12 Of The Best Christmas Hotels In Ireland For A Festive Break

There’s some very festive Christmas hotels in Ireland if you fancy a night or two away.

Some are perfect for a pre-Christmas break while others may suit those of you looking for places to stay over Christmas in Ireland.

Below, you’ll find a mix of our favourites, from Castlemartyr and Clontarf Castle to some often-overlooked Christmas getaways in Ireland.

The best Christmas hotels in Ireland

Now, a quick word of warning – some of the hotels charge an eye-watering premium for stays over the Christmas period!

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. Castlemartyr (Cork)

Castlemartyr is a beautiful 18th-century manor house nestled in a 220-acre estate. Their Christmas package starts with a warm glass of mulled wine at check-in, followed by evening cocktails in The Manor House whilst listening to local carol singers. 

Tuck into a five-course dinner followed by an after-dinner drink in the snug Knights Bar. Of course, younger guests will get to meet Santa! On Christmas Day, enjoy a hearty breakfast before finding a cosy spot for opening gifts.

Then, enjoy a Christmas feast prepared by the executive chef. This is, in our opinion, one of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland for good reason!

Based on two people sharing, Their Ultimate Christmas Experience (3D, 3N) costs from €814pp per night and the Christmas in Cork package (2D, 2N) costs from €1095pp per night.

2. Glenlo Abbey (Galway)

If you’re looking for unique places to stay over Christmas in Ireland, look no further than the incredible Glenlo Abbey – a luxury hotel in an 18th-century abbey, has two or three-night festive breaks to choose from.

Check-in on Christmas Eve with a warming drink of mulled wine. Then, in the evening, enjoy a candlelit dinner, followed by delicious hot chocolate and mince pies in the cosy French Room. 

Christmas breakfast is served in the River Room Restaurant, with Champagne and canapes in the French Room before lunch with Santa and presents for the children (in the afternoon). Afterward, there’s a buffet supper, festive movies, and a quiz to choose from!

The two-night Christmas package starts at €1,200pp per night and the three-night Christmas Package costs €1,600pp per night based on two people sharing. 

3. The Park Hotel (Kerry)

The Park Hotel is a luxury five-star hotel on the shores of Kenmare Bay. The hotel has a three-night Christmas Experience on offer with plenty to get you into the festive spirit!

The package includes a hearty full Irish breakfast each morning and a candle-lit dinner every night.

During the day, the hotel grounds are perfect for a winter stroll, or you could stay in and enjoy a selection of holiday films in your room or suite. Spend the evening warming up by the fire in the drawing room, enjoying the live band. 

Based on two people sharing the package costs from €3,100. 

4. Harvey’s Point (Donegal)

Few hotels in Ireland for Christmas boast a setting like Harvey’s Point – a wonderful four-star hotel on the shores of Lough Eske. Their Christmas Residential Package is an incredible four-night stay.

Check-in on the 23rd with a glass of mulled wine, with casual dining available throughout the day, and evening entertainment in Harvey’s Bar.

On Christmas Eve, head out for a winter walk after breakfast, then watch a cooking demonstration, followed by drinks and dinner. 

Christmas Day is a full day of eating and celebrations, with evening entertainment. On Stephen’s Day, go out on a guided walk after breakfast and join the traditional pub quiz in the evening. 

The Christmas Package costs from €980pp based on two people sharing. 

6. Clontarf Castle (Dublin)

One of the best Christmas hotels in Ireland in the capital is Clontarf Castle. This is a magical place to spend Christmas, with two, three, and four-night festive breaks on offer. Check-in on Christmas Eve with a glass of citrus-spiced mulled wine.

Spend some time relaxing or head out into Dublin, before returning to a hearty four-course dinner in the Great Hall. 

On Christmas morning, enjoy breakfast with Prosecco, a traditional Christmas lunch buffet in the great hall, and an evening light fayre. Finish the evening with a drink and entertainment in the Knights Bar. On the 26th, enjoy a delicious breakfast before checking out (two-night guests). 

Based on two people sharing, packages start at €669pp (two nights), €809pp (three nights), and €929pp (four nights). 

7. Hayfield Manor (Cork)

Hayfield Manor is a five-star hotel offering an amazing three-day and three-night Ultimate Christmas Experience. 

