Hotels with Self-Catering - 10 Of The Best

Offering a choice between serviced accommodation and the independence of self catering, together with on-site amenities that are not available at most standalone self catering destinations, hotels with self catering houses and apartments provide the best of both worlds to travellers seeking to combine comfort and services with peace of mind. Here are ten for your wish list. 

Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort
Adare Co Limerick

Set in 900 acres beside the River Maigue, this magnificent neo-Gothic mansion was bought in 2015 by Limerick-born businessman JP McManus and, following closure for a multi-million euro refurbishment, re-opened late in 2017. As well as upgrading many areas of the hotel, a luxurious new 42-bedroom wing was added, along with a 350-seater ballroom and amenities including a La Mer spa (the first in Ireland or the UK), swimming pool and cinema. The redesigned championship golf course takes pride of place among outdoor activities, but there are many more - including falconry, fishing and archery. Varied and highly desirable dining options include The Oak Room, a romantic fine dining restaurant lit only by candlelight, and The Carriage House at the clubhouse, which is handy to the estate’s very comfortable two and four bedroom self-catering houses, the Manor Lodges.

Castle Leslie Estate
Glaslough Co Monaghan

Billed as “just 80 minutes from Dublin and 60 minutes from Belfast, yet a million miles from anywhere”, the Leslie family’s dog-friendly country estate is beautifully set in the rolling hills and lakelands of Co Monaghan and its reputation as a pretty much perfect rural retreat is well earned. Choose between rooms in the extraordinary Castle or in The Lodge, a sensitively designed and atmospheric modern hotel built around a stable courtyard, complete with an equestrian centre and Victorian Treatment Rooms - or go for self catering independence, in cottages or the beautifully converted Old Stable Mews. And, whether for Afternoon Tea at The Castle, informal fare at Conor’s Bar or fine dining at Snaffles Restaurant (both at The Lodge), the food at Castle Leslie is always excellent.

Sheen Falls Lodge
Kenmare Co Kerry

Set in a 300-acre estate across the river from Kenmare town, this gently contemporary hotel has welcoming fires burning in the handsome foyer and in a lounge bar which - like the highly-regarded Falls Restaurant - overlooks the tumbling waterfall. Accommodation is predictably chic and a strong kitchen team offers modern food to match, with a focus on promoting quality local produce. There’s a lot to love at Sheen Falls, and that includes the exceptionally charming self catering accommodation offered in thatched cottages sleeping from two to eight people. There’s a welcome hamper and a Dine In Your Cottage Menu, but self-catering guests also have unlimited access (by reservation) to the hotel’s services and activities, including all meals, and the pool and gym.

Dunmore House Hotel
Clonakilty Co Cork

The magnificent coastal location of the O’Donovan family’s immaculately maintained and pet friendly hotel has been used to advantage to provide sea views for all rooms and to allow guests access to their own stretch of foreshore. Hands-on owner-management, appealing public areas, well- appointed bedrooms (many with truly superb views), terrific local and home-grown food - and, most of all, the professional, friendly staff make this an exceptionally pleasing hotel - and with its own 9-hole golf course too. And there’s more - beside the hotel, The Courtyard offers serviced / self catering accommodation in a six-bedroom house, a three-bedroom house and a one-bedroom apartment, available individually or for a group getaway.

Lahinch Coast Hotel & Suites
Lahinch Co Clare

John and Brid O’Meara - who are well known locally for their hands-on hospitality - have brought a lovely personal touch and some welcome refurbishments to the former Lahinch Golf & Leisure Hotel, now the Lahinch Coast. Although the rooms may still vary somewhat, it would make a very comfortable and friendly base for the many outdoor activities that the area is famous for, a traditional seaside holiday - or just exploring this section of the Wild Atlantic Way. There’s an excellent leisure centre (17m swimming pool, sauna, steam room) and spacious self-catering suites that offer an especially attractive independent option for families and longer stays.

Kilkea Castle Hotel & Golf Resort
Castledermot Co Kildare

The oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, Kilkea dates back to the twelfth century. The original structure is surprisingly small - a ‘boutique castle’ perhaps - but it is atmospheric and elegant, with a pleasing ambience that conveys intimacy as well as a certain sense of grandeur. Following a sensitive restoration programme undertaken by the current owner, Jay Cashman, it is now a thriving hotel with championship golf course, spa, falconry and equestrian activities - and a fairytale wedding venue. Varied dining options include the excellent Restaurant 1180, which has a real ‘castle’ atmosphere and magnificent views over the countryside. One, two and three-bedroom self catering lodges are available in the grounds, with parking at the door (and some wheelchair accessible rooms offered).

Mount Falcon Estate
Ballina Co Mayo

Once a romantic family home, Mount Falcon is now a luxury hotel with some beautiful period features. While most of the accommodation is modern, there are six deluxe rooms in the main house with original features and the 100-acre estate offers country pursuits, including double-bank salmon fishing on the River Moy, lovely lakeside and woodland walks. There is also an impressive kitchen garden and, with home grown and local produce providing the foundation for adventurous cooking - and a classically appointed restaurant in the characterful original kitchen, storeroom and pantry to enjoy it in - there are plenty of treats in store whether you stay in the hotel or the courtyard and lakeside self-catering lodges, where dogs are welcome.

Lough Erne Resort
Enniskillen Co Fermanagh

Famously selected as the venue for the G8 Summit in 2013, this beautifully located hotel in County Fermanagh’s rolling lakelands is a world-class resort with two championship golf courses and an impressive spa. Accommodation is luxurious, with attentive and courteous service to match, and some rooms have lovely views across water. It’s a popular dining destination for non-residents and Head Chef Noel McMeel is famous for showcasing the Tastes of Lough Erne, notably in the fine dining Catalina Restaurant. Good informal dining is also available in a number of areas, and Afternoon Tea overlooking the lough is a popular indulgence for residents and local guests alike. For more independent stays, there are also 25 spacious two- and three-bedroom Loughside Lodge Suites named after nearby islands, all with kitchenettes, lounge and dining areas.

Courtmacsherry Hotel
Courtmacsherry Co Cork

Just a stone’s throw from the waters of the beautiful bay, the Courtmacsherry Hotel is one of the friendliest places to stay on the Cork coast. It’s one of those nice old fashioned hotels that we’re in danger of losing but, luckily, it’s in the energetic and very caring hands of a young couple, Billy and Ellen Adams, who are doing everything possible to bring it up to date and, as Ellen says, ‘make it the talking point that it once was’. Weddings, communions, gatherings of all sorts, are regularly held here in normal times and - an especially popular option these days - the hotel also offers well equipped self-catering accommodation at their Coastal Cottages, which are set in woodland, overlooking the bay.

Faithlegg House Hotel & Golf Resort

Set in wooded landscape with magnificent views over its own golf course and the Suir estuary, this lovely 18th century house has a splendid Waterford Crystal chandelier to set the tone in the foyer, and public areas are elegant throughout. Accommodation is shared between really lovely large, graciously proportioned rooms and suites in the old house, and more practical modern hotel rooms in a discreetly positioned new wing. But all are very comfortably furnished to a high standard and attractive self-catering holiday homes and apartments are also offered in the grounds. Fauithlegg has a well earned reputation for good food and, aside from golf, amenities include a leisure centre with swimming pool and gym, also health and beauty treatments.