7 Best Ring Of Kerry Hotels And Places To Stay

I’ve driven the Ring of Kerry 14 times over the years. This guide is packed with what are, in my opinion, best Ring of Kerry hotels and guesthouses.

Each has been chosen for a specific reason.

For example, O’Donnabhain’s in Kenmare is right on the Main Street, has parking and the rooms are comfortable and well priced.

Below, you’ll find 7 guesthouses and hotels on the Ring of Kerry that make the perfect base to explore the route from. Cheers!

Our favourite Ring of Kerry hotels and B&Bs

Take a quick look at the map above – it shows the various Ring of Kerry towns and where they are positioned. Each of the recommendations below contains accommodation that’s finely positioned along the route.

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. O’Donnabhain’s (Kenmare)

My favourite place to stay on the Ring of Kerry is O’Donnabhain’s in Kenmare Town. You can’t get much closer to the action here, with the pub/restaurant/guesthouse right on lively Henry Street.

It’s right on Henry Street which, if you’ve seen photos of Kenmare, is the postcard-perfect street with all of the 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. The Towers (Killarney)

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

It’s very central and it’s a short stroll from some of the best pubs in Killarney. I’ve also found it, during my most recent stays in 2023 and 2022, to be 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. The Butler Arms (Waterville)

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

This is a gorgeous little seaside town on the Ring of Kerry 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. Opt for 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 Royal Valentia (Valentia Island)

OK, so while this is a guide to the best hotels on the Ring of Kerry, this one isn’t actually on the Ring – bear with me!

If you follow our Ring of Kerry itinerary, or any of our road trip guides, you’ll see we always add in the Skellig Ring. This is an area of immense natural beauty a short spin from main Ring route. 

The Royal Valentia is located on the magnificent Valentia Island (it’s connected to the mainland by a bridge). If you stay here, you can take the Valentia car ferry the following morning to Reenard Point, which is on the Ring of Kerry route.

Why I keep going back:

• Location: Right by the sea in the little village of Knightstown
• The views: Nab a sea view room and you’re in for a treat
• The island: Home to glorious views, walks and heaps of history
• Check prices for The Royal Valentia: See prices + reviews here
• Other accommodation in Valentia Island: Horizon View Lodge B&B (mighty views and reviews)

5. The Glenbeigh Hotel (Glenbeigh)

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

This is a town that comes alive during the summer months thanks to its proximity to Rossbeigh Beach. This is a family run, 12-room hotel 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)

6. Quinlan & Cooke (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

7. The Bianconi Inn (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 Ring of Kerry 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 about Ring of Kerry accommodation

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.