Ring of Kerry hotels for luxurious living and dreamy views

The Ring of Kerry – part of the Wild Atlantic Way – is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s not hard to see why. With spectacular natural beauty, it showcases the best landscapes the country has to offer; think meandering rivers, steep mountains and peaceful lakes.

There’s plenty of history to explore, too, whether it’s Skellig Michael or Muckross Abbey, plus attractions like Torc Waterfall and the Gap of Dunloe.

After a day boating around the lakes of Killarney National Park, head back to the neighbouring historic estate of Cahernane House Hotel, built in 1877. You’ll be welcomed back by gorgeous antiques and oil paintings that nod to the building’s heritage – a grand backdrop for a special weekend away.

Take a seat in the opulent dining room with its Instagram-worthy views out over the gardens to the distant Purple Mountains. In this award-winning restaurant, the head chef creates dishes with local ingredients like Castletownbere scallops, Kerry lamb and Irish Hereford beef. For pre-dinner drinks – or a sneaky tipple before bed – wander down to the wine cellar. Here, you can work your way through a range of whiskeys and gins from the tasting menu or switch things up by trying the hotel’s signature spiced rum cocktail.

Rooms at Cahernane House combine the manor’s original features, like large sash windows, with antique-inspired patterned wallpapers and textiles for a classic Victorian feel. For a bit of luxury, the marble bathroom in your suite has a Jacuzzi bath just waiting for you to sink into.

The Great Southern Killarney sits in 6 acres of historic gardens and has been welcoming guests for more than 160 years. In the pillared Grand Foyer, featuring the original Victorian design, you can order a tasty afternoon tea with warm home-made scones or head to Brownes Bar for something a little stronger. In its cosy Whiskey Corner, pick one of almost 200 bottles sourced as near as Scotland or as far as Japan (with some home choices as well, of course).

Stay in one of the rooms in the original house with lofty ceilings and tall windows, or go for a refined space with more of a modern feel in the newer Garden Wing. In each room, traditional details give an authentic vibe, while silky curtains, patterned wallpaper and crisp white linens add a bit of flair.

Take a seat under the impressive golden-dome ceiling of the Garden Room Restaurant and order dishes that give a taste of Kerry – including freshly baked bread from the hotel’s bakery and local meat from nearby farms. The sommelier will help you choose a bottle from the extensively stocked wine cellar to toast with during your meal.

In the Dunloe Hotel & Gardens you can check out the ruins of a 12th-century castle or discover plants from all over the world beside the remains of a medieval keep. Make your way down to the River Laune for an afternoon of fishing or trekking round the park on Haflinger ponies. With 64 acres of grounds, there’s plenty to explore. For indoor relaxation, the luxurious spa is ideal for a calming swim or massage.

Inspired by the nearby lakes, rivers and ocean, the Grill restaurant’s menu has a great selection of seafood – from local crab and monkfish to salmon and sea bass. In the intimate bar, you can unwind with a pint of ale and be entertained by live music.

Rooms make the most of the countryside location with balconies or terraces overlooking the grounds and the Gap of Dunloe. Indulge in a much-deserved rest after treks through the sandstone MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range in the massaging bubbles of your Jacuzzi bath. For a true pampering session, upgrade your break by booking a stay in the wood-panelled suite, which has its very own steam room.

Creative details, heritage design and an ESPA spa – the Europe Hotel & Resort is a world away from the everyday. Treat yourself to a stay in an elegant room decorated in calming natural tones­ with a spacious balcony. It’s a great spot to take in views of the dramatic scenery as you settle down with your latest page-turner.

As the name suggests, the hotel’s Panorama Restaurant offers fine dining as well as uninterrupted vistas across the landscape. The menu here is just as impressive, filled with locally landed fish like wild Atlantic turbot and rich game like Kerry venison. On sunny days, eat outside as the sun warms your skin on the Brasserie’s terrace and watch chefs flame-cook your steak to order at the open grill.

