While Ireland is a fantastic destination with lots of exciting things to do and see, frugal travellers know that visiting the Emerald Isle isn’t easy on your budget. Hotels, particularly, would take a considerable chunk of your travel budget. Luckily, Ireland also has a wide range of unique places that are cheaper, if not, bigger, and more valuable than traditional hotels.
Before booking an overpriced yet boring hotel room, check out our list of 7 unique Ireland accommodation options for your next trip.
1. Stay in a homey serviced apartment
Traditional hotel rooms are generally small and cramped, don’t you agree? It’s basically a well-furnished bedroom with a toilet and bath, and it may not be the best fit for group travellers. Luckily, there’s a lodging option in Ireland that offers the luxury and convenience of hotel accommodation and the homey vibe of vacation rentals: serviced apartments.
Serviced apartments, like this serviced apartment in Ballsbridge Dublin, are like hotel rooms, but they’re much bigger and more equipped. Each unit comes with a living room with entertainment, separate bedrooms, a dining area, and a fully-equipped kitchenette, bringing home a little closer. Unlike self-catering options, serviced apartments come with 24/7 reception or concierge, housekeeping, elevators, and other services like grocery and laundry.
2. Book a hostel to lodge on a budget
Travelling solo on a budget? Spending a couple of nights in one of Ireland’s many hostels is the perfect option. Gone are the days when hostels are characterised by cramped sleeping quarters with uncomfortable bunk beds — hostels today are more spacious, comfortable, and beautifully furnished. They make fantastic hubs for travellers looking for a great base as they explore the surrounding attractions and culture.
While you have the option to share a dorm with strangers, you can also find hostels that offer private accommodation — a great option for families and couples. Here, you’ll enjoy the privacy and convenience of traditional hotels sans the hefty price tag.
3. Unleash your inner child in a private treehouse
If your idea of a perfect getaway includes lodging in a destination close to nature, then you can never go wrong with sleeping in a treehouse. Ireland has several sustainable treehouses, vintage caravans, and other eco retreats, both available for serviced and self-catering accommodation.
Here, you won’t have to wake up to congested city views or annoying phone alarms — instead, you’ll be surrounded by lush natural scenery, fresh country air, and local wildlife, allowing you to recharge from the modern world. You can find accommodation options with organic breakfasts too.
These are some of the best treehouse hotels in Ireland to check out:
- The West Cork Treehouse (with hot tub)
- The Birdbox Donegal
- Wicklow Treehouse Tent
- …and lots of treehouses on Airbnb
4. Go “glamping” by staying in an Irish cottage accommodation
Camping but make it glam! Ireland is home to cottages that are beautifully set within lush acres of land. One of the best is the Lost Cottage in County Kerry, a place where you can soak breathtaking scenery right from your bed while you enjoy your morning coffee. Another must-visit is the charming thatch-roofed cottage in Kells that was built in the late 18th century.
5. Try an Irish pub accommodation
Instead of looking for a hotel that’s close to Ireland’s best local pubs, why not lodge in a pub itself? Yes, Ireland is home to a wide array of pubs with B&B, which are perfect for travellers who’d like to keep things a little laidback.
Some of our best picks include:
- Wild Honey Inn
- Beach Bar/Aughris House
- The Smugglers Inn
- Seven Horseshoes
- The Waterfront, Cork
- McGrory’s of Culdaff
- Crotty’s
- Conroy’s Old Bar in County Tipperary (a.k.a “The Pub With No Beer”)
6. Sleep in a lighthouse with breathtaking coastal views
Dreaming of a getaway with coastal scenery? If you don’t mind traversing a few flights of stairs, then lodging in a lighthouse can offer you a hefty dose of Vitamin Sea in Ireland.
Clare Island Lighthouse, situated at the most northerly point of Clare Island, is one of the best options to check out. The lighthouse is high up on the cliffs, providing a breathtaking view out over the surrounding mountains and sea.
7. Lodge like a king in a castle
Okay, this obviously isn’t the cheapest lodging option but if you’re visiting a country that’s home to over 30,000 castles, you might as well sleep in one! Many medieval castles in Ireland have been renovated to become “castle hotels” — the perfect hideaway for couples and families planning to lodge like royalty. Fall in love with the interiors’ old-world charm, cosy up by the fireplace and roam around the picturesque castle grounds.
You can find castles close to Dublin if you’re planning to explore the bustling capital and its top-rated cultural attractions. For nature lovers, you can find castles set amongst the breathtaking scenery of the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and other destinations nestled in the tranquil Irish countryside.
These are some of the best castle hotels in Ireland to check out:
- Clontarf Castle | Dublin
- Dromoland Castle | Clare
- Wilton Castle | Wexford
- Kilkea Castle | Kildare
- Huntington Castle | Carlow
- Ashford Castle | Mayo
- Ballynahinch Castle | Galway
- Cabra Caste | Cavan
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a content writer during the weekends, and a travel and food blogger 24/7. She may be an awkward introvert but she’s got a lot to say about travel, food, and cultural appreciation. To know more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit PREMIER SUITES Ballsbridge.