Hotels
Stately country houses, luxurious
castles, intimate old-world inns and modern
premises are all included in this category. All
hotels comply with statutory registration
regulations which cover physical requirements and
the level of service provided. Most hotels welcome
children. Hotels carrying the Family Friendly
symbol meet the particular needs of children,
providing playgrounds, playroom, special menus,
mealtimes, etc. Meals and refreshments must be
available to non-residents.
Hotel Classification
Irish hotels and guesthouses are
classified under the star classification. Devised
by Bord Failte-Irish Tourist Board and the Irish
Hotels Federation, the classification system makes
it easier for visitors to evaluate and choose the
hotel and guesthouse of their choice. Each hotel
and guesthouse has a distinct character and range
of facilities. Details on the style and services
unique to each premises are listed in the
accommodation listings.
Hotel classification
descriptions
The following are the hotel classification
descriptions:
Five Star
These include Ireland’s most
luxurious hotels, all of which are of high
international standards. They range from elegant,
stately castles to prestigious country clubs and
top class city hotels catering for both the
business and tourist. All guest accommodation is
luxurious and spacious suites are available. These
fine hotels boast some of the country’s best
restaurants and offer table d’hôte and/or a la
carte lunch and dinner menus. Exceptional service
and a personalised welcome are the norm in these
hotels.
Four Star
These include contemporary hotels
of excellent quality and charming period houses
renovated to a very high standards complete with
all modern comforts. All guest accommodation is of
high standard and half suites are usually
available. Restaurant facilities provide excellent
cuisine and service for the discerning diner.
Table d’hôte and/or a la carte lunch and dinner
menus are available.
Three Star
These range from small,
family-operated premises to larger, modern hotels.
Guest rooms are well decorated with the emphasis
on comfort and all have private bathrooms with a
bath and/or shower.
Restaurants offer high standards of cuisine in
relaxed and hospitable surroundings. Table d’hôte
and/or a la carte dinner menus are available.
These hotels offer a range of services making them
ideal for the cost-conscious traveler seeking
comfort.
Two Star
These are more likely to be
family-operated premises, selected for their charm
and their comfortable facilities. All guest rooms
have a telephone and most have a private bathroom
with a bath and/or shower. Full dining facilities
are available, representing excellent value and
good wholesome food.
One Star
Here you can enjoy the comforts of
a pleasantly simple hotel where a warm welcome
prevails. These premises offer all the mandatory
services and facilities to a satisfactory
standard, necessary for a most enjoyable and
relaxed visit. Some great rooms have a private
bathroom with a bath and/or shower.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses vary from five-bedroomed
family houses, Georgian and Victorian residences
to larger professionally-serviced modern premises.
The informal atmosphere and personal attention are
of features of this category. The availability of
meals to non-residents is not a requirement;
however, some provide this service. All
guesthouses comply with statutory regulations
which cover physical requirements and the level of
service provided. Restaurant facilities are
available in some guesthouses.
Guesthouse classification
descriptions
Four Star
This is the top classification for
guesthouses in Ireland. Guest accommodation
includes half suites and all guest rooms have
private bathrooms with bath and/or shower, direct
dial telephone, and colour TV and radio
controllable from the bed. Room service offers
full breakfast. Facilities include car parking,
safety deposit boxes, fax, newspapers, and
baby-sitting service.
Three Star
All guest rooms have private
bathroom with bath and/or shower, and direct dial
telephone. Room service offers breakfast.
Facilities include a TV lounge; travelers cheques
and at least two major credit cards are accepted.
Two Star
Half or more of the guest rooms
have private bathroom with bath and/or shower.
Facilities include a reading/writing room or
lounge area for resident’s use.
One Star
These premises meet all the
mandatory requirements for guesthouses and offer
simple accommodation, facilities and services to a
satisfactory standard.
Farmhouses
The premises in this category
include old-style, period type, and modern
farmhouses; the type of farming varies- mixed,
tillage, dairy, sheep and poultry- all of interest
to visitors, particularly if they come from the
city. Evening meals are provided in some houses if
notice is given before 12.00 noon each day. A new
concept called Green Tourism, i.e. a holiday
experience on a working farm, is also included
this category of accommodation. Irish Farm
Holidays Association is the representative body
for these premises and further information may be
obtained by contacting:
Hostels
Hostels provide clean, simple
accommodation at a budget price, several with
family rooms. They are ideally suited to the
holiday-maker seeking a real alternative to
conventional accommodation. The kitchen and common
room often provide an international setting for
socialising and meeting other hostellers from all
over the world.
Youth Hostels ; An Oige (Irish Youth Hostel
Association) has a chain of 37 registered Youth
Hostels situated in most of the scenic areas of
Ireland. These hostels provide simple multi-bedded
rooms with comfortable beds and facilities for
cooking one’s own meals. Members of An Oige or
other youth organisations affiliated to the
International Youth Hostel Federation may use the
hostels on production of their membership cards
and non-members may buy stamps at the hostels
entitling them to use the hostels.
Caravan and Camping Parks
Caravan and Camping parks are
categorised
-
four star parks offer an
extensive range of facilities and good
management
-
three star parks offer a good
range of facilities and good management
-
two star parks offer limited
facilities and good management
-
one star parks offer minimum
facilities required for registration
Self Catering Accommodation