2 Best Hotels in The Midlands, Ireland

Rising out of the flat bogland and forest, Center Parcs is a huge new family-friendly resort that may have been developed for the Irish family travel market, but its wide variety of accommodations, amenities, and more than 100 activities make it a great option for visiting families with children who might want a break from the typical castles-and-cliffs Irish vacation. Putting the Midlands on the map as a family-friendly destination, Center Parcs offers accommodation for 2,500 guests spread over a staggering 466 self-catering lodges and 30 hotel-style apartments. Most come with log burners and private patios, while the more expensive options are equipped with saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and a games room. There is no shortage of activities with mini tennis, ziplines, and laser combat as well as cycling, painting, pottery-making, and the revitalizing Aqua Sana spa. Underneath the weatherproof dome is a subtropical swimming paradise, a vast indoor swimming pool made up of a lazy river, slides and rides, rapids, a whirlpool, and a wave pool. The minimum stay is a weekend break of three nights, a four-night midweek break, or a seven-night stay. Huck's American Bar & Grill has established itself as a popular venue with an all-you-can-eat children's buffet.

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This modern hotel looks out over the parkland setting of an 18-hole golf course and across to the distant Slieve Bloom Mountains. Luxury accommodation includes different classifications of rooms—from standard to suites—all finished with a soothing and muted color and some have a private balcony with stunning countryside views. A good choice of dining venues includes Blakes which serves fish, beef, chicken, and duck, as well as wild mushroom ravioli, and barley and broccoli risotto. Other options are for light fare or afternoon tea is available in the The Galleria from 1 to 3 pm and costs €36; the Vegan afternoon tea is accompanied with plant-based sweet and savory treats. A five-minute walk from the hotel leads to the spa, where there are more than 70 treatments. There's also a health club with gym and fitness studio, Jacuzzi, pool, sauna, and steam rooms. If you prefer outdoor exercise, the hotel has walking trails and a trim trail with exercise stations as well as a championship course (home to a golf school) that was co-designed by Seve Ballesteros and features challenging doglegs, as well as lakes stocked with brown trout. On wet days, guests can choose to stay indoors and watch a movie at the 50-seat cinema or enjoy some retail therapy at the nearby Kildare Village shopping outlet. Special promotional packages include advanced purchase rates and active retirement breaks, available via the hotel website.

Ask about their picnic hamper which you can take with you on a trip to the nearby splendor of Emo Court & Gardens and enjoy your own private tour.