The Best Hotel in The Northwest, Ireland

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L
Shane Leavy

True, it's the farthest-flung corner of Ireland, but thanks to the area's popularity, good bed-and-breakfasts and small hotels are abundant. In the two major towns—Sligo Town and Donegal Town—and the small coastal resorts in between, many traditional provincial hotels have been modernized (albeit not always elegantly). Yet most manage to retain some of the charm that comes with older buildings and personalized service. Away from these areas, your best overnight choice is usually a modest guesthouse that includes bed, breakfast, and an evening meal, though you can also find first-class country-house hotels with that gracious professionalism found elsewhere in Ireland. Consider staying in an Irish-speaking home to get to know some of the area's Gaeltacht population—Glencolumbkille’s excellent Oideas Gael cultural center specializes in this; the local tourist information office (TIO) can be helpful in making a booking with an Irish-speaking family.

Fanad Lighthouse

$$$$ | Letterkenny, Ireland

One of the brand-new attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way, Fanad Lighthouse offers accommodations in a remote and spectacular area, as well as a unique tour for visitors. Three different-size houses, Inishtrahull View, Dunree View, and Tory View, are available beside the tall lighthouse tower with a minimum two-night stay. Included in the price is a tour of the visitor center and tower, which involves climbing 79 steep and narrow steps (it is not for the fainthearted and you will need a head for heights). The accommodation and lighthouse are sited within the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) on the eastern shore of the Fanad peninsula. Enjoy a glass of wine by the roaring fire, settle down to drink in the views, and you may be lucky enough to catch sight of the aurora borealis in the night sky, or a glimpse of the whales, porpoises, and dolphins that thrive among the white-capped waves in this part of the ocean. If you don't wish to stay here, you can organize a separate tour of the lighthouse (€10 per person). Advance booking is required. A newly opened café in the grounds is open to all visitors for snacks and lunches.

Pros

  • Outstanding views
  • Unique accommodation
  • The waters are famed for cetaceans

Cons

  • Long way from nearby towns
  • Make your own meals
  • Two-night minimum stay
Letterkenny, Ireland
083-809–1199
www.fanadlighthouse.com
Hotel Details
3 houses
No Meals

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