Staying in Ireland: Best Family-Friendly Accommodations

A bad hotel or uncomfortable sleeping arrangements can ruin an otherwise perfect Irish vacation. When traveling with children, your accommodation is more than just a place to sleep; it’s your home base, your sanctuary, and your logistical hub.

Before you book, you must consider not only the cost but the amenities, location, and space. Do you need laundry? Will you be driving to a restaurant, or walking? Do you need adjoining rooms for privacy?

This guide, part of your complete resource Traveling in Ireland with Kids: A Complete Family Guide, explores the three best accommodation types for families and gives you the crucial checklist of amenities that determine whether your stay will be stressful or seamless.

1. The Three Best Accommodation Types for Families

Type A: The Traditional B&B (Bed & Breakfast)

• The Vibe: Authentic Irish charm. Personalized service, often run by warm, welcoming local hosts. They often provide the best advice on Kid-Friendly Walks and Nature Trails in Ireland.
• Pros: Home-cooked, full Irish breakfasts are included (a huge savings). Host knowledge is invaluable. Often located in quiet, scenic spots.
• Cons: Rooms are generally smaller, and often lack laundry facilities. It is rare to find adjoining rooms, meaning families may need two separate spaces.
• The Driver Link: The best, most charming B&Bs are often located outside city centers, making a private driver essential for easy access and late-night returns after visiting Eating Out in Ireland with Kids: Best Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Type B: The Serviced Apartment / Holiday Home

• The Vibe: Space, freedom, and domestic self-sufficiency.
• Pros: Laundry facilities (Washing Machine/Dryer) are almost always included—a non-negotiable for longer trips (see What to Pack for Ireland with Kids: The Essential Family Packing List). A separate kitchen allows you to prepare quick meals and manage complex food allergies or early wake-ups (How to Handle Jet Lag and Time Zone Changes for Kids in Ireland).
• Cons: Fewer services (no daily cleaning). Requires more personal planning for transport and meals.
• The Location: Apartments are excellent for week-long stays in Dublin or Galway.

Type C: The Family-Friendly Hotel

• The Vibe: Reliability, amenities, and on-site dining.
• Pros: Access to pools, gyms, concierge services, and the ability to book adjoining rooms or large suites. Dedicated kids' clubs (common near major Seasonal Events and Festivals in Ireland That Kids Will Love).
• Cons: High cost. Less authentic experience. Often less space than an apartment.
• The Tip: Look for hotels near major parks (like the ones near Phoenix Park) or on the coastal edge of cities (like Salthill in Galway) for easy access to running space.

2. The Essential Family Accommodation Checklist

When searching online, filter for these non-negotiable amenities:

• Family Rooms/Adjoining Options: This is the most critical item. Confirm the exact sleeping arrangements (a twin bed and a couch, or two double beds?). A good hotel will have dedicated family suites.
• On-Site Laundry Access: A washing machine and dryer are a massive benefit for trips longer than five days. This allows you to pack light and manage the wear-and-tear from days spent at muddy The Best Castles in Ireland for Families.
• Blackout Curtains: Crucial during the Irish summer, when the sun can be up before 5 AM and down after 10 PM. This is non-negotiable for combating jet lag.
• Breakfast Flexibility: Does the hotel offer an early or grab-and-go option for jet-lagged early risers?
• Proximity to Play: Is there a park, playground, or beach within a short walking distance? This is vital for burning off energy before a long drive or a train journey (Navigating Ireland’s Public Transport & Car Rentals with Kids).

3. Strategic Location: Dublin vs. Galway

Your accommodation choice should align with your itinerary:

Dublin (The Urban Base)

If you are planning to spend days at Best Things to Do in Dublin with Kids and using public transport, stay near the Green Luas Line (south side) or near Heuston Station. Avoid Temple Bar, which is too loud and crowded at night for families.

Galway (The West Base)

Galway is a better location for a family holiday home or apartment rental.

• Salthill: Highly recommended. This seaside suburb is safe, quiet, has excellent restaurants, and features the famous Salthill Promenade for easy walks. It's a short taxi ride to the city center and offers easy launch access for Kid-Friendly Day Trips from Galway.

4. The Private Driver’s Role in Accommodation Choice

The choice of transport dictates your choice of lodging.

If you choose to self-drive, you are limited to hotels with ample parking—which often means large, bland chain hotels on the outskirts of the city.

A private driver-guide opens up the most unique and charming accommodation options:

1. Access to Hidden Gems: Your driver can safely transport you and your family to the highest-rated, charming, and often remote B&Bs that have no taxi service and are impossible to reach via public transport.
2. No Parking Stress: You eliminate the single biggest stress factor of staying in a city center (e.g., parking your car in a €30-per-day garage and hauling luggage through a crowded street). Your driver drops you at the front door.
3. Luggage Management: Whether you are moving from a hotel in Dublin to a holiday home in Galway, your driver handles the transfer of all your luggage (including the inevitable extra bags from souvenir shopping), ensuring a smooth, seamless check-in and check-out process.

By hiring a driver, you are buying the freedom to choose the best, most authentic accommodation for your family, rather than the most accessible.

Choose Freedom Over Frustration

Don't let your accommodation choice be limited by logistics. By using a private driver, you buy the freedom to stay in charming B&Bs, remote coastal cottages, or city apartments without the stress of parking, loading, and navigating.

Find a Family-Friendly Driver/Guide for Seamless Transfers Now →