Lodging

In Dublin and other cities, boutique hotels blend luxury with contemporary (and often truly Irish) design. Manors and castles boast a unique combination of luxury and history. Less impressive, but equally charming, are the provincial inns and country hotels with simple but adequate facilities.

Fáilte Ireland has a grading system and maintains a list of registered hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, farmhouses, hostels, and campgrounds. For each accommodation, the list gives a maximum charge that can't be exceeded without special authorization. Prices must be displayed in every room; if the hotel oversteps its limit, don't hesitate to complain.

Don't depend on the address used on your accommodation provider's website. Request an Eircode (www.eircode.ie), which gives the exact location of every property in Ireland.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

B&Bs are classified either as town homes, country homes, or farmhouses. Most B&Bs have private bathrooms for most bedrooms, but don't expect this as a matter of course. Some B&Bs are on farms, but the "farmhouses" are more likely to be modern bungalows or undistinguished two-story houses than creeper-clad Georgian mansions. However, there are some mansions offering B&B rooms, and they are priced accordingly.

At the lower end of the price scale, expect to pay an average of €30–€40 per person per night. Ask for a reduction if staying more than one night. Many travelers don't bother booking a B&B in advance. They are so plentiful in rural areas that it's often more fun to leave the decision open, allowing yourself a choice of final destinations for the night. Long holiday weekends are the exception to this rule, with B&Bs often getting booked up far in advance, so keep an eye on the calendar. If you want to be sure of staying in a family home, check out the places listed by Family Homes of Ireland.

Castles and Manors

In line with the overall recovery in the hotel industry, Ireland's luxury heritage hotels like Adare Manor (County Limerick), Dromoland Castle (County Clare), and Ashford Castle (County Mayo) have undergone significant restorations recently. Smaller manor houses set on private estates still retain the essence of their original purpose and can be booked through Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants or Hidden Ireland.