Where to stay in Killarney (The Best Hotels + Area Map)

Deciding where to stay in Killarney can be tricky, but rest easy – this guide is based on my 14+ visits to the town over the last 36 years.

Below, you’ll find:

• A: A map with the best areas to stay in
• B: The best hotels in Killarney across all budgets
• C: Honest info based on my many visits to Killarney

Where to stay in Killarney

In my opinion, when it comes to deciding where to stay in Killarney, there are two main options area wise – the town centre and the beginning of the Muckross Road.

Some of the top hotels in Killarney are located in these two areas and each has distinct pros and cons:

The town centre

• Pros: Everything’s a short stroll away. Countless pubs and restaurants minutes away. No need for taxis (handy for when it’s raining)
• Cons: Most hotels in Killarney Town centre have no car park and you’ll need to park in public car parks. The town centre is always busy

The start of Muckross Road

• Pros: Between 5 and 10 minutes walk from the centre. All accommodation has parking. You’re right across from Killarney National Park
• Cons: None

The best hotels in Killarney Town Centre

The best place to stay in Killarney, in my opinion, is in the town centre. Killarney is a tourist town and it does it well.

Staying within the centre of town ensures that you’re minutes from pubs and restaurants and a handy cycle from all attractions. Here are the best hotels in Killarney Town centre.

1. Killarney Towers Hotel

Although I’ve stayed in many different hotels in Killarney during my first 5/6 visits to the town, the hotel I’ve gone back to on my last 5 visits is the 4-star Towers Hotel.

In a nutshell, this hotel is good value price-wise, it’s in the centre of the town, the service is excellent, the rooms are comfortable and it’s one of the few places to stay in Killarney Town Centre with a pool.

The only issue that I have with it is there’s no parking on-site – you need to pay for parking across the road. Aside from that, this’ll be the place I stay every time I start the Ring of Kerry Drive from Killarney!

About

• Location: Very central (on College St.)
• Hotel facilities: Pool, gym, spa, pub + restaurant
• Walk time to National Park: 5 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

2. Great Southern Killarney

The next of the Killarney hotels is the Great Southern. One of the reasons I recommend this place a lot is the setting – it’s in the town, but the grounds make you feel like you’re on a countryside retreat.

The Southern is a beautifully maintained Victorian mansion house that was built in 1854. It sits on 6 prime acres of real estate right in the the heart of the town, a short stroll from many of the various things to do in Killarney.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Killarney that’s extremely central but that’ll take you well-away from the hustle and bustle, get yourself here.

About

• Location: It’s in the town but you’ll feel like you’re a world away
• Hotel facilities: It has a pub, restaurant, pool, gym and beauty rooms
• Walk time to National Park: 7 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

3. Killarney Avenue Hotel

Another of the best places to stay in Killarney if you want to be very central (it’s a 2-minute walk from the park) is the Killarney Avenue Hotel. I’ve stayed here several times and it’s a great base to explore from (many of the best pubs in Killarney are close by, too!).

This is a 4-star hotel with comfortable rooms (doubles and family rooms), a cosy pub on-site (the Kenmare Rooms) and you also get access to the leisure centre in the Towers Hotel (5-minute walk away).

Similar to the Towers, I’ve always found this to be one of the best hotels in Killarney price-wise, especially given its location. A great base to explore from!

About

• Location: Town Centre
• Hotel facilities: Restaurant, cosy pub + access to leisure centre in the Towers
• Walk time to National Park: 2 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

4. Arbutus Hotel Killarney

If you’re looking for hotels in Killarney that are central and that have plenty of character, look no further than the Arbutus, a hotel on the go since 1926! I’ve been recommending this hotel for years and have yet to hear anything but rave reviews.

Each of the rooms (classic, deluxe and family) scream old-world-elegance thanks to antique furnishings and carefully chosen decor.

Price wise, you get great bang-for-your-buck here, especially when you consider the style of the rooms and the location. The hotel’s pub, Buckley’s, is a cosy spot that hosts regular traditional music sessions!

About

• Location: College Street
• Hotel facilities: Several dining options and a pub
• Walk time to the park: 6 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

5. Randles Hotel

You’ll find another of the best Killarney hotels a leisurely 9-minute walk from the centre of town – the 4-star Randles. This hotel was established in 1992 and they have since racked up thousands of excellent reviews online.

If you visit during the colder months, expect open fires and cosy nooks to plonk yourself, if you fancy a dip, there’s a 20-metre pool and, if you want to hit the town, some of the best restaurants in Killarney are nearby.

My dad visits the town at least once-a-year and this is always his go-to, citing that ‘The price is never too mental considering the location!’ (and he’s a hard man to please… trust me!).

About

• Location: Muckross Road
• Hotel facilities: Numerous dining options, 20-metre pool, sauna, steam room and bar
• Walk time to the park: 5 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

The best places to stay in Killarney outside of the town centre

If you cast your mind back to my map showing where to stay in Killarney, you’ll remember the outline of the Muckross Road.

The section below contains 2 different hotel types:

• Hotels located at the start of the Muckross Road
• Luxury hotels dotted around Killarney

1. The Lake Hotel

The first of our lodgings that’s a little outside of the town (a 35-minute walk or a 5-minute drive) is the outstanding 4-star Lake Hotel. As far as settings go, you won’t find many Killarney hotels offering views as mighty!

