Hotel review: Is this hotel the essential Limerick City getaway?

With sweeping Shannon views, this contemporary city hotel offers comfort, centrality and food worth lingering over.

The exterior of Limerick's Strand Hotel

The Limerick Strand Hotel,  Limerick City 

Our rating: 8/10

Location

Perched on Ennis Rd, just across the bridge from the heart of Limerick City, the Limerick Strand Hotel enjoys a prime riverside position.

The central location makes it ideal for exploring cultural highlights such as King John’s Castle, the Hunt Museum, and Milk Market, while also offering quick access to the legendary Thomond Park for sports fans.

Shannon Airport is about a 25-minute drive, making it an easy base for travellers.

• 9/10

The Strand Hotel's lobby

Style & Design

The hotel’s aesthetic leans towards modern, with clean architectural lines and an emphasis on light-filled spaces.

Interiors are pared-back and functional, with large windows that frame the river and cityscape beyond.

Public areas, including the lobby and bar, strike a balance between contemporary furnishings and a warm, inviting colour palette.

While it may lack the historic flourishes of some competitors, the overall design prioritises comfort, convenience, and a sense of openness.

• 7/10

Service

Check-in is efficient and welcoming, with staff quick to offer advice when asked for local tips and directions.

Housekeeping across the property is consistently high, with the dining team a standout.

At breakfast, dinner, and in the corridors, we get service that feels professional but genuinely personable.

• 8/10

The Strand Hotel's Executive Twin room

Guest Rooms

Our junior suite was super spacious, with a generous balcony, a rare luxury in a city centre hotel.

The panoramic views stretch across the River Shannon, with King John’s Castle to the left and the city unfolding beyond.

It was the perfect place to sink into the oversized rattan chairs, wrapped in the thoughtful fleece blanket, sipping a coffee and watching the large words on the river wall — ‘It will rise with the moon’ — come true as the tide drifts in.

Meanwhile, inside, the very comfortable king bed ensures a restful night’s sleep, while the seating area provides a relaxed space to soak in the scenery.

Ample storage, practical lighting, a double sink (a personal favourite in hotel rooms) and a hand-signed card from the housekeeping team added a personal, welcoming feel.

Touches like the zebra print cushions brought the whole space up a notch. With all those windows, the blackout blinds are welcome and effective.

• 8/10

In-room Perks

Tea and coffee-making facilities are provided, though it took us a little while to find them in the wardrobe — more a sign of the room’s size than anything else — including Bewley’s Tea, bottled water, Nespresso machine, and Walkers shortbread.

Suites come with robes and slippers, and a welcome note with chocolates is a nice touch.

The real luxury, though, lies in the sheer space and those wow river views, which lend the suite a sense of occasion rarely matched in urban hotels.

A sustainability note in the room highlights the hotel’s pledge to plant an Irish native tree with Hometree for every wedding or conference with over 100 attendees — a thoughtful gesture that aligns hospitality with environmental responsibility.

• 8/10

On the Menu

The River Bar & Restaurant champions regional produce with a focus on hearty, modern Irish cooking. 

Dinner is generous and well-executed, supported by a strong wine list, and really interesting cocktail offering. 

It features the “Munster Mile” menu, where dishes marked with an “M” are crafted entirely from Munster-sourced ingredients. 

Breakfast is buffet-style, but by no means standard fare, with Croom scrambled free-range eggs, sauteed potatoes, and Loughanan’s traditional Irish sausages and puddings. 

Highlights include freshly baked breads and Bonne Maman preserves. With attentive replenishment of the teas and coffee, even at peak times, service remains efficient and relaxed. 

A quirky touch we enjoyed were the little signs at stations, sharing local facts like Limerick’s nickname Pigtown, a nod to the city’s once-thriving bacon industry.

• 8.5/10

Activities and Amenities

Facilities are comprehensive for a city hotel.

The leisure club is excellent with a 20m pool, children’s pool, thermal suite including ice-cold plunge pool, and a modern gym.

It’s easy to appreciate the hotel’s proximity to Limerick’s cultural and sporting venues too.

Underground onsite parking gives direct access to the hotel (€12 for 24 hours).

Guests are offered discounts to nearby attractions, including the Hunt Museum, Treaty City Brewery, and Bunratty Castle, all part of the hotel’s positioning as a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way.

• 9/10

Checking in

The bill: Bed and breakfast for two from €279.

Room to improve: Some interiors could benefit from a touch more design flair. In-room amenities are solid but could be elevated with touches like fresh milk and a newer hair dryer.

Accessibility: Designated accessible rooms and parking are available, with step-free access throughout public spaces.

Family-Friendly? Definitely, there are large family rooms, a kids’ pool, and the central location makes it a great base for exploring the city with children.

Dogs welcome? Yes, for small dogs (under 20kg and 15 inches in height) a €50 one-time non-refundable fee applies. Dogs must be leashed, not left unattended, and are restricted from public areas including the restaurant, bar, and fitness facilities.

EV chargers? Yes — three EasyGo points adjacent to the hotel’s car park entrance.

  

• Limerick Strand Hotel
• Ennis Road, Limerick City
• strandhotellimerick.ie
• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of the Limerick Strand Hotel.