Hotel recommendations

Lwskco · Newbie

Hotel recommendations

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Welcome to Michele's Forum! smile smile

July is High Season in Ireland, so it's not surprising that some places are Booking up.

In Killarney, I had a nice enough (and very reasonably priced stay) in Nov of 2016, at: http://www.riversidehotelkillarney.com/ It's not as 'Posh' as the Victoria House, but it's 1/2 the price -- and closer to town center. I normally self-cater when in the area, or stay at a B&B. In the same general vicinity, just a bit further out, I have fond memories from our 2004 visit at: http://www.carrigleahouse.com/

None of these are within what I would consider 'walking distance' of Town Center, though.

I have no personal info on the Victoria House Hotel, but you can check Michele's listings of her recommended places: http://www.irelandyes.com/lodgings.html

Which base you choose for the Cliffs would greatly depend on your interests and Budget. Some likely candidates might be Ennis, Bunratty, Lahinch, Doolin, Kinvara, Ballyvaughan, Doolin, Gort, or Galway.

Will you have a car? Where are you planning to go AFTER the Cliffs? What type of vacation (Leisure, hiking and walking, scenic views, historic sites)? What's your nightly budget? Do you prefer hotels, or do B&Bs appeal?

Lwskco · Newbie

Thank you so much! We will have a car, probably after Dublin. Since this is our first trip to Ireland we want to see some of the more popular sites but we also want to be able to enjoy the people and the country. The Victoria is the high end of our budget but doable for a couple of nights. We are planning to fly into Dublin and stay 2 nights, 2 nights in Killarney, 2 nights in Ennis? for West Clare, 1 night in Cashel to see family in Cappawhite and then maybe the last night near SNN since we want to fly home from SNN.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Is it possible to 'shift' the Cashel night? If so, you could do: A) Dublin 2, Cashel 1, Killarney 2 and Ennis the last 2, before flying from Shannon.

Or, B) Dublin 2, Killarney 2, Cashel 1, Ennis 2 -- If either result in an 'Extra' night, add it to Killarney. That would allow for the ROK, Dingle and / or Gap of Dunloe -- plus the delights of the town.

Ennis would be a good final base for Clare -- both for the perennial favorites like the Cliffs and the Burren -- but, also, for the under visited, but dynamically interesting, East Clare:

Portumna, Mountshannon, Ballina, Killaloe and the other towns surrounding Lough Derg.

http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/about-lough-derg/

Lwskco · Newbie

thank you so much! yes Cashel is flexible.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Map for option A: https://goo.gl/maps/a7mYw4gikFD2

Map for Option B: https://goo.gl/maps/3EukoidrThT2

Both assume a 'detour' via Cork / Blarney, but there are other options.

As you can see, Option A affords the most logical progression and exposes you to less 'back-tracking'.

Lwskco · Newbie

thank you, you are the best!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Definitely get your reservations made. I am doing an itinerary for June and things are hopping and booked up.

Schalker · Member

Been in the Victoria House in Feb.2008 so it quite a while ago and out of season.
Therefore not easy to compare

Its a Boutique Hotel with nice rooms and good food in restaurant and bar.Personal was friendly and we felt at home.
We could recommend it at that time.

But perhaps you check the latest tripadvisor postings if things have changed.