Our favourite family-friendly hotels in Ireland: fun for all ages

There are more than 100 family rooms at the Pillo Hotel and Spa Ashbourne, and all of them feature bright colours and plush furnishings to create a cosy haven to relax in. To keep young ones entertained, the hotel offers a kids’ club where they can play dress-up and storytelling, as well as a children’s playroom, which has toys and games .

Situated just 20km from Dublin’s city centre and 30 minutes’ drive from Meath, Ireland’s heritage capital, this hotel’s location means you’re within easy reach of several family-friendly attractions. Fun outings should definitely include a trip to Tayto Park, where you can check out the 5-D cinema, extreme climbing wall and giant rollercoaster. There’s also a zoo where children can discover the enormous American bison, Amur tiger and rare ocelot.

If they still have some energy to burn off, visit Clann, the hotel’s fitness and leisure centre, where children can splash around in the shallow kids’ pool. When it’s time for the grown-ups to relax, head to elegant Jule Beauty and Spa with its crystal chandeliers and marble floors. Unwind with a massage or facial, or treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure.

Introduce the kids to the beauty of the great outdoors at Parknasilla Hotel. You’ll find it nestled within a 500-acre, secluded world of its own, which includes mysterious islands, peaceful inlets and secret beaches that are perfect for budding explorers. Overlooking the rugged Kenmare Bay, this is the perfect place to get the kiddies off the iPad and reconnecting with nature.

An outdoorsy feel even permeates the spa – the ideal escape for when the children are practicing their strokes in the dedicated kids’ pool. A majestic woodland backdrop frames treatment suites of deep olive, stone and mahogany. Recline on heated relaxation loungers, experience the detoxifying properties of the thermal suite and cleanse underneath hydrotherapy showers, so you’re fully restored and ready for more family fun.

Following an afternoon of relaxing, splashing around in the pool or following the fairy trail through the woods, dine en-famille in the refined Pygmalion Restaurant. Kids can tuck into treats like crispy tempura cod and hearty flame-grilled beef burgers, while you sample local delights such as salty scallops – these come fresh from the bay you’ll admire through the restaurant windows.

Give your family holiday a luxe edge at Newpark Hotel, a 19th-century mansion located in quaint, medieval Kilkenny. Little legs and big imaginations can run wild in the 40-acre estate of green parkland, which includes a petting zoo, go-karting track and an obstacle course held high up in the tree-tops. Half a mile away, you’ll find even more adventure at the Kilkenny Activity Centre.

There’s plenty to do for adults, too – start at the hotel’s Escape Spa, where soft lighting and leafy ferns make you feel as though you’ve wandered into a tropical jungle. Relax in the indoor or outdoor infinity pool, enjoy a massage or facial in the treatment rooms with luxurious Aveda products, or indulge in a beautifying manicure or pedicure.

After a day of adventurous outdoor experiences or indoor spa luxury, head back to your spacious family room. Textured wallpaper and heavy, silky throws create a comforting ambience, while interconnecting rooms mean that everyone is close while still having their own space. Rise early to watch the sun rise over the parkland, a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

Amber Springs Hotel and Spa is what family holiday dreams are made of. There are 30 specially-designed family rooms, each decorated in warm tones and bathed in natural light, while executive family rooms offer a sumptuous double bed and two singles, as well as a bubbling Jacuzzi bath for the grown-ups.

Situated between serene sandy beaches and the bustling market town of Gorey, here you can spend your days getting competitive on the mini-golf course, zooming around a go-karting track or dining on succulent steaks from Angus Cattle reared at the hotel’s own farm.

Then, of course, there’s the spa, where you can experience the Dry Float, a treatment which allows your body to relax without the effects of gravity, like having a full night’s sleep in just 30 minutes. Or, take a dip in the balneotherapy bath, which uses mineral water to soothe ailments, or indulge in a massage or facial in one of the treatment suites with pampering products by Elemis. Lie back in the Lotus Suite underneath a canopy of twinkling stars between treatments to relax even more. There’s also a sauna, hot tub, fitness studio and 18 metre pool.

Discover a slower, simpler way of life at the rugged yet luxurious Mount Falcon Country House. Thrill the kids with hands-on activities, which range from learning about the time-honoured tradition of falconry, to taking aim with a bow and arrow at archery practice. Keen (and amateur) fishermen and women can try their hand at salmon fishing on the River Moy or learn to fish in the hotel’s lake.

For downtime indoors, visit the spa, where decadent Elemis and organic Neom products are used to create a sensory experience. Radiance-boosting facials are the key to glowing skin, while aching muscles are gently stretched with a soothing massage. Specialised treatments target specific wellbeing concerns – indulge in a sleep-focused session to enhance your rest time, or stimulate your senses with an energise treatment.

A cosy lodge is your sanctuary at Mount Falcon Country House. It’s hard to choose between the possible locations – woodland lodges are nestled in a mature forest, while the waterside equivalent overlooks the serene lake. Open-plan living allows your family to spread out in the same space, while underfloor heating promotes a luxurious and restful ambience.

Hiding like a pearl within 400 acres of rolling countryside, Druids Glen Hotel and Golf resort allows you and the kids to experience the full beauty of Ireland’s magical countryside, from its heather-carpeted hills to the placid cobalt lakes.

There are plenty of natural wonders waiting for the family to explore, such as the historic Killruddery House and Gardens, or windswept Kilcoole Beach. There’s also plenty to do indoors back at the hotel. The swimming pool has special swim times just for kids and there’s a huge DVD library for rainy days – during the school holidays there’s also a kid club that includes dinner.
Family rooms have a king-sized bed for the adults, a double bed for children and space for a travel cot, so you’ll have plenty of sleeping space. You’ll find warm touches like tartan throws and sumptuous armchairs set within a relaxing palette of olive greens, creams and soft heather that reflects the leafy scenery outside your window.

For pure relaxation discover the spa, which uses softly flickering candles and soothing essential oils to create a cosy cocoon of tranquillity. Pamper yourself with a massage, facial, body scrub or foot treatment. Afterwards, unwind in the Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, plunge pool or 18 metre swimming pool.

At Knightsbrook Spa and Golf, family rooms offer the cosy comforts of home. A double bed and two singles provide plenty of space for everyone to sleep, while the plush surroundings with accents of dark wood and lots of natural light feel high-end yet welcoming. When they’re not relaxing in the spacious room, kids can hang out in the games area or explore the hotel’s indoor water park, Funtasia.

Let your body and mind relax at the River Spa. Once ensconced in a softly shimmering haven of deep purple drapes and lanterns, treat yourself to a hydrating facial, sleep-enhancing massage, detoxifying body scrub or wrap. Indulge in a manicure or pedicure to return from your family break feeling polished and rejuvenated.

Knightsbrook Spa and Golf sits in the heart of the verdant Boyne Valley, not far from the capital. You can sample all the city has to offer here, while also unwinding in a rural oasis. For those who appreciate the tranquillity of green space, the hotel features a championship golf course designed by Christy O’Connor Jr, as well as 186 acres of serene parkland.