Achill Island Accommodation Map + 8 Top Hotels/B&Bs

Achill Island accommodation falls into 3 categories – hotels, B&Bs and self-catering holiday homes. In this guide, you’ll find the best of each!

I’m going to split it up into 2 sections for you:

• Where to stay on Achill Island: A map showing the main areas with their pros/cons
• Achill Island accommodation: The best places to stay on the island

Where to stay on Achill Island

The map above will give you an overview of what are, in my opinion, the best areas on Achill to base yourself.

However, please do note that deciding where to stay on Achill Island is often out of your control – during the summer months, in particular, accommodation on Achill is near impossible to come by.

Personally, my favourite area to stay in is Keel, but rooms are nearly always booked out during peak season, so make sure to book ahead.

My go-to Achill Island accommodation

Now that you have a sense of the lay-of-the-land, it’s time to look at some of the best Achill Island accommodation, from hotels to B&Bs.

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

1. Achill Cliff House Hotel

My favourite of the handful of Achill Island hotels is the Cliff House. It’s located in Keel, a 7-minute walk from the brilliant Keel Beach.

This is a 3-star, family-run hotel with an award-winning restaurant and bright, spacious rooms, ranging from sea view to triple deluxe.

Any time that I’m looking to book Achill Island accommodation, I’ll check the Cliff House first as location wise, it’s hard to beat (Keem Bay is only a 13-minute spin away).

Oh, and to top it off the Amethyst Bar is a handy 5-minute saunter away!

2. Pure Magic Lodge

One of the best places to stay in Achill Island with a group is the very popular Pure Magic Lodge, located between Doogort and Keel.

The lodge is in a quiet, rural area at the foot of Slievemore Mountain, but don’t let that put you off – they have everything you need on-site.

Their mission? To share a deep passion for watersports with every guest! Activity-wise, Pure Magic run kitesurf, wingtro and wing foil lessons.

There’s a great restaurant in the lodge (the pizza is the business!) and the lodge has 35 themed rooms, each of which is bright and stylish.

3. Ferndale Luxury Boutique B&B

You won’t find many B&Bs on Achill Island with reviews as fine as Keel’s Ferndale Luxury Boutique B&B!

Although Ferndale is only a 9-minute walk from the sand, it’s located down a quiet road that takes you (thankfully) away from the hustle and bustle.

The rooms here, which could go toe-to-toe with the top hotels in Mayo, boast luxurