5 Best Hotels in Athlone, The Midlands

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.

An inviting glow hits you as you step into the long, narrow corridor of this unconventional B&B, all nooks and little staircases, an easygoing place to chill for a few days. Run by two brothers, Anthony and Vinny McCay, the Bastion is simply and tastefully furnished with crisp white linens and comfy beds. The studio room is €10 extra and is worth it for some additional space. You're spoiled for dining options, surrounded by Italian, Indian, Thai, Lebanese, and modern Irish restaurants as well as several pubs within a few minutes' walk on Athlone's left bank. Breakfast is not served, but the Bastion Kitchen directly across the road opens at 8:30 am and cooks what may well be the best sausage bap in the Midlands from the Castlemine farm.

The owners have renovated a delightful 200-year-old thick-walled and whitewashed cottage available for rent.

Killoy Cottage is a 20-minute drive northwest of Athlone at Lecarrow on the Rindoon peninsula close to Lough Ree, an area saturated in medieval history. It can be rented on a daily basis (€120) or for a week from €500, and crucially comes with a pub and grocery store round the corner. Described as a country hideaway, photographs of the cottage and interior rooms can be viewed on the owners' website.

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.