21 of the best family-friendly hotels to book around Ireland this summer
The summer holidays are fast approaching, scout out some of the best hotels in Ireland for a family getaway
It's that time of year again — the summer holidays are on the horizon and parents will understandably want to get away for a few days with the family. But sometimes their chosen destination may not have enough to facilitate the boundless energy and extra space that children invariably need on a ‘relaxing’ family break.
Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best family friendly hotels in the country to help you, and your brood, have a great time.
This Dublin hotel is popular with families because of its proximity to many of the capital’s top attractions, including Dublin Zoo, AquaZone, and Meath’s Emerald Park. On site, it has an 18m heated swimming pool, baby pool, and toddler pool — all of which are open to youngsters between 10am and 6pm.
There are a number of family bedrooms, some interconnecting, and children will receive a welcome bag on arrival — which includes Phoenix the Giraffe, a colouring book, and some goodies.
The hotel has a cinema room which is open during the school holidays and both of the onsite restaurants cater for children — but if parents would like to take some time out, then babysitting services an be arranged.
Family rooms with B&B from €319.
Located on the edge of Rosslare Strand, this well-known property has been welcoming families for decades. Offering a wide range of family-sized rooms, it also offers a wide variety of activities to keep everyone happy, including crazy golf, an astro turf sports area, four tennis courts, badminton court, indoor pools, fitness classes, SeaSpa, playground with pirate ship, and the long sandy beach outside the door.
Along with babysitting facilities, it also offers a fully supervised children’s programme including Pirates Club for children over four and Starfish Club for those aged between one and three years.
There are also children’s dining times, disco and movie nights, as well as supervised playroom for younger guests allowing parents to have some free time.
Prices vary depending on dates.
As the name suggests, this hotel is located on the banks of the River Shannon and within easy walking distance of everything Limerick has to offer, with discounts for up to 22 local attractions included in your stay.
Family rooms can sleep up to five people and the hotel is currently offering a Little Knights and Princesses Family summer escape, which includes discounts to Bunratty Castle and King John’s Castle, children’s welcome packs and free main courses for under 12s when dining with adults.
With a swimming pool and spa on site, the whole family can unwind after a busy day exploring the locality.
B&B for a family of four, with two children under 12, from €265 per night.
The breathtaking location of Inchydoney Beach is a playground in itself and the hotel has 24 family rooms — along with a number of interconnecting rooms and 13 two-bedroom self-catering apartments beside the hotel.
Children can enjoy a dedicated lounge, complete with an Xbox and board games, and also a snooker room, and there are children’s hours set aside in the Seawater Pool. Older children may enjoy e-bike tours, kayaking, and whale watching trips locally.
For the younger ones, babysitting s ervices are available.
From €340 B&B for two adults and two children.
Located in a prime position overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point, Co Clare, has 12 family rooms, all equipped with a kids area with rocking chair and games.
Twin Tepee rooms are suitable for families with up to two children and feature a handmade tepee tent. The hotel frequently runs a supervised kids’ club during peak seasons, such as school holidays, offering arts, crafts, and film nights. Children’s menus are available and babysitting facilities can be arranged.
2 night family deal from €580 for June.
There is a lot for kids to do at this hotel in West Cork, including the indoor playzone and kids camp, where youngsters can burn off steam while parents enjoy well-earned downtime at the leisure centre, with its 20m swimming pool, plunge pool, sauna, jacuzzi and steam room.
For families seeking shared experiences, there is an on-site cinema, cool high ropes course, and mini golf.
There is also an extensive programme of complimentary evening entertainment during the school holidays with everything from bracelet-making workshops and board game nights, to lively children’s discos.
Family rooms cater to every configuration, from bunk beds to king-size options, while interconnecting rooms provide solutions for multi-generational stays and there are also fully-equipped apartments and holiday homes on site.
Summer rates start from €266 per night, B&B for two adults and a child in a superior family room.
This waterside Dingle hotel boasts a number of family rooms which can sleep up to five people, as well as some interconnecting rooms.
There is a playroom for children under five and a fully supervised ‘Fungie Kids Club’ which operates at weekends and during school holidays — activities include Lego, bingo, puppet shows and a weekly animal show.
There are also sensory friendly activities and the opportunity for children to practice their cúpla focal with the kids club team who speak Gaeilge also.
The hotel is also very proud to be a part of the Access for Success Failte Ireland programme, with a full accessible guide online.
Prices vary depending on time of year.