In the hotel’s lakeside spa you’ll take in the views over Loch Léin to the majestic hills beyond as you swim in the pool or sink into the plush loungers. For an afternoon of pure relaxation, book a therapy that blends modern treatments with ancient techniques, like the bespoke total body experience with hot stones.

Sat on the banks of Loch Léin, The Lake Hotel is surrounded by the region’s mountains, ancient woodlands and ruins of 12th-century McCarthy Mór Castle – views that can be seen from your room and balcony. Take in the scenery while wrapped up in a fluffy robe after a soothing dip in your Jacuzzi bathtub. Four-poster rooms with working fires have a luxe yet cosy feel for you to warm up in when it’s chilly out.

After hiking the Devil’s Punchbowl, treat tired feet with a therapy like the revitalising walker’s foot and leg massage in the hotel’s spa. Then chill out in the sauna and steam room – which is free for all guests – before upping the indulgence with a soak in the outdoor hot tub.

From under the high ceilings of its dining room, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant gives you a taste of the local area. Huge windows frame the dramatic County Kerry landscape, while walls are decorated with polished mirrors that lend even more of a sense of space. Tuck into fresh seafood like Dingle Bay crab and house-smoked sea trout before finishing the evening with a delicious board of local cheeses.

The boutique-style Victoria House Hotel mixes historic features like an antique iron fireplace with leather Chesterfields and quirky chandeliers to create a style with its own personality. This unique design scheme continues in the chic Sika restaurant’s dining room, with its elegant candelabras. The tempting dinner menu here is complete with locally sourced ingredients – from Atlantic sea bass to Irish steak and home-made dished like apple crumble. In the cosy Ivy Room bar, nestle into the tall-back armchairs in front of a crackling fire and munch on warm home-made scones.

Each guest room at the hotel is individually designed with modern luxury in mind: think feature lamps, plush armchairs and ornate mirrors. Patterned wallpapers alongside antique wardrobes add real character. The super-sleek bathrooms are covered in polished tiles and feature a spacious walk-in shower and deluxe toiletries. Fancy a treat? Opt for a room with its own Jacuzzi tub.

Positioned along the scenic Muckross Road by Loch Léin, Victoria House Hotel is a half-an-hour’s walk from Killarney town and an 11 minute drive from the grand Muckross House if you feel like exploring the historic local buildings.

In the middle of Killarney town, the family-run Scotts Hotel has perfected its mix of homely design and luxury. For firm favourites and fantastically presented dishes, head to the Courtyard Restaurant where the day begins with tempting plates like crispy rashers and egg and ends with dishes such as home-made soup and Irish lamb in front of an open fire. It doesn’t get much cosier than this! In the buzzing Scotts bar, sit on the leather stools and order a dram of whiskey as an ideal partner for the live local music.

Luxurious rooms feature many of the comforts of home. Make your stay one to remember by booking a spacious Deluxe Room or suite with a private balcony and large windows – you’ll have your very own lookout post across the town and the distant mountains. Inside, there’s a soft king-size bed to lounge on while munching on complimentary chocolates washed down with a frothy Nespresso. Spend an hour in the freestanding bathtub before bed, or have a refreshing splash in the morning in your walk-in shower.

After wandering around Killarney National Park, just a 3 minute drive away, pamper yourself in Randles Hotel’s spa. Let the heat of the dry sauna soothe your muscles or sit in the steam room to detoxify skin before a revitalising swim in the heated pool. There are plenty of luxe treatments to choose from, too, including rejuvenating facials and stress-relieving massages.

Decorated with antique-style furniture like wing-back chairs and ornate lamps, rooms here have a traditional design to complement the hotel’s Edwardian-era heritage. You’ll also find loads of high-tech add-ons, from widescreen satellite TVs to laptop chargers built into safes, and a marble bathroom with a bubbling Jacuzzi.

Dining at the hotel is always an occasion, with silverware and crisp napkins laid out even for breakfast. Feast on dishes like locally smoked salmon and eggs or Irish porridge made with organic honey – or even a dash of whiskey! In the darkly sophisticated Wiggs Bar, settle into the leather chairs for something warming like Kerry Coast seafood chowder or fish and chips made with the catch of the day.