Where to Stay on the Ring of Kerry (Best Areas + Hotels)

Deciding where to stay on the Ring of Kerry can be tricky. However, having driven it 14 times, I’m confident this guide will point you in the right direction.

I’ll give you an area map with the towns and villages that I’ve found make the best bases, along with the pros and cons of each.

I’ll also give you recommended Ring of Kerry accommodation, each of which has been chosen for a specific reason (e.g. O’Donnabhain’s in Kenmare is right on Main Street, has parking and the rooms are comfortable and well priced).

Where to Stay on the Ring of Kerry

Right – you’ve decided that you’re driving the Ring of Kerry. But that’s as far as you’ve gotten.

Here’s why/when I’ll stay in each of the locations on the map above:

1. Kenmare: Quieter and less touristy than Killarney, with great pubs, restaurants, and plenty of Ring of Kerry accommodation options
2. Killarney: My go-to for my early visits. Now, I stay here when visiting with friends/first-time-visitors as it has everything you could want
3. Waterville: A charming seaside spot with small-town charm. Great pubs, food, and Ring of Kerry hotels. Works well as a halfway base
4. The Skellig Ring: My favourite corner of Ireland. Stay in Portmagee, Valentia Island, or Ballinskelligs for peace, scenery, and raw beauty
5. Sneem: A quiet rural base where the Sneem Hotel and O’Shea’s Pub keep me coming back time-and-time again

Here’s what to do next:

• Review the map above: The pros and cons should rule some places in/out for you
• Decide on an itinerary: See my 1 day Ring of Kerry itinerary, my 2 day Ring of Kerry itinerary or my 3 day Ring of Kerry itinerary
• Pick a base: Once you’ve chosen an itinerary, pick a town/village and then book your Ring of Kerry accommodation
• Still stuck? I’ll take you through my favourite Ring of Kerry hotels below

My recommended Ring of Kerry accommodation (by area)

For the vast majority of people, the simple answer to where to stay on the Ring of Kerry is Kenmare or Killarney.

Both of these areas are well-equipped for tourists and tend to tick most boxes. However, there are plenty of options to choose from.

1. Kenmare

One of the best places to stay on the Ring of Kerry is in Kenmare Town, which makes a great starting point for the route.

While there are a wide range of hotels in Kenmare across all budgets, I find myself returning to O’Donnabhain’s most often.

You can’t get much closer to the action – this pub, restaurant, and guesthouse sit right on lively Henry Street, the postcard-perfect stretch lined with colourful shops and restaurants.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Couldn’t be more central in the town
• The parking: There’s a decent sized car park out back
• The rooms: Clean, bright, spacious and good value
• Check prices for O’Donnabhain’s: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Kenmare: Park Hotel (5 star) and the Lansdowne (very central)

2. Killarney

Killarney is the traditional starting point for the route and is home to the spectacular Killarney National Park.

Although there are plenty of Ring of Kerry hotels in the town, the one I’ve stayed in consistently in recent years is the Towers.

It’s very central and a short stroll from some of the best pubs in Killarney. During my most recent stays in 2024, I found it well priced.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Very central in the town
• The leisure centre: There’s a swimming pool on-site
• The rooms: Relatively old-fashioned but very comfy
• Check prices for the Towers: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Killarney: Muckross Park (5 star) and the Great Southern (central with great reviews)

3. Waterville

Although most people tend to opt for the Ring of Kerry hotels in Kenmare and Killarney, those that give Waterville a chance are in for an entirely different experience altogether.

This is a gorgeous little seaside town that’s also a stone’s throw from the Skellig Ring. It was a favourite of Charlie Chaplin and it boasts a nice big beach.

The Butler Arms is located right in the centre of town facing the sea. Splash out on a sea-view room and you’re in for a treat.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Smack back in the centre of town
• The views: Stretch for a sea view room and kick back in the evening watching the waves
• The rooms: Modern, comfortable and well appointed
• Check prices for The Butler Arms: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Waterville: The Smugglers Inn (sea views and great reviews)

4. The Skellig Ring

So, a quick note first – while this is a guide to the best hotels on the Ring of Kerry, technically, the Skellig Ring is a detour off of it (and a very worthy one, at that!).

If you follow my Ring of Kerry itinerary, or any of my Kerry guides, you’ll see I always add in the Skellig Ring. This is an area of immense natural beauty that’s well worth seeing.

Personally, I always stay in the Moorings in the village of Portmagee (where the Skellig Michael tours leave from), Ballinskelligs (small seaside village) and Valentia Island.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: A tiny village near the Kerry Cliffs and Valentia 
• The views: Like an oil painting with the Skelligs on the horizon
• The accommodation: Clean and comfy on Main St. with great pub
• Check prices for the Moorings: See prices + reviews here

5. Sneem

Some of my favourite Ring of Kerry accommodation is tucked away in the little town of Sneem, around a 1-hour drive from Killarney (specifically, the Sneem Hotel).

The magic begins as you roll into town and the mountains rise up behind the colourful buildings. It’s right on the Ring of Kerry route, yet it feels a world apart from the busier bases of Kenmare and Killarney.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Set beside the water with mountain views a 10-minute walk from town
• The rooms: Spacious, modern, and some come with balconies overlooking the water
• The atmosphere: Relaxed with an excellent restaurant and bar for lazy evenings
• Check prices for The Sneem Hotel: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Sneem: Sneem Studios (great reputation in centre of town)

6. Glenbeigh

If you’re looking for Ring of Kerry accommodation that’s far from the hustle and bustle, look no further than Glenbeigh.

This is a town that comes alive during the summer months thanks to its proximity to Rossbeigh Beach. Book into The Glenbeigh Hotel – a family-run, 12-room property with luxurious rooms, a great pub and top-notch service.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: On the Ring and right by the coast
• The pub: Cosy with a roaring fire in winter (try the Seafood Chowder!)
• The rooms: Olde worlde style in the best possible sense
• Check prices for The Glenbeigh Hotel: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Glenbeigh: The Towers (central with good reviews)

7. Cahersiveen

The next of our places to stay on the Ring of Kerry is located in Cahersiveen – a little town right on the Ring route.

Quinlan & Cooke is a beautifully appointed boutique townhouse that makes a very comfortable base to explore from.

Throw in the fact that their seafood restaurant is one of the best in the land and you’re onto a winner!

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Right on the route and in the centre of town
• The food: Seafood at its finest in the on-site restaurant
• The rooms: It’s hard to bate a big bath. Expect a very comfortable stay
• Check prices for Quinlan & Cooke: See prices + reviews here

8. Killorglin

Standing proudly in Killorglin for 150 years, the Bianconi Inn is the last of our Ring of Kerry hotels. If you’re not familiar with the town, it’s around a 20-minute spin from Killarney.

I like Killorglin as a base to drive the route as, when you drive it clockwise, you’re straight into Killarney early on (hopefully before the crowds!).

There’s a great restaurant on-site here and the hotel is a short ramble from Falvey’s – a lovely little traditional pub.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Right in the centre of town
• The food: Even when I’m only passing through Killorglin I tend to stop here for food
• The rooms: Comfy and clean
• Check prices for The Bianconi: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Killorglin: Kingstons Boutique Hotel (central with great reviews)

What hotels on the Ring of Kerry have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Ring of Kerry accommodation from the guide above.

If you have any Ring of Kerry hotels that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs on the best places to stay on the Ring of Kerry

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What hotels in Ring of Kerry are the cheapest?’ to ‘Where’s the most central?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.