Cottage or B&B? - Ireland Travel Forum

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Date: 4:54 PM, 07/25/07

Cottage or B&B?	Permalink

I'm planning a surprise trip for my boyfriend from October 6-13th so I'm a little nervous and have a lot of questions. I've also noticed a great variety of cottages online. My main interest is to fly into Shannon, drive to Cork (Blarney) for one night. Then head to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Pennisula. I was also trying to squeeze in a visit to the Cliffs of Moher, and then head to Galway. Is that a stretch for one week? Would it be best (cheaper) to stay in a cottage, or the B&B's as I go? I'm a bit nervous about not having reservations ahead of time. I'm just not used to traveling that way. I also don't want to wear us out by driving to another accommodation each night. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! __________________

stewh

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Date: 8:37 PM, 07/25/07

RE: Cottage or B&B?	Permalink

Hello What a nice surprise for your boyfriend. I am a big fan of self-catering (cottages, houses and apartments). In our 3 trips to Ireland my wife and I have spent many weeks in many cottages and a few apartments in many locations. We like the privacy and freedom. We have also had a lot of good experiences in B&B's, guesthouses and rare hotels. The B&B experience is a great way to meet people but we have found that staying in the same self-catering location for a week and finding the "right" pub is even better for getting to know the locals. You must realize that cottages in Ireland are generally rented on a weekly basis - Saturday to Saturday. In the off season however, the terms can often be negotiated with your host. As to cost, self-catering allows you to eat some meals at home. We actually like to shop the markets and cook with the excellent local ingredients. Every day we eat lunch or dinner or sometimes both in a restaurant or pub. I love to drive so we have been able to see a lot from every locale we have visited. Have a great trip. PS: Do you really have to spend a night in Blarney? Stewart -- Edited by stewh at 21:37, 2007-07-25 __________________

Michele Erdvig

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Date: 12:33 AM, 07/26/07

Cottage or B&B?	Permalink

Angela, Welcome to my forum! This is the place to get all your questions answered and we look forward to helping you with your trip. Stewart provided you with some excellent info about self-catering rentals. There are some wonderful places around Ireland. It is a different sort of an experience renting a cottage than staying at B&Bs. Most people stay put for a whole week in one place. You will have to cook your own meals, straighten up, do dishes, etc. In a B&B you don't have to do anything. Your breakfast is cooked for you, your room is made up and you have no chores to do. Take a look at my "Self-catering" page for more info. B&Bs run from 35 to 45 euro per person, per night and include a full Irish breakfast. I suggest you look at the prices of a weekly rental for a cottage, divide by 7 and come up with your per night expense. That will tell you which will be more economical. Because you only have a week and want to go to various parts of Ireland, you would probably be better off staying at B&Bs. If you had more time or wanted to only see one area, I might suggest renting a cottage. The secret to not feeling rushed when visiting different areas is to spend as many multiple-nights as you can in each area. For instance you might opt for 3 nights in Kerry. With only a week, don't try to fit too much in. You could draw a horizontal line on your map (east to west) at the Shannon point. Decide if you want to go below that line or above it. Doing too much will only drive you crazy. Once you decide on an itinerary you can certainly make reservations if you want. That way you are assured of a nice place to stay every night and you don't have to search. I have a list of good accommodations on my "Lodgings" page and even more in my book. I hope that gets you startedl! Michele __________________ "Ireland Expert" Michele Erdvig Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.

AngelaA1148

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Date: 7:31 PM, 07/26/07

RE: Cottage or B&B - Stewh	Permalink

Stewh, Thanks for the advise. I'm still unsure about going to Blarney, that was a last minute (possible) add on. Do you have a suggestion for a cottage? Thanks Angela -- Edited by AngelaA1148 at 20:31, 2007-07-26 __________________

stewh

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Date: 8:54 PM, 07/26/07

RE: Cottage or B&B?	Permalink

Angela, I have spent only a few days in Dingle and we did not self-cater but it's a great place with plenty of choices. In the Spring of 2006 we spent a week at a cottage in Corofin, County Clare. You can easily tour the Burren and visit the cliffs from there. You can also go to Galway. The village is quite close to Shannon and is well supplied with Pubs (Campbell's Inchiquin Inn was my favourite) and has a good grocery store as well as a first rate restaurant to go along with the Pub food. We stayed at a house that I would highly recommend http://www.doonbeg-ireland.com/clare/burrenholidayhome/index.html I did leave a short trip report in Michele's Travel Forum if you want to check it out. If you choose to tour the Ring of Kerry, we spent a week at an apartment above a bookstore in the best possible location in Kenmare (my wife's favourite town). http://www.sneem.com/bookshopapartment/page2.html The apt is quite small but very reasonable. Michele has given you great advice. Don't try to do too much. Find a center (or 2) and work from there. I'd skip Blarney. Stewart __________________

Michele Erdvig

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Date: 11:34 PM, 07/26/07

RE: Cottage or B&B?	Permalink

Angela, Besides being one of the best B&Bs in Ireland, The Shores Country House on the Dingle Peninsula also has self-catering cottages available. Contact Annette for details: http://www.shorescountryhouse.com/ Michele __________________ "Ireland Expert" Michele Erdvig Click links for Michele's Book or Custom Ireland Itinerary Visit Michele's Irish Shop for unique Irish gifts and beautiful photos of Ireland.