the others on this list, the hotel facilities and the on site self catering lodges are superb for families. We stayed in one of the new three bedroom Fushia lodges last year and loved it. Not only were they very spacious, but the modern interiors were some of the best I have seen. The children were able to play in the large back garden and we even had some resident rabbits join us each morning for breakfast! The hotel has a large outdoor playground, an indoor pool and a kids playroom. There are also lots of kids Camps to choose from during school holidays. Camp Fota (€10 per session) operates for 4 – 12 year olds with indoor and out door games in their own dedicated kids lodge. There are also golf camps and an adrenaline adventure centre (age 8+ ) with kayaking, bush craft and lots more (€20 per session). The restaurant has supervised kids buffets at 6.30pm followed by movie nights and quizzes so parents can even have a date night!
The magnificent golf lodges at Fota Island Resort, Co Cork
Posted by The Travel Expert on Saturday, June 3, 2017
We also stayed in the hotel rooms at Christmas time when we were lucky to see the Fota Beyond Christmas experience. This is one of Ireland’s best Santa Experiences and one I would highly recommend. The dark furnishings in the hotel lend itself perfectly to the festive period. With warm fires and lavish decorations, this is a great time to visit. All children also receive a large teddy bear in their room, Bea, which soon became our new family pet!
One of the advantages of staying in Fota Island Resort is its close proximity to Fota Wildlife Park. To witness many animals including kangaroos and lemurs roaming free is something that my kids loved and is a superb family day out. Fota Wildlife Park also runs a Summer camp for children aged 4 and above, that focuses on the importance of animal conservation through five themed days. Fota Island Resort is also very close to Cobh where you can take the Titanic experience tour, or take the boat trip to spooky Spike Island, to explore the fortress that once held 2300 prisoners. For more details on Fota Island Resort, read my review here.
Prices:
3 Bedroom lodges, suitable for 2 adults and 3 children from €179 per night based on a 3 night stay. Visit FotaIsland.ie
Castle Leslie
One of my favourite hotels in Ireland, Castle Leslie is not like a traditional hotel. The Leslie family still live here at times during the year and the hotel even closes at Christmas time for a large family get together. The minute you enter the hotel you get the sense that you are visiting someone’s home. Although it is less grand than Ashford or Dromoland Castle, it has a relaxed, cosy atmosphere that is extremely inviting. The grounds are spectacular with plenty of activities available for guests. While it doesn’t have a swimming pool, it makes up for this by having one of Europe’s finest equestrian centres and one of Ireland’s best preserved lakes for fishing. You can also try kayaking, clay pigeon shooting or even take a hot air balloon ride.
The lodges are located in the village of Glaslough, about five minutes walk from the Lodge at Castle Leslie. These four and five bedroom spaces lodges are more like luxury town houses. All have open fires, nine foot ceilings, are lavishly furnished and cater for 8 – 10 people. They are located only a few minutes walk from the village of Glaslough and the Lodge at Castle Leslie, and about ten minutes from the Castle. For more details on Castle Leslie, read my blog here.
Posted by The Travel Expert on Wednesday, August 16, 2017
The village of Glaslough is an attraction in itself, with quaint shops and family friendly pub in the centre. Makes sure you pop in to Ambledown Cottage for some great pizza in a beautiful, albeit quirky setting. Another must do is a visit to nearby Lake Muckno. Located in Castleblaney, this lake is undoubtedly Monaghan’s finest, with spectacular scenery from all sides. Take the time to do the Black Island walk. Enjoy the forest trails with fairy doors and Wilbert’s adventure playground. Don’t miss Muckno Adventure Centre, we tried kayaking and loved it! The water was so calm, it was even suitable for small children. You can wakeboard, waterski or take a boat out on the lake and prices are very reasonable. For more information on Muckno Adventure centre click here.
Prices:
2 nights from €700 at the Old Stable Mews and €900 in the Village Cottages, based on a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children and 2 adults and 4 children respectively. Price includes a full Irish breakfast each morning in Snaffles Restaurant, family treats such as beer & wine for the adults and ice-cream, popcorn and chocolates for the children. They have a selection of family movies for the perfect family night in, and a 3 course family meal in Conor’s Bar on an evening of choice. Visit Castle Leslie.com
Lough Erne Resort
Northern Ireland’s hotel of the year in 2017, this luxury hotel is situated on a 600 acre peninsula overlooking two championship golf courses and lower Lough Erne lake. The lodges are a huge attraction, with conical roofs that look straight out a fairytale. The food at the hotel is superb and there are are lots of options to choose from, with a fine dining restaurant, a Loughside Bar and Grill as well as some tasty bar food. The large indoor pool allows for family swims from 8am – 11am and 4.30pm-530pm. There is also an unsupervised play room, Ernies Den, with table football, air hockey and lots more. For more information on Lough Erne Resort read my blog.
There are some excellent walks around the hotel golf course with stunning views over the lakes. There are also more arduous walks close by, the famous Stairway to Heaven boardwalk at Culcaigh Mountain, being one of them. This is more suited to older children as it is a 15km round trip with 450 steps! A popular spot for social media enthusiasts, no doubt teenagers will enjoy taking selfies at the top! Marble Arch Caves and Lough Navar Forest Park are also close by as well as Corralea activity centre. The town of Enniskillen is only 5 minutes drive from Lough Erne if you fancy a change of scene. Make sure you pop into Francos for some good food in family friendly surroundings.
Prices:
Easter Family package from £306 per night based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing. Price includes two nights luxury accommodation in a two bedroom lodge (midweek), a three course meal at the luxury The Loughside Bar and Grill on the evening of your choice, breakfast each am by Noel McMeel and culinary team and complimentary 1 hour cruise on the Lough with LER Winter Taxi. Available 26th March – 5th April. Visit Lough Erne Resort.
Like holidays in Ireland? Read more here.
Sarah
