8 Best Hotels in The Midlands, Ireland

A blend of stone, wood, and glass, the Farnham Estate—one of the top spots in the Midlands to detox and purify—exudes the promise of contentment over its 1,300 acres, as well as offering a superb choice of dining options. Extended from the original big house (dating from 1664), the hotel includes a golf course and mature grounds. Guest rooms and corridors are in relaxing neutral themes of beige, silvery greens, and sky blue, echoing the tones in the gardens and grounds. The Cedar Rooms restaurant, named after the 300-year-old cedar of Lebanon, the largest and one of the oldest trees in the estate, showcases local artisanal producers' food with beef, vension, and hake among the dishes. What steals the show however, is the spa, and in particular the Laconium, which re-creates the atmosphere of a Roman sauna. The snail shower, salt grottoes, and reflexology footbath are also recommended.

Ask at reception for a booklet outlining five nature trails through woods and around lakes, and make sure you see the magnificent Monterey pine in the center of the parkland.

There's a dreamy beauty to this châteaulike mansion set on the slopes of the Slieve Bloom Mountains—as you arrive, a dark, tree-lined avenue suddenly opens up to reveal a dramatically gorgeous Palladian villa, while some ducks, hens, and a Labrador called Rococo often form the welcoming party. The bedrooms in the main house are elegant and airy, or opt for cozier chambers in the adjacent 17th-century self-catering accommodations. Tiniest of all is the cottage, a stone charmer whose original tenants may have been Hansel and Gretel. Affable hosts Hannah and Paddy Flynn often share your table at dinner, and if Paddy's guitar is to hand, he'll entertain guests with classical or contemporary rock numbers. On the menu, lamb and beef are among the staple dishes. Frank Kennan, Hannah's father, is known as the "woodman and the bookman." His 2,000-volume library of the evolution of civilization can be perused in the Long Room, an outbuilding where concerts and plays are occasionally held.

Ireland's first "wine hotel" began life as a humble boathouse, but today it is one of the country's most enchanting hideaways—stylishly modern and light filled, with rooms opening out onto the placid waters of Killinure Lough. Guest rooms are minimalist, but stylishly adorned with leopard-skin prints and goose-down duvets. If you feel like splurging ask for the Champagne Suite spread over two floors with a mezzanine floating bedroom, a flickering fire stove, and a cradle bath. The welcoming reception area has a real log fire, comfy seats, and soft, neutral carpeting to complete the relaxing effect. In the restaurant, fine vintages and new Irish brews accompany mouthwatering offerings such as rustic chicken, linguine pasta, fillet steak, roast pork, or risotto. Special offers are posted on the hotel website and include the "ultimate two-night unwind" with one dinner and spa treatment from €575.

The guest rooms have a soothing palette of buffs, creams, and lime greens. Ranging from classic to luxury suites, the rooms boast views over the lake or across the 18-hole championship golf course, cleverly crafted by Christy O'Connor, Jr. And it's for the golf that many still come to this idyllically sited location. The award-winning course has been upgraded and enhanced with improved chipping and putting facilities. Public areas in the hotel have been refashioned with the new Killinure dining room specializing in fish, lamb, and steak dishes while at the more informal Lakeview bar with its floor-to-ceiling windows, pies, burgers, bagels, salads, and lighter meals are on the menu. You can work it all off at the in-house gym, avail of the complimentary bikes to explore the grounds, or arm yourself with a walking pack made up of a picnic, blanket, and walking sticks.

In a prime location on the banks of the Shannon, this property has a distinctive water theme; not surprising, as more than half the bedrooms have superb views of the meandering river with a lovely look at Sts. Peter and Paul across the way. Guest rooms are clean, comfortable, and modern, and all have been refurbished in neutral shades. Swans preen around the bridge and cruisers are berthed beside the hotel. The Elements Bistro serves lunch and dinner, and you can snack on lighter fare at the Quayside Bar. Between May and September, barbecues light up summer nights on the terrace. As you enter the main lobby, a huge piece of permanent artwork entitled Sionna by the Kerry artist Susan Leen gives an immediate sense of place. 

Ask at reception about the new Blu Routes, which are cycling, walking, and running trails close to the hotel planned for guests by their trained fitness staff.

Right in the heart of town, this distinctive 12-story tower hotel comes not only with outstanding comfort but also top-class views of the Midlands, making it one of the highest points in Westmeath—a county not noted for many mountains. Guest rooms in soothing milky and cream tones are inspired by the surroundings, with designs reflecting the historic nature of Athlone as a centuries-old crossing place. At 6½ feet long, the Sheraton signature beds ensure a comfy night. Ask to stay in the tower where king rooms or suites with floor-to-ceiling windows will dazzle you, revealing a 360-degree panorama of the countryside and the lazy curve of the River Shannon. The crossing theme is continued in the furnishings in the lobby and in the bespoke artwork in other public areas. There's a choice of dining in either La Provence Brasserie or the Harvest Café for lighter meals, while the S Bar and Bistro also serves snacks from its morning bakery right up to 9:30 pm; after noon, here you can choose from Irish stew, humus tikka flatbread, duck rillette, or Ancient East seafood chowder. Inspired by Japanese tearooms, the Sirana Spa offers purifying facials, hot-stone massages, and pedicures and there are swimming and hydrotherapy pools alongside a gym.

If you're 62 years or older, senior discounts of up to 15% apply to all room rates.

Outdoors types, especially golfers, prick up their ears when they hear of the facilities on offer at this modern country hotel set on 300 acres—apart from two golf courses, it also has an excellent health club. From the outside, this hotel looks like a rather wan 20th-century redo of a stately home. One comes here for modern-day luxuries and de-stressing activities, not the grace notes of yesteryear. In 2020, the hotel invested heavily in its lifestyle and golf facilities—both its courses have been accredited by the Professional Golfers' Association—and some suites were upgraded. The bright and sprightly bedrooms have chunky, Art Deco–style furniture. White linen and wrought-iron chandeliers decorate the formal Conall Cearnach restaurant, where the extensive menu includes traditionally prepared and locally sourced dishes featuring lamb, steak, chicken, duck, and monkfish. The Setanta restaurant is more informal, while the Summit Restaurant, overlooking the golf course, serves tasty snacks. 

Situated on the edge of town, its 103 guest rooms are attractively presented in cream with wood fittings, while the executive rooms are decorated in pleasing dark red furnishings. Scented creamy shampoos, hand wash, and gels come from the luxury Paul Costelloe Linen Collection. The Furlong bar—a name synonymous with local Gaelic football stars—specializes in good value bistro food (from €13 for mains) and was refurbished in 2020 as a place to relax and dine informally. A table d'hôte menu is available at the Oak Room restaurant for €34. The hotel has an on-site beauty salon.

In the town center, some gift, clothing, and footwear shops, as well as beauticians, allow 10 percent discount on presentation of your hotel key card.