Boutique hotels in Ireland: our most luxurious finds

It’s easy to see why the refined Twelve Hotel won the accolade of ‘Best Boutique Hotel in Ireland’ six years in a row. When it comes to the bedrooms, traditional comfort meets modern convenience: think dark hardwood floors, work by local artists and a roaring fireplace, as well as customised mood lighting and an oversized Jacuzzi bath.

Foodies should head straight to the award-winning West Restaurant with its sleek San Francisco-styled interior and glittering champagne bar. Indulge in a seasonal menu influenced by traditional practices like foraging and fishing. Pizza Dozzina serves up the quintessential crispy, ever-so-slightly-charred slice from an authentic MV Napoli Forni pizza oven. If you’re looking for a sweet snack, don’t miss the on-site bakery – let yourself be tempted by the zingy lemon tart.

Take a day of peace to yourself and head to the spa. Le Petit Spa is secluded and softly lit, offering a decadent menu of treatments. Indulge in facials, massages or a marine wrap. Or, for an extra touch of luxury, ask the butler to prepare a bath for you in the comfort of your room, using seaweed leaf baths, using ingredients indigenous to the Irish sea. Bliss.

The gentle blue sea is the star of the show at this 5-star hotel in Ardmore. French doors in the rooms offer sweeping views of the water and let natural light flood in for the ultimate coastal escape. At the exclusive, three-bedroomed Cliff Cottage, you’ll be able to relax among crisp white and blue interiors in serene privacy.

This is the place to take time out for yourself and rejuvenate. At the hotel’s spa, The Well by the Sea, lounge in a 15 metre indoor swimming pool before floor-to-ceiling windows that make you feel as if the pool simply drips into the sea. As well as a natural rock pool waiting for you at low tide, there’s an outdoor Jacuzzi, terrace, sauna, steam room and gym. Unwind with a massage or facial in the treatment rooms.

You don’t need to journey far to find gourmet cuisine. The hotel’s House restaurant celebrates the simple beauty of ingredients from the sea and countryside surrounding Cliff House, an approach which has garnered a coveted Michelin star. Menus change with the seasons, but expect innovative dishes like wild Irish venison with apple kombucha.

Housed within historic Victorian buildings, sophisticated bedrooms make up the understated Sandymount Hotel. Located in the distinguished Dublin 4 area, the hotel is next to Aviva Stadium. The heart of Dublin is only minutes away by DART rail, yet here you retain the exclusive feel of the quiet neighbourhood location.

Rooms at Sandybrook seamlessly fuse traditional comfort with effortless elegance. Striking pastel tones, contemporary artwork and geometric patterns create a modern feel, while textured fabric headboards and crushed velvet throws mean that cosiness is a top priority. Get ready in your spacious en suite in the morning, then savour a steaming cup of coffee before heading out to explore Dublin for the day.

The Line Out Bar is the ideal place to bask in a relaxed atmosphere infused with classic Irish hospitality. Try comforting dishes – such as rich beef stew enhanced by a splash of Guinness – in its low-lit ambience of industrial-inspired exposed brick. The rugby photos on the walls are a warm tribute to the nearby stadium.

Discover nostalgic Georgian charm lovingly preserved at Hotel Buswells. From the second you step into the ornately decorated reception with its gilded mirrors, traditional wallpaper and gleaming dark wood, you enter a world of impeccable Irish hospitality and unashamed luxury.

This old-world theme is continued into Buswells Bar, where supple dark leather chairs and carved wood create a calming and vintage-inspired ambience. The daytime menu includes sweet and savoury breakfast favourites to prepare you for exploring the heart of Dublin, as well as sandwiches and light bites. In the evening, sample traditional favourites such as baked salmon and creamy mash, washed down with local ales or a glass of crisp chardonnay.

When the day comes to a close, retire to your spacious room, which has been designed with your relaxation in mind. Seating upholstered with textured tapestry fabric and thick throws of ruby velvet help to create an opulent haven, where you can drift off beneath a soft white duvet. Awake feeling rejuvenated, and sip on complimentary tea and coffee before starting the next day.