Arrive on Christmas Eve to a festive drink, then spend the afternoon exploring the manor. In the evening, enjoy a cup of mulled wine as you listen to local carolers, then sit down for a delicious meal. 

Wake up on Christmas Day to a full Irish, relaxing with family until your traditional Christmas Lunch and an appearance from Santa (who has a gift for each child). In the evening, there’s a light buffet and piano entertainment.  

Start the 26th with a delicious breakfast, then spend the day relaxing, before dinner and live musical entertainment. 

Based on two people sharing, the package starts at €1650 per person.

8. Ballygally Castle (Antrim)

Ballygally Castle offers a range of holiday packages to suit whatever your need. Choose from a Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, two-night, or three-night package. 

During the three-night package check in on Christmas Eve, and relax until you have Christmas Eve dinner. On Christmas Day, wake up to a full Irish before enjoying a buffet lunch with a mulled wine reception and a visit from Santa! 

On St. Stephen’s Day, enjoy a hearty full Irish and a festive lunch (or dinner). Finally, on the 27th, there’s a traditional Irish breakfast before check out. 

Based on two people sharing, the Christmas Eve Package starts at £150pp, the Christmas Day Package starts at £255pp, the two-night package starts £315pp, and the three-night package costs from £395pp. 

9. Powerscourt (Wicklow)

If you’re looking for hotels in Ireland for Christmas that are surrounding by things to see and do, get yourself to Powerscourt – one of the finest spa hotels in Ireland.

The magical Powerscourt Hotel has a luxurious two-night festive package for the holidays. 

After checking in on the 24th, enjoy mince pies and mulled wine before going to your room to relax or explore the estate. After a lavish four-course dinner, head to the Sugar Loaf Lounge for a nightcap. 

On Christmas morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading out for a winter walk. Younger guests get to meet Santa, then it’s time to tuck into a traditional Christmas meal. After eating, spend family time in the games room then enjoy savoury treats in the lounge before bed. 

On St. Stephen’s Day, there’s a delicious breakfast and a falconry display on the lawn. 

Based on two people sharing, the package costs from €1,125pp. 

10. Lough Erne (Fermanagh)

Another of the more luxurious places to stay over Christmas in Ireland is the Lough Erne Resort. Arrive on Christmas Eve to a welcome reception of Christmas carols, mince pies, and festive drinks.

Eat at your leisure at one of the three on-site restaurants (not included), then for younger guests, there are bedtime stories read by Mrs. Clause. 

Christmas Day starts with a hearty breakfast and bucks fizz, followed by present-opening with Santa and a five-course traditional lunch with entertainment. Enjoy a late supper and entertainment in the Blaney Bar. 

On St. Stephen’s Day, fuel up with breakfast in the Catalina Restaurant before checking out. 

Based on two people sharing, the two-night package starts at £680pp, and the three-night package starts at £817.50pp. 

11. The K Club (Kildare)

The K Club has a wonderful three-night holiday package full of added extras! Check-in on the 23rd and enjoy a festive welcome with mulled wine and mince pies.

On Christmas Eve, wake up to a full Irish, then after some quality family time, sit down to a four-course dinner. 

Christmas Day starts with a hearty Irish breakfast and a visit from Santa, followed by a traditional lunch, and an evening buffet supper in the Drawing Rooms. On St. Stephen’s Day, fuel up with another full Irish, and enjoy a festive afternoon tea!

The package starts at €990 per night. 

12. Sheen Falls (Kerry)

Sheen Falls Lodge has a range of magical Christmas packages. Choose from their Christmas Eve two-night package (24th-26th), three-night package (24th-27th), and their Christmas Day two-night package (25th-27th). 

Stays starting on the 24th include Christmas Eve welcome drinks and dinner at one of two on-site restaurants. On Christmas Day, wake up to a full Irish breakfast, then enjoy a traditional lunch (with all the trimmings), and a Christmas buffet paired with wine. 

St. Stephen’s Day starts with a full Irish and includes a canapé and champagne reception, before a sumptuous five-course dinner with wine and live music entertainment. 

Based on two people sharing, packages start at €1,450 for the three-night package, €1,115 for the two-night 24th-25th package, and €1,180 for the two-night 25th – 26th package. 

What hotels in Ireland for Christmas have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant Christmas hotels in Ireland from the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about places to stay over Christmas in Ireland

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where has a big open fire?’ to ‘Where’s the most luxurious?’.

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.