County Mayo - Hotels & Guesthouses

PRICE KEY
B&B per person per night

€ - under 50

€€ - 50 to 75

€€€ - 75 to 100

€€€€ - 100 to 150

€€€€€ - over 150

Ashford Castle, Cong, Co. Mayo; tel. 094-954-6003; fax 094-954-6260; e-mail: ashford@ashford.ie. Dating back to 1228, this fairytale palace is Ireland's most impressive 5-star castle hotel, nestled in a bucolic setting beside Lough Corrib amid a nine-hole golf course and 450 forested and flowering acres. It sits on an isthmus of land that provided the backdrop for the 1952 film classic, The Quiet Man. With its turrets and towers, drawbridge and battlements, Ashford was originally a private home, evolving into a hotel in 1939. Since then, it has been enlarged and updated to world class standards. The interior is awash in baronial furniture, medieval armor, oak paneled walls and stairways, antiques, and original landscape paintings. The 83 guestrooms, many with canopy or four-poster beds, are outfitted with luxurious appointments, enhanced by views of Lough Corrib, Cong River, or the gardens. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars, boutique, leisure centre with a gym, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool, plus golf and tennis for guests. Also available (at extra charges) are horseback riding, fishing, falconry, boating, and cruising. All is fit for a king or queen or a big splurge. €€€€ to €€€€€   Web site:  www.ashford.ie

Belleek Castle, Belleek, Ballina, Co. Mayo, tel. 096-22400; email: belleekcastlehotel@eircom.net. Although it may be time-worn around the edges (and not as luxurious as Ashford), Belleek Castle is a romantic hotel, with turrets, towers, carved wooden walls and stairways, statuary, vintage tapestry wall hangings, and the trappings of a “real castle” (i.e. open fireplaces, dining by candlelight, four-poster beds, creaky floors, and no lift or air-conditioning). Hidden among 1,000 acres of woodlands along the River Moy beyond the town, and through an authentic stone gate with a long driveway leading in amid ancient trees, it is an ideal place for a romantic getaway, so it is not surprising that it is very popular for local weddings. There are 16 guest  rooms of varying size and décor, and a very atmospheric restaurant and bar. Closed: 9 January – 25 March. €€ to €€€€  Web site:  www.belleekcastle.com

Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, Co. Mayo; tel. 097-20600; e-mail: info@broadhavenbayhotel.com. Perched overlooking Broadhaven Bay off the Atlantic, this contemporary two-story hotel has brought a new reason to stay in the isolated rural corner of NW Mayo. It is like an oasis after miles of boglands and bumpy roads. The reception area, complete with marble flooring and grand piano, is bright and airy and the perky and cooperative staff provide a warm welcome.  Facilities include the Bayside restaurant, Kilmore Bar, both of which look out onto the bay; plus a leisure centre with heated indoor swimming pool, toddler's pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, gym, sunbed, aerobics studio and weights room.  The 70 guest rooms are outfitted with standard two-bed furnishings and all the usual amenities including flat screen TV, ironing facilities, coffee/tea-maker and in-room safe; suites have king-size beds and mini-bar. About half of the rooms have views of the bay.  Wireless internet access is also available in the public areas. There is ample free parking and the town center is less than a one mile walk. With its idyllic setting and relaxing aura, this hotel is very popular for Irish weddings, so expect to see a bride or two on almost any day of the week. Closed: 25 December. € to €€  Web site: www.broadhavenbay.com

Carlton Atlantic Coast Hotel, The Quay, Westport, Co. Mayo; tel. 098-29000; fax 098-29111; e-mail: reservations@atlanticcoasthotel.com. Set overlooking Clew Bay on Westport Quay, the four-story Atlantic Coast Hotel blends the best of old and new — a restored 19th century stone grain mill "born again" as a 21st century luxury hotel. Because of the hotel's location, most of the public areas overlook the waterfront and a nautical resort ambiance prevails. The Harbourmaster Bar is on the ground floor beside the main lobby, while the rooftop Blue Wave restaurant is on the fourth floor, with slanted windows looking out into the bay and an eye-catching decor of bold primary colors. The 85 guestrooms are contemporary in style, with all the modern comforts including internet access. Half of the rooms face the harbour and the other half look onto gardens. Facilities include enclosed parking area behind the hotel and a leisure center/spa with indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, seaweed hydrotherapy bath treatments, steam room, and gym. Closed: 23-27 Dec. €€ to €€€€  Web site:  www.atlanticcoasthotel.com

