11 Great Hotels in Connemara (castles, family hotels & more)

Note: I work hard putting these free guides together for you. If you click on a link, I may get paid a small commission, at no extra cost to you! Thanks a million for helping offset the monthly costs of running this site.

Hotels in Connemara – our tips before you book

• Before booking, ask yourself if you’d like to to base yourself in a town (such as Clifden), a coastal location, or inland. Bear in mind that some hotels may close for the winter (e.g. Connemara Sands)
• Clifden is a lively little town and has a good choice of shops, craft shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants. It’s also located near many famous sights like Sky Road, Connemara National Park and Kylemore.
• Many hotels in Connemara are in very remote and off-grid, but in truly spectacular locations. For many, this is the exact reason they wish to stay here, for others it may feel too remote. Look at our map below in advance.
• Don’t book last minute, especially from May to September. Accommodation is limited and will be booked out well in advance.
• You will need a car to access many hotels in the more rural areas. In any case, we highly recommend exploring Connemara by car.

Our Favourite Connemara Hotels in Detail

Ballynahinch Castle: Perfect for castle luxury in a spectacular setting

A magical hotel, and one I have been fortunate to experience a few years ago.

Built in the 18th century, the 4-star castle is located on the Ballynahinch Estate, with nothing but wild Connemara beauty in every direction. This hotel is off-grid, but its unique location along the Owenmore river, surrounded by mountains, means there are few hotels in Ireland like it.

The main points that stick out in my mind after my visit were the beautiful looped walks, the views from the tastefully decorated Owenmore restaurant and the general homely, comfortable old-time feel about the place. Oh, and the free use of Wellington boots and raingear was a great touch!

Relaxing in the bar with a blazing open fire and a pint of Guinness in hand was the best way to end the evening. A visit here is a special experience.

Abbeyglen Castle: Perfect for old-style comfort & luxury

Another top-notch 4 star hotel and located just outside the town of Clifden, Abbeyglen is an other hotel that exudes in old-style comfort and luxury.

Although on the higher price end and certainly under the category of ‘luxury’, this hotel has a very homely feel about it. When I visited some years back for dinner, we were treated to pre-dinner live piano music. The menu was also typically Irish, with the finest of local cuisine, from lobster to lamb.

You’ll also find a beautiful garden on the grounds of the hotel, along with a tennis court. Abbeyglen is an ideal place to relax after a long day exploring the local sights or Connemara and no better place to do so than in the Castle bar with a fresh pint of Guinness and some live Irish music.

Connemara Sands: perfect for coastal location & nearby beaches

The Connemara Sands Beach Hotel & Spa is located on the stunning Slyne Peninsula in Western Connemara. If you have been following us, this is one of our favourite regions in all of Ireland (when the sun shines!)

The region is a special area of conservation and is home to truly magnificent beaches, which we have covered in great detail here.

Connemara Sands enjoys a beautiful coastal location 1km from the village of Ballyconneely. Although in a rural location, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as the Blueway at Mannin Strand as well as Connemara Golf Links only a few km away.

The hotel itself is 4-stars and there is also a spa on site, with seaweed baths to enjoy as well as a whole host of other spa treatments. Waking up to views of the turquoise waters and white sands must be a special experience.

A stand out hotel located in spectacular Connemara coastal scenery.

Connemara Coast: perfect for families (indoor pool) & proximity to Galway

Looking for a family hotel located only 15 minutes from Galway City on the shores of gorgeous Galway Bay?

The 4-star Connemara Coast is a great reputation and is a place a friend of mine recommended to me after a stay there with their 2 kids. I was informed, ‘Thank Christ, we stayed here. It was lashing rain the whole time and the pool saved us!’.

Yeah, this happens in Connemara quite often and is one of two hotels in Connemara with an indoor pool. Apart from this being a huge selling point, the hotel also has a great restaurant, bar and gym.

Local’s tip: In the local village of Furbogh, pay a visit to Pádraicíns restaurant. If you love your seafood, we highly recommend paying a visit!

An excellent all-round hotel for couples, families or groups alike.

Clifden Station House: excellent all-round choice in Clifden (indoor pool)

As a young lad, I remember very well when the Station House in Clifden was renovated. This was a huge project at the time and when complete became a very popular focal point for visitors to the town.

The bar and restaurant still retains many of the old Victorian features such as the red brick walls and décor. I also highly recommend it for lunch or just a coffee if passing through the town, especially as parking can be hard to come by in the centre during the summer months.

And, by the way there’s a pool and spa to pass to time if you are unlucky enough to have bad weather. You have all the modern facilities, such as WiFi and guest have commented on the breakfast being ‘fabulous’.

Clifden Station House sure does tick a lot of boxes and being located in the capital of Connemara, you can’t go too far wrong with this option.

Leenane Hotel: perfect for classic comfort & fantastic local food

It’s over to the wilds of Killary Fjord we go now and to one of my favourite villages, Leenaun.