Boasting 100+ years of history, the property is situated in an enviable location right on the edge of Killarney’s lower lake. Many of the rooms, along with the hotels Castlelough Restaurant, offer lovely lake views.

There’s a leisure centre on-site (yes, that’s a jacuzzi with views of the mountain) and you won’t find many hotels that 1, are as close to the town and 2, offer an experience as unique, as the Lake Hotel.

About

• Location: Muckross Road
• Hotel facilities: Several dining options, a pub and a wellness and fitness centre
• Walk time from the town: 35 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

2. Muckross Park Hotel & Spa

Next up is one of the finest 5 star hotels in Killarney – Muckross Park! Located around 4km from the town, this hotel is situated within the 25,000-acre national park, near Muckross Abbey.

Muckross House brings together a blend of 18th-century elegance and 21st-century luxury and it will act as a luxurious base for those looking to explore Killarney and beyond.

Arguably best-known for it’s award-winning spa, Muckross Park is a 7-minute drive from the town and less than 5 minutes from the likes of Muckross House and Torc Waterfall.

About

• Location: Muckross
• Hotel facilities: Numerous restaurants, a pub and a Gothic-inspired spa with vitality suite
• Drive time to the town: 7 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

3. The Europe Hotel & Resort

Arguably one of the best hotels in Kerry is the Europe Hotel in Killarney and it’ll suit travellers with cash-to-splash that are looking for a very unique base in the area.

Overlooking the Lakes of Killarney, the Europe sits by the shores of the lower lake and guests can enjoy the views from the restaurant, the spa and from many of the rooms.

Facility-wise, there’s both fine and casual dining, several bars and lounges, an exceptional spa and plenty of on-site activities.

About

• Location: Fossa
• Hotel facilities: Large spa, extravagant rooms and several bars and restaurants
• Drive-time from town: 9 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

4. Dromhall Hotel

One of the more overlooked places to stay in Killarney is the 4-star Dromhall Hotel, a 8-minute walk from the town centre (although it may take longer if you’re tempted when passing the Killarney Brewery!).

This is a bright and modern hotel that benefits from heritage – the Dromhall has been in the same family since it was established in 1964 and, as my own personal experiences here confirm, it feels like a home-from-home.

Location wise, it’s hard-to-beat. You can start the Ring of Kerry from it’s doorstep, take a day trip to the Dingle Peninsula or just explore the many attractions in the park, like Ross Castle.

About

• Location: Muckross Road
• Hotel facilities: 17-metre pool, day spa, restaurant and bar
• Walk time to the park: 7 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

5. The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens

We’re back to another of the best places to stay in Killarney when it comes to luxury – the Dunloe, which is tucked away in the Kerry countryside on a beautiful 64-acre estate.

Guests can expect the finest of furnishings, top-class service, opulent rooms and the likes of the Gap of Dunloe and Tomies Wood a short spin away.

Spectacular scenery surrounds the hotel and it can be enjoyed from many of the lavish rooms or from the Grill Restaurant. If you’re wondering where to stay in Killarney that’s close to the town and that offers a high-end experience, look no further.

About

• Location: Beaufort
• Hotel facilities: Leisure centre with pool and gym, bar and numerous high end dining options
• Drive-time from town: 15 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

6. Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa

Another of the best hotels in Killarney luxury wise is Aghadoe Heights. A short, 10-minute drive from town takes you into the Killarney countryside to a location that overlooks Lough Lein and the Macgillycuddys.

The highlight of Aghadoe is the spa – there is an indoor and outdoor area, both of which take in the scenery. You can also kick-back with a drink on the outdoor terrace while gazing out towards the mountains.

The rooms at Aghadoe are what you’d expect from one of the top spa hotels in Ireland – extravagant furnishings with every want and need catered for. Many also have large windows facing the lake.

About

• Location: Lakes of Killarney
• Hotel facilities: Spa, numerous dining options, bar and thermal suite
• Drive-time from town: 10 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

12. Old Weir Lodge

I’m going to round off our guide to the best places to stay in Killarney with a B&B. Often, budgets and/or availability mean you can’t actually book into one of the Killarney hotels.

Luckily, there are several excellent B&Bs in Killarney that make a perfect home-from-home. My favourite is the Old Weir Lodge – a family-run guesthouse offering elegant rooms, hearty breakfasts, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

It’s a 10-minute walk both into the town and the park. The Lodge blends hotel-level comfort with the warmth of family-run accommodation. Many of the best things to do in Kerry are a short spin away, too.

About

• Location: Muckross Road
• Walk time from the park: 10 minutes
• Learn more: See photos + reviews here

Things to do while in Killarney

Now that you’ve decided where to stay in Killarney, it’s time to consider what you’ll do while you’re there.

Most people do something similar to the following itinerary:

• Spend 1 day: Seeing the park, the lakes, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and Muckross Abbey
• Spend 1 day: Driving the Ring of Kerry route OR on a day trip to Dingle

Regardless of which of the hotels in Killarney you stay in, a wonderful adventure awaits. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. Cheers!