Downhill House Hotel, Downhill Road, off the Sligo Road (N 59), Ballina, Co. Mayo; tel. 096-21033; fax 096-21338; e-mail: info@downhillhotel.ie. Combining a 19th century manor house and a modern wing, this 3-star hotel has long been a dependable favorite with travelers to this area. It is not right in Ballina but a short drive (about a half- mile) to the north edge of town, set amid 40 acres of wooded grounds on the banks of the Brosna River, a River Moy tributary. The public areas combine "old Mayo" charm and an eclectic collection of furnishings and memorabilia. There are 62 guestrooms which vary in size, decor and vintage, but all have up-to-date amenities. Facilities include a restaurant overlooking Brosna Falls; piano bar with entertainment nightly (June-Sept.) and on weekends during the rest of the year. The real attraction here, however, is leisure activity, with fishing at the doorstep, 6 nearby 18-hole golf courses, and an on-premises leisure centre with indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, sunbed, and tennis courts. Closed: 22-27 Dec. €€€   Web site: www.downhillhotel.ie

Downhill Inn, Sligo Road (N 59), Ballina, Co. Mayo; tel. 096-73444; fax 096-73411; e-mail: thedownhillinn@eircom.net. For families or traveling triples, this motel-style 3-star inn is ideal - with 45 modern guestrooms, each accommodating up to 3 people at budget rates. A sister property to the Downhill Hotel, this two-story inn is located about one mile north of Ballina town. Facilities include restaurant and bar. Closed: 21-26 Dec. € to €€  Web site:  www.downhillinn.com

Enniscoe House, Castlehill, nr. Crossmolina, Ballina, Co. Mayo; tel. 096-31112; fax 096-31773; e-mail: mail@enniscoe.com. Looking for a genteel get-away-from-it-all atmosphere? Head 2 miles south of Crossmolina (or 12 southwest of Ballina) to this stately old Georgian manor, often described as "the last great house of North Mayo." Nestled beside Lough Conn and surrounded by a wooded estate, Enniscoe is the perfect place to banish stress and relax with a good book in the drawing room filled with family heirlooms, antique furniture and a crackling fireplace. Because it sits in the heart of prime fishing territory, this house has also long been a favorite haven for fishermen. Proprietor Susan Kellett, a descendant of the original family who settled the lands in the 1600s, offers 6 guestrooms, all individually furnished with huge hand-carved armoires and canopied or four-poster beds (but no TVs, no phones, or other 21st century distractions). The dining room is highly acclaimed for serving fish from local rivers, produce from the house's own farm, and vegetables and herbs from the adjacent kitchen garden. Facilities on the grounds include the Cloonamoyne Fishery, which arranges fishing trips for guests, and the North Mayo Heritage & Genealogy Centre. Closed: Nov.-Mar. €€€   Web site:  www.enniscoe.com

Ice House, The Quay, Ballina, Co. Mayo, tel. 096-23500, e-mail: chill@theicehouse.ie. Seeking an unusual and welcoming place to chill out?  This is it!. Tucked along the Moy River north of town, this 4-star hotel is literally perched on the riverfront. In fact, it seems as though it is on the water, which is an appropriate place since the building was once an ice house for the local fishing industry. The Pier Restaurant incorporates the arched and white-washed stone walls of the original ice house, with the appealing addition of 25-foot windows looking out onto the water. Four of the guest rooms are part of the original building, with vintage furnishings including cedar bathtubs, while the remainder of the 32 rooms are built into two new wings on the river. All the rooms are individually named and equipped with contemporary amenities including super-king bed with goose down duvet, flat screen TV, mini-bar, stereo, i-Pod docking station, floor-to-ceiling windows with river views, monsoon showers, and under-floor heating with blue lighting in the bathrooms; and some rooms have riverfront balconies.  Facilities include two outdoor hot tubs and a spa offering a range of facial and body treatments. €€ to €€€ Web site: www.icehousehotel.ie

Knock House Hotel, Ballyhaunis Road, Knock, Co. Mayo; tel. 094-938-8088; fax 094-938-8044; e-mail: info@knockhousehotel.ie. Set on 100 acres of parkland adjacent to the shrine grounds, this 3-star hotel has been cleverly designed to reflect the surrounding north Mayo landscape including a limestone facade. The foyer and lounge feature limestone walls, along with huge windows providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the silhouette of the Basilica several hundred yards away. The 68 guestrooms are contemporary and compact, with all the modern comforts needed by tourists or pilgrims. Six bedrooms are equipped for wheelchair users and one large room is designated as a medical assessment unit for guests who require special care. Facilities include the "Four Seasons" restaurant overlooking the garden, a contemporary-style lounge, a self-service daytime cafe, and an outdoor patio. Best of all, this hotel is within easy walking distance of all of the Knock Shrine attractions including the Basilica, as well as the main village thoroughfare. €€   Web site:  www.knockhousehotel.ie

