Ardara Accommodation: 6 Central Places to Stay

This guide has some carefully selected central accommodation in Ardara for you to conside.

Ardara is one of the more charming towns in Donegal and, arguably, one of the best small towns in Ireland!

It’s an excellent base to explore Donegal from and it’s home to some mighty pubs and restaurants.

Below, you’ll find places to stay in Ardara Town (several of which are on/near the main street) along with places to stat under a 2-minute drive away!

Central Ardara accommodation

Now, a quick note – in years past, we used to recommend the Nesbitt Arms. It was one of the few hotels in Ardara and, personally, I always enjoyed staying there.

However, it is ‘temporarily closed’ as per their website.

Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Hillhead House

Located just off the Main Street, right beside the Garda Station, is the very popular Hillhead House.

A short stroll from the hustle and bustle, this B&B has only 4 rooms, each of which is bright, well-appointed and comfortable.

There’s a terrace area where you can soak up mountain views and your host, Irene, will make you feel right at home from the get-go.

If you’re looking for Ardara accommodation that is central, good-value and that treats you to a hearty cooked Irish breakfast, look no further!

2. Atlantic Lodge

I’ve been recommending Atlantic Lodge to people following my Donegal Road Trip itinerary (it uses Ardara as a base for the 1st night) for several years.

Atlantic Lodge is finely located on the Main Street, a short ramble from countless places to eat and drink.

This is some of the newest accommodation in Ardara and boasts bright, spacious rooms and boutique-style decor.

Each of the rooms is en-suite and there’s also shared access to a kitchenette where there’s a continental breakfast on offer.

Room wise, there’s superior and deluxe doubles. If you need a base to explore the many things to do in Donegal, Atlantic Lodge is worth considering.

3. Woodhill House

I stayed in Woodhill House on my very first visit to Ardara a long time ago now, and the rooms would go toe-to-toe with some of the finest hotels in Donegal!

This is a wonderfully put-together guesthouse and it’ll suit those of you looking for old-worlde-style accommodation in Ardara.

Now, the only thing I had against staying here was that we didn’t feel comfortable walking into the town, as there was no path and it was dark.

Then we discovered that there was a bar inside the house, as well as an open fireplace… So, yea… we forgot about heading into town fairly quickly!

4. Ardhill House

Another of the best places to stay in Ardara is Ardhill House, which is finely positioned on the Main Street.

If you’re a regular visitor to the town, you might recall that this was once Laburnum House.

Its new owners rebranded it and the extent of their renovation can be seen in the snaps above.

If you’re looking to explore Donegal by day and you fancy being able to walk to a pub/restaurant in the evening, this place is a great shout!

Check prices + see photos

 

5. Auntie B’s Bed and Breakfast

Auntie B’s Bed and Breakfast in Ardara boasts spacious and finely decorated en-suite rooms with flat-screen TV’s and Wi-Fi.

The property is less than a 2-minute drive from the centre of Ardara and it’s under a 20-minute drive from both Assaranca waterfall and the Maghera caves. 

There is a cosy shared lounge, as well as a well-maintained garden where guests can unwind after a day spent exploring.

The reviews for Auntie B’s are exceptional and there are deluxe, deluxe family rooms and also rooms with disability access.

6. Robins Nest

We get asked about Airbnbs in Ardara quite a bit, as people tend to think they’re always more unique than B&Bs, but that isn’t always the case.

Robins Nest is one of the most picturesque places to stay in Ardara. It’s located a 7-minute spin from the town centre in a glorious spot overlooking the breath-taking Maghera Beach.

There are a couple of room types on offer here but, if you can, try and opt for the sea view room which offers beautiful views of the beach.

There’s a continental breakfast available each morning and it’s also a short, 1.7km from the mighty Assaranca Waterfall.

Things to do near Ardara during your stay

One of the beauties of Ardara is that it’s a short drive from many of the area’s top attractions.

Here are a handful of things to do close by:

• Assaranca Waterfall (15-minute drive)
• Glengesh Pass (10-minute drive)
• Maghera Beach (20-minute drive)
• Slieve League (35-minute drive)
• Narin Beach (10-minute drive)
• Malin Beg (40-minute drive)