4 Best Hotels in Connemara and County Mayo, Ireland

Flamboyantly turreted, this famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece, dating from the 13th century, and rebuilt in 1870 for the Guinness family, has been wowing presidents and celebrities ever since. Nearly bigger than the entire neighboring village of Cong, it is strong on luxury and service, yet maintains a relaxed atmosphere in which guests of all ages feel totally at ease. Deluxe guest rooms have generous sitting areas, heavily carved antique furniture, open fireplaces, and extra-large, opulent bathrooms. Standard bedrooms in the discreetly added wing are smaller, with sumptuous soft furnishings, bespoke beds and carpets, and Victorian-style antiques with ostentatiously hued soft furnishings. The suites in the original castle building are vast, with double-height windows and Georgian antiques, and are blissfully comfortable. For something truly romantic, consider the Hideaway Cottage, a former boathouse on the shore of the lough with its own gated gardens and pier. Sample high Victorian style with afternoon tea in the splendidly ornate Connaught Room or pre-dinner drinks at The Prince of Wales Bar (named for the one who visited in the 1890s.) Choose between the formal George V dining room and the more relaxed atmosphere of Cullen's at the Cottage or The Dungeon. The 32-seat cinema has a family-oriented matinee, and films for grown-ups in the evening. Round off your day with a visit to the rooftop Cigar Terrace, with its unique lake views, accessed through the Billiard Room. Clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding, tree-climbing, ziplining, and the 9-hole golf course are complemented by a sparkling new spa and indoor pool. The riverbank has been landscaped to facilitate angling, but don't miss the chance to take a morning walk with a noble Irish wolfhound or with a hawk on your arm at the on-site School of Falconry.

The Lodge is Ashford Castle's fun and funky sister property on the Estate. Its bold and witty decor freely combines Warhol and hunting prints while some bedrooms are vast, with outdoor terraces on to the lake view, eclectic luxe decor, claw-foot tubs, and oversize furnishings. Wilde's Restaurant is a popular fine dining and special occasion venue, while the Quay Bar and Brasserie is a more informal venue, with a tapas menu.

About 19 km (12 miles) south of Killala and set in a 100-acre estate between Ballina and Foxford, this baronial 1876 cut-stone house is the centerpiece of a family-owned property with 45 luxury self-catering houses, a lake and river fishery, indoor pool, and spa. Children enjoy the abundant wildlife, including tame ducks and rabbits, and a forest playground, while golfers can sharpen their game on the driving range. Suites in the original house are characterful and luxurious, with high-ceilinged rooms featuring splendid Victorian antiques, marble fireplaces, and original floorboards and shutters. Rooms in the new wing have extra-large bathrooms with tub, shower, and double vanity units, and lovely views of the wooded estate (197 tree species counted so far). The Kitchen restaurant in the original kitchen and pantry is highly reputed for the French chef's stylish presentation of fresh local produce and has a rustic charm that contrasts with the plush club-style of the bar, where bar food is served as an informal option. Afternoon tea beside a blazing fire in the restful lounge is a popular winter option. Staff are expertly trained, and provide a warm West-of-Ireland welcome. Packages featuring angling or golfing itineraries are a specialty, while the spa and leisure center provides an all-weather retreat. There is a two-night minimum stay policy in July and August.

Perched on a cliff overlooking a vast, sandy beach on the northern side of Clew Bay, 25 minutes' drive from Westport, this is one of Ireland's best-loved "bucket and spade" hotels, built in 1897 for holidaymakers arriving by train. The railway line is now the cycling and walking route known as the Great Western Greenway, which leads to Achill Island, 14 km (9 miles) to the east. The hotel retains a certain grandeur in the large scale of its bar and restaurant, with an extensive sun terrace facing the sea, and is as popular as ever with Irish families, as well as walkers and honeymooners. Choose between excellent bar food ($) and the acclaimed fine-dining experience in the more formal Nephin Restaurant ($$$). The staff are warm and enthusiastic, and full of useful touring tips.

For a small supplement you can stay up under the eaves in the retro John Lennon Suite, where he and Yoko Ono spent a long weekend in 1968.

There is a 20-meter (65-foot) indoor pool with an outdoor hot tub, while the lobby and lounge have open turf fires and inviting sofas.

With all the hallmarks of Ireland's Celtic Tiger boom time, this swish and stylish boutique hotel has a vast marble lobby with a double-sided gas fire and huge guest rooms with over-sized, veneered, Art Deco–style furniture and bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and modern showers. This may not be what you've come to the West of Ireland to experience, but there's plenty to enjoy about it. It's part of a large new complex in the town center, and shares leisure facilities with its more traditional sister hotel, the Castlecourt. The best bedrooms overlook a Zen-like inner roof garden, while others have balconies perched over the fountain and ground-floor courtyard.