Knockranny House Hotel, Castlebar Road, Westport, Co. Mayo; tel. 098-28600; fax 098-28611; e-mail: info@khh.ie. Sitting majestically atop a hillside on the eastern edge of Westport town, this 4-star hotel is designed in classic Victorian style with gables and towers and elaborate trim. The interior is full of character and spaciousness, with a traditional-style decor of open fireplaces and dark wood furnishings as well as skylights and wide windows. The 54 guest rooms contain all the modern amenities including internet access. Facilities include a conservatory, lounge bar, and a restaurant with bay windows that provide expansive views of the town of Westport, Croagh Patrick, and Clew Bay. Closed: 22-27 Dec. €€€ to €€€€  Web site:  www.khh.ie

Lisloughrey Lodge, Cong, Co. Mayo, tel. 094-954-5400; email: lodge@lisloughrey.ie. Sitting on 10 acres of land adjacent to Ashford Castle and overlooking Lough Corrib, this country new hotel is the epitome of a romantic getaway. The posh décor includes velvet and leather furnishings, rich red and silvery walls.  It incorporates the former home of the manager of the castle, with a new wing of courtyard rooms (28 regular bedrooms and 22 suites). All the guest rooms are individually designed and equipped with the latest technology - super-king beds, bespoke furniture, and flat screen TV, plus bathrooms with underfloor heating. Facilities include Salt restaurant and bar on the first floor of the original house overlooking Lough Corrib, and a spa with cedar hot tub, sauna, and gym. Outdoor activities include five walking trails, biking, boating, golf on the 9-hole Ashford course, and trout and salmon fishing in Lough Corrib.  €€€ to €€€€ Web Site: www.lisloughreylodge.ie

Mount Falcon Country House Hotel, Foxford Rd., Ballina, Co. Mayo; tel. 096-74472; e-mail: info@mountfalcon.com. Nestled amid 100 acres of forests and lakelands on the west bank of the River Moy three miles south of Ballina, this hotel has been recently renovated, enlarged and greatly enhanced. Dating back to 1876, it was built by the same man who designed Ashford Castle and Kylemore Abbey and hence its baronial structure and castle-like appearance. It was operated as a fishing lodge from 1932 until a few years ago when purchased in 2002 by the Maloney family who have spared no expense in transforming it into a 21st century resort.  Step inside the main house and enjoy the old world aura of decorative tile and hard wood floors, marble fireplaces, huge gilt-trimmed mirrors, hand-carved furnishings, and high wood-beamed ceilings and antiques. Public areas include the Kitchen restaurant (in the house’s original kitchen, with wooden beams, brick fireplace, and huge original posters of fish, cheese and other gourmet ingredients); a mahogany-trimmed bar; original wine cellar; traditional lounge (perfect for afternoon tea!); and a bright conservatory-style leisure centre equipped with spa, swimming pool, gym, steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi.  The guest rooms consist of 6 rejuvenated and regally-styled rooms in the main house, and 26 rooms of similar design in a new wing; plus accommodations in 45 self-catering cottages (with 3 or 4 bedrooms, each with private bath), located on the estate in woodland, lakeland or courtyard settings. The grounds include walking trails; a cut-stone castle-like tower; helipad; an expansive meadow with mountains in the background and wooden tables and chairs overlooking the setting; and the Mount Falcon Fishery, providing two miles of salmon fishing for guests.  Closed: 24-27 December and January. €€ to €€€  Web site: www.mountfalcon.com