Ireland’s oldest hotel has been welcoming guests since 1796 and are still going strong. Located on the waterfront and with beautiful views, the hotel has a classic, antique feel to it.

I have personally visited the restaurant multiple times and they pride themselves on the quality of their mussels originating from the waters of Killary and their vegetables grown in their own garden. This is a real gem along the Wild Atlantic Way.

In fact, the restaurant attracts people from all around, the seafood chowder being the go-to. The family-run hotel offers single, double and family rooms, each with their won particular styling. My tip: go for the sea-view room.

Traditional Irish comfort in spectacular scenery.

The Twelve: Perfect for proximity to Galway & boutique vibes

It’s over to Barna we head now and to the beautiful boutique hotel named simply ‘Twelve’. Opened in 2007 at 12 noon and located 12 minutes from Galway, this was one of Ireland’s first boutique hotels.

The hotel has gone from strength to strength and now offers tasteful rooms, fabulous food and a wine selection that would satisfy even the pickiest of folk!

Location is everything here, especially for those wishing to be slightly outside Galway, but close to Connemara. You’ll notice a price difference also compared to the sometimes frightfully expensive hotels in the city.

And by the way, dogs are welcome at the ‘Twelve’, something of a rarity and a deal-breaker for some. We recommend this hotel for couples or those looking for a cooler, more modern vibe.

Alcock & Brown: perfect Clifden town centre location & reasonable rates

It’s back to lovely Clifden we head now and to the perfectly located Alcock & Brown Hotel. Did you know the first transatlantic flight was achieved only 4km south of Clifden by John Alcock & Arthur Brown?

This hotel is one of the first images I conjure up when I think of Clifden. It’s a focal point of the town and enjoys arguably the best location. Just imagine enjoying a great meal out, followed by a traditional music session, and then taking the few steps back to the hotel for a good ol’ kip?

The Alcock and Brown was recently refurbished and offers some great deals. A solid option for a 1 or 2 night stay if planning to base yourself in Clifden.

Renvyle House Hotel: perfect for coastal location, outdoor pool & fantastic food

Renvyle House Hotel is located in the far west of Connemara near the stunning beaches of Glassilaun, Renvyle and Lettergesh.

A historic county house that exudes old-style comfort, Renvyle dates back to the year 1883. The hotels is set on 150 aces of woodlands, gardens and a freshwater lake, but the most stand-out attraction must be the outdoor heated pool.

This is a complete rarity in Ireland and makes the hotel truly unique. It should also not be forgotten that the premises is home to an award-winning restaurant and enjoys and incredible coastal location.

For those wishing to stay in a seaside location with old-style comfort.

Delphi Resort: perfect for wellness, adventure & stunning setting

One could argue that Delphi is not in Connemara, as the region is technically in County Mayo, but don’t let that put you off.

The resort offers a range of accommodation options, including hotel-style rooms and self-catering lodges. Accommodations are designed to blend with the natural surroundings.

The 814 restaurant offers some excellent local west of Ireland cuisine and the adjoining Wild Atlantic Cafe is well worth a stop if passing through. Any guesses for where the name of the restaurant comes from?

Delphi Resort is also known for its amazing choice of outdoor adventure activities. It caters to a variety of interests, including:

• Adventure Hub: zip-lining, archery, and more.
• Water-based Activities: Kayak, surfing, canoeing.
• Hiking and Hillwalking: The area offers incredible hiking, being located at the foot of Connaught’s highest peak, Mweelrea and surrounded by other spectacular hikes.

The resort also features a spa and wellness centre. This includes massage treatments, a sauna, and plenty more, with incredible views of the surrounding mountains.

A solid option for those wishing to explore the Great Outdoors of the west of Ireland, followed by ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation.

Lough Inagh Lodge: perfect for off-grid relaxation in breathtaking surroundings

Last, and by no means least, it’s off to the wilds of the breathatking Inagh Valley. In many regards, this area is quintessential Connemara, and one of my very favourite views in all of Ireland.

It’s a go-to location for photographers and hikers alike, all being drawn to the majestic natural beauty of this incredible area. A visit to this part of Ireland is an absolute must.

Now just imagine waking up to this view.

This elegant old-world hotel offers the ultimate in off-grid relaxation, while the restaurant serves up the finest in local cuisine, be it fresh lobster or roast duck.

The hotel is also dog-friendly, however there are wild deer in the area and dogs must be on a leash when outside.

This hotel is for those who want to get away from it all and experience true west of Ireland wilderness.

Final Thoughts

We hope we have helped you make up your mind regarding where to stay in Connemara. We believe the hotels we have chosen offer the best in comfort, location and relaxation.

Galway City has become expensive of late, so why not try somewhere a little outside, such as the ‘Twelve’ or ‘Connemara Coast?’ Or if you have always dreamed of staying in a wild and remote location, with a big blazing open fire to keep you warm, then it has to be Ballynahinch or Lough Inagh Lodge.

In any case, we are sure you won’t go wrong with whichever you choose. Enjoy the magical region of Connemara and let us know if you have any more questions. Which hotel stands out for you?