With over 50 large and XL family rooms, this hotel can accommodate families of up to eight guests, meaning grandparents might also want to come along on the trip. With children in mind, onsite facilities include the Little Diamonds Kids Club; outdoor play and sports facilities equipped with a multi-purpose play area; and dedicated space for tennis, basketball, and football.
There is a special menu for children in two of the restaurants along with flexible dining times and babysitting can be arranged on request. And for those wanting to explore the area, Enniscrone Beach and Waterpoint Aqua Park are within easy reach.
Family rooms from €180 per night.
With almost 40 family rooms to choose from, many with interconnecting layouts, this hotel is ideal for families.
An 18m heated pool offers dedicated family swim times and there’s a playroom. Outdoors, you’ll find a walking trail with picnic area and fairy forest, and a nice playground.
There are children’s movie nights on selected evenings and a supervised kids club is available during the summer, which includes arts and crafts, disco, game ,and children’s dinner.
There are also kids golf lessons available, while babysitting can also be arranged to allow parents to enjoy some downtime of their own.
Family rooms from €216.
There are many variations of rooms to choose from at Parknasilla Resort — both at the lodges and villas and in the hotel itself, which has four family rooms and four two-bedroom interconnecting suites.
Within the 500-acre estate, you’ll find eight coastal walking trails, a fairy trail and treasure trail with maps to follow, and an interactive wander and wonder trail. There is also a play area for toddlers, a playground, mini golf, and scheduled creative and interactive events during the school holidays — including an interactive family coastal discovery walk with the resident marine biologist.
There is also an indoor swimming pool, a teen ‘hideout’ complete with a number of board games, tennis courts, pitch and putt, sea kayaking tours, archery with instructions, RIB excursion, guided history walk, pizza nights, wild swimming, and a murder mystery, and ‘Mission Impossible’ challenge.
Rates from €320 to €360 a night.
Castlemartyr describes its rooms as individually appointed, with 110 bedrooms and suites across the estate, each offering flexible family sleeping arrangements.
There are kid’s club activities during school holidays, designated pool times, and child-friendly dining options — while outings to Fota Wildlife Park and Leahy’s Open Farm are often part and parcel of any family trip here.
On site, families can enjoy activities like tennis, cycling, archery, croquet, clay pigeon shooting, hurling, and outdoor family picnics.
There is currently a ‘three for two’ offer from €250 per night, including breakfast each morning and dinner on two evenings.
With 110 family rooms, and 19 interconnecting rooms, this award-winning hotel is perfect for family breaks — and with so much to do, there is little need to leave the property.
There is a 17.5m heated swimming pool, complete with dedicated children’s area, a games room, toddler soft play room, and the ‘Jurassic Juniors Kids Camp’ — which has both daytime and evening sessions, giving parents the opportunity to relax and unwind.
Babysitting facilities are also available to book in advance and across the three dining outlets, dedicated children’s and toddler menus are available.
The standout attraction is Jurassic Newpark, a vibrant, family adventure park where visitors can journey along a prehistoric trail filled with life-sized dinosaurs, hands-on fossil digging experiences, and a wide range of exciting outdoor activities. The location is perfect for exploring some of the attractions in the locality including the National Reptile Zoo, Castlecomer Discovery Park, and Kilkenny Castle.
Family breaks from €340 per night.
Located close to the beautiful village of Adare, the hotel offers a range of spacious family accommodation, including 40 dedicated family rooms, with a selection of interconnecting rooms and larger suites for extended families or those seeking additional space.
With a playground and pet farm on site, younger visitors can enjoy the outdoors. For those preferring to stay inside, Woody’s Fun Club offers supervised children’s entertainment and activities during weekends and school holidays, and all members of the family will enjoy the 20m swimming pool.
Children’s menus are available in the restaurant and babysitting services can be availed of so parents can enjoy some relaxing time in the Revas Spa or go for dinner.
Prices vary depending on dates.
Boasting ‘dens’ which ‘ooze wow factor’, the stylish family rooms at this hotel are both spacious and modern and can sleep up to six people.
There is a fully-equipped leisure club with a 20m deck level pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym — all of which parents can enjoy while children make friends at the kids club and play in the designated children’s play area.
Located on the lakeshore, there are plenty of attractions in the local vicinity including Fore Abbey, and the Old Rail Trail & Greenway walking and cycling routes.
Two-night family B&B from €398.