Mulranny Park Hotel, Mulrany, Co. Mayo (tel. 098-36000, fax 098-36899, email: info@mulrannyparkhotel.ie.  For outdoor relaxation in an off-the-beaten-track setting, this hotel offers blue flag beach swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, hill walking, and nearby golf. Set on an idyllic 42 acre woodland hillside overlooking Clew Bay at the gateway to Achill Island, it dates back to 1897, constructed by the Midland Great Western Railways. It flourished during the lifetime of the railway between Westport and Achill, and later as a tour hotel as part of the Great Southern chain, but then it closed in the 1970s. The site laid dormant for a number of years until it was totally refurbished and reborn in 2005. Thankfully, the original charming façade has been retained while the interior is totally revitalized with a contemporary décor and modern style. The 40 guestrooms offer king or queen size beds, flat screen TV, internet access, modern landscape art, and views of Clew Bay or the woodlands. Beatle fans should request the unique John Lennon Suite, a retro-style room where Lennon overnighted in the 1960’s. The hotel’s facilities include the Nephin Restaurant and Waterfront Bar, both with views of the bay, and a leisure centre with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hot tub, sauna, gym, and more. Closed: 24-26 December. €€ to €€€   Web site: www.mulrannyparkhotel.ie

Quay West, Quay Road, Westport, Co. Mayo; tel. 098-27863; fax 098-28379; e-mail: quaywest@eircom.net. With a distinctive brick-and-stone fa?ade, this Georgian-style purpose-built guesthouse stands out on the road connecting downtown Westport to the quay area. Proprietor David Kelly offers 6 guestrooms, all outfitted with the latest amenities including power showers, orthopedic beds, and TV. Closed: 24 - 27 Dec.   Web site:  www.quaywestport.com

Stella Maris Country House Hotel, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo, tel. 096-43322; fax 096-43965; email: info@stellamarisireland.com . No wonder that this hotel's name means "Star of the Sea"– it overlooks Bahnatrahir Bay and Downpatrick Head on the north coast of Co. Mayo, just 1.5 miles west of Ballycastle. Built in 1853 as a coast guard regional headquarters, it was later used as a convent, before being given new life as a country inn at the start of the 21st century.   It is a real oasis of luxury and style in an area with sparse accommodation choices and has already qualified as a member of Ireland's Blue Book. Proprietors Frances Kelly and Terence McSweeney provide a warm atmosphere with antiques interspersed with comfortable leather furniture. Most of the 12 guest rooms have mesmerizing views of the sea. Public areas include a fine restaurant (open to non-guests), bar, lounge and a 100-foot glass-enclosed conservatory that faces the waterfront (see photo above).   €€€ to €€€€   Closed: early October to early April.  Web site: www.StellaMarisIreland.com

Hotel Westport, Newport Rd., Westport, Co. Mayo, tel. 098-25122; fax 098-26739; email: info@hotelwestport.ie. Set in private parklands next to the picturesque and walkable Georgian town of Westport, this award-winning hotel has been expanded and enhanced over the years, now with 129 guest rooms featuring every modern amenity and a very helpful and welcoming staff. The public areas include an atmospheric bar and a top-notch restaurant. In addition, the hotel has a leisure centre with indoor heated swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, sunbed, and steam room, and a new health and beauty spa. A "riverwalk" behind the hotel leads into the heart of town. Look out for some excellent money-saver 2- and 3-night specials on the hotel web site. Web site: www.hotelwestport.ie

Westport Plaza Hotel, Castlebar St., Westport, Co. Mayo, tel. 098-51166, fax 098-51133, email: info@westportplazahotel.ie, is the first 4-star standard hotel in downtown Westport, conveniently located next to its sister hotel, the 3-star Castlecourt.  Formed from five original Georgian buildings that have been enlarged and enhanced, the hotel fits right into the streetscape although its modern entrance is reached via an off-street archway and courtyard. The interior décor is contemporary and dazzling with lots of marble, dark woods, plants and velour furnishings in the public areas.  The 94 guest rooms have all the latest amenities including king-size beds and air conditioning, and some rooms have balconies. Facilities include the posh Merlot Restaurant and Plaza Bar as well as access to the Castlecourt Leisure Centre. An in-house spa is due to open in late 2006.  Closed: 24-26 December. €€€ to €€€€   Web site: www.westportplazahotel.ie

The Wyatt Hotel, The Octagon, Westport, Co. Mayo; tel. 098-25027; fax 098-26316; email: info@wyatthotel.com.   An unbeatable location is the trademark of this hotel, sitting in the hub of town beside the Octagon. Built in the 1930's and known originally as The Central, it was totally refurbished and expanded at the start of the 21st century, and renamed after James Wyatt who laid out the town. The decor is fresh and contemporary in the public areas (restaurant and bar on ground floor, and clubby resident's lounge on 1st floor); and the 52 modern guest rooms are small but smartly furnished.   If you come to Westport without a car, it is an ideal location for walking, and if you have a car, there is ample secure underground parking. € to €€€ Closed: 24-26 Dec.

Web site:   www.wyatthotel.com

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