Doolin in Ireland is one of the last remaining areas in the country to have retained some of the old charm feel of a traditional Irish village with its colorful village cottages and narrow country lanes.
Most visitors to the region are understandably drawn to the likes of the Ring of Kerry (a scenic coastal drive), kissing the stone at the Blarney Castle and perhaps even Funghi the dolphin in Dingle Bay.
While these attractions are worth the visit it will be the Doolin town’s scenic views out to the Atlantic and the charm of the quaint village cottages that look like a picture from the 19th century that will stick in your memory. Add to this the splendid restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and the nightly traditional Irish music sessions in the local bars and you can see why the Irish choose to holiday here themselves.
Doolin hotels and guesthouses have in recent decades come to the fore and really started to challenge the bigger towns with their high quality lodgings. The first hotel of note would have to be the Aran View House Hotel just outside the village which boasts some of the best views out to the Aran Islands and of the surrounding countryside.
The Aran View is almost a country house style hotel with 19 large rooms that have been sympathetically decorated to reflect the ambience & style of the building. The hotel’s restaurant and bar also attract a lot of visitors seeking a menu of well-prepared dishes that make the most of the locally caught seafood. On most evenings, the bar also provides music sessions of Irish music for you to savor while enjoying the sea views.
If you are seeking something more tranquil and just that little bit extra special then a stay at the Ballinalacken Castle Country House comes highly recommended for its hill top setting with views of Galway Bay and its lush grounds.
The hotel sits alongside the castle (from which the hotel took its name) on a cliff top a few kilometers north of Doolin village. The 15th century castle forms a backdrop to the hotel with has been sympathetically designed inside and out with tasteful elegant decor throughout. Rooms are bright and spacious.
This family owned hotel is very welcoming with staff being professional and friendly as you would expect from the Irish. The hotel has plenty of communal areas to sit down and read a book or take in the views out across the bay. The hotel restaurant is in perfect balance with the surroundings with a wonderful menu of mouth watering dishes using locally sourced produce (seafood is a specialty of the area).
Finally, for something a little more modern, and perhaps quirky, there is the Roadford House Guesthouse. This recently modernized guest-house has 6 large modern rooms with every modern convenience you could need. Guests also benefit from proximity to the gastronomic treats on offer in the adjoining Roadford House restaurant which has fast become one of the dining highlights for the area.
For more information about restaurants, entertainment and hotels in Doolin visit our website at http://doolinhotelsguide.com/doolin-ireland-information