You’ll be in prime position to explore Limerick’s historic quarter at No 1 Pery Square Hotel and Spa. When you’re not strolling through the leafy People’s Park or browsing the fresh produce at the Milk Market, sample modern cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, Sash.

You can choose from three types of room at No 1 Pery Square Hotel and Spa – period rooms, club rooms and the Townhouse Suite. The four period rooms each celebrate old-world charm, with sumptuous furnishings and elegant crystal light fixtures. Club rooms offer a blend of heritage features and contemporary furnishings – you can start your day here in the invigorating monsoon shower. A stay in the Townhouse Suite includes panoramic views over Limerick and the option to book in-room spa treatments.

Journey down into the hotel’s vaulted cellar to discover the spa. Recline in the steam room, coal bunker sauna or Irish mist shower before treating yourself to a pampering massage, facial or pedicure.

It’s difficult to pinpoint one particular highlight that makes the Montenotte so special, but it might have something to do with the in-house Cameo Cinema, which showcases nostalgic favourites in an intimate setting. Or perhaps it’s the Panorama Bistro Terrace, a cantilevered terrace where you can sample tapas favourites like nutty mushroom bruschetta enhanced by the sights and sounds of Cork down below.

The Montenotte also coaxes your mind to relax and your worries to drift away in the award-winning Bellevue Boutique Spa. Expect softly flickering candles in ornate lanterns, colourful blooms spilling from glass vases and soothing neutral tones. Treat your skin to a facial, body wrap or scrub, or allow your muscles to melt with a massage. Afterwards, spend the afternoon relaxing in the 20 metre indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi or gym.

Every detail of your room has been carefully considered, from the eye-catching pops of colour to the city-inspired artwork adorning the walls. In the morning, roll out of your crisp cotton bedsheets, make a cup of fresh coffee and begin your day with a refreshing rainforest shower.

Wineport Lodge is located on the banks of the peaceful Lough Ree. The rustic wood of the jetty trails from the water to the hotel’s exterior and into the rooms, for a feeling of the outdoors coming in. Every room offers panoramic views of the lake – it’s hard to beat waking up to the sight of sunrise setting the still waters alight.

As you’d expect from a lodge with beginnings as a restaurant, the dining experiences at Wineport Lodge are carefully crafted. Dining-room interiors are simple and streamlined to allow the flavours and cooking techniques to shine. Taste local ingredients like delicious smoky salmon as you admire the changing light over the water.

Achieve ultimate relaxation in the hotel spa. As with every other aspect of Wineport Lodge, it takes its inspiration from the spectacular scenery just outside – warm hues, pockets of light and floral touches create a soothing oasis. Pamper yourself with Voya treatments, which include facials, massages, body scrubs and bath retreats in a large outdoor tub with views of the lake. Waxing, manicures and pedicures are the ideal finishing touches.

If you look for sumptuous comfort from your hotel room, the Dylan Hotel won’t disappoint. Rooms here celebrate the hotel’s Victorian past with quirky portholes and vaulted ceilings, while decadent touches include Villeroy & Boch deep soak bath-tubs. But alongside all this old-empire lushness, they also have a very modern edge – play your favourite music on the Bose Bluetooth speaker and treat yourself to a Nespresso coffee first thing in the morning.

This sense of historic charm given a contemporary update is continued in the Tavern Restaurant. Fresh and light-filled, it’s the ideal place for casual dining. Experience the fine foods local Irish producers have to offer with innovative dishes such as roasted yellow beetroot with tangy blue cheese and subtle hints of fennel.

You’ll find the opulent Dylan Bar just next door to the restaurant. Soak up sunshine on the outdoor terrace and treat your taste buds to a cocktail. The master bartenders whip up unusual combinations using ingredients like chilli-infused vodka and Mozart white chocolate liqueur.