Located near Tralee, this spacious resort has 12 family rooms, seven of which have bunk beds. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, there is a lot for families to do in the area, including a visit to the Aqua Dome Centre in Tralee — tickets for which are included in family break packages.
There is complimentary bike hire available for those who want to explore the on-site trails and little ones will love the magic of the fairy trail which they can follow around the grounds.
There is also a 5km walk in neighbouring Ballyseedy Woods for those who want to get a little more exercise in.
Enjoy wandering the trails with complimentary children and adult bikes available at reception.
Family summer breaks, two adults and two children, from €429 B&B. Family rooms from €233.
With 30 family rooms of varying types, this Westmeath Hotel also has a number of attractions for parents looking for an engaging break away with their children.
From the family pool in the leisure centre to the kids club and plenty of lakeshore activities including the Viking boat trip and Baysports inflatable water park, there is lots to keep everyone occupied.
During the school holidays and selected weekends, kids can enjoy a fully supervised activity camp, packed with games, arts and crafts, outdoor play, and a movie to wind down — the perfect way to keep them entertained, while parents enjoy a well-earned break. Babysitting is also available on request.
Prices range from €200-€500 depending on dates,
Located close to a number of sandy beaches, this Wexford hotel has 48 family suites of varying configurations, some which feature a clever ‘den’, with twin sets of bunk beds which can accommodate up to four children in a separate sleeping area.
There is also a state-of-the-art playzone with jungle gym, ball pool, and slides; a kids club for school age children; swimming in Club Amber; and up to four movies screened daily in the impressive Showtime Cinema.
For older children, the Oasis Room has a pool table, foosball, air hockey, table tennis, and more. There is also a ‘Gamers Zone’ with a PlayStation.
Outdoors, you’ll find a huge selection of activities to enjoy together.Alongside a playground, there’s a football pitch, mini golf, go-karting, bowling alley, and daily activities with the kids club team — which includes dance parties, puppet shows, and birds of prey displays, all complimentary to guests. It really ticks everyone’s boxes.
Dining is also family-focused, with dedicated children’s menus, relaxed dining spaces, high chairs, and flexible meal options available throughout the hotel’s restaurants and lounges.
Family rooms from €179.
Located in Rosscarbery, this hotel has accommodation options for families of all ages, with a mix of double, single, and bunk-bed options. There are also interconnecting bedrooms and of course cots for babies.
Along with a large swimming pool and gym, the leisure centre also has a kids pool — while outside, within walking distance, is Warren Beach, the lagoon, playground, tennis court, and the village itself. Also in the nearby locality, the Lagoon Activity Centre has an array of activities on offer, including an inflatable water park, pedal boats and kayaks — while Smugglers Cove offers a maze, crazy golf, and in inflatable obstacle course.
The on-site Kingfisher Bistro offers family dining with a specific kids activity menu and babysitting can be arranged on request.
Family packages start from €554, including two-night B&B, one three- course meal for all the family on one of the evenings, + 10% discount to Smugglers Cove.
Located in the centre of the capital, this modern hotel offers 10 spacious family rooms designed to accommodate up to six guests, and also interconnecting rooms, making the location ideal for larger families or groups travelling together. (It’s also close to the Luas line, if you travel to Dublin by train.)
With family-focused packages, some of which include passes to Dublin Zoo, the venue is within walking distance of many of the main attractions in the city, including Dublinia, The Little Museum of Dublin, and St Stephen’s Green with its great playground. Children will receive a complimentary teddy bear on check-in.
Pricing varies by season but discounts are available on direct bookings and longer stays.
With 10 family rooms, featuring bunk- bed, single, and double bed, this relaxed hotel also has an indoor playroom and a playground outside.
There are lots of activities to keep everyone happy including the star of the show – the outdoor heated swimming pool. Kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, archery, boating, and a driving range are all available — with designated children’s activities arranged during the school holidays.
Small children will love following the fairy trail in the small forest and complementary bikes for all the family are available. During the summer months, ice-cream is served from a van outside the golf shop. Even the family dog is welcome too!
Family rooms from €380, B&B per night.
There is so much for families to do on Fota Island. The resort offers a swimming pool, playground, adventure centre, cinema room with daily screenings, walking trails, and enchanting fairy paths.
Family rooms are available in the hotel and can sleep up to four people. There are three restaurants on site, all of which have children’s menus, and the resort offers in-room babysitting and supervised childcare services, should parents want to enjoy a relaxing dinner or spa treatment.
3-night family package in the hotel from €1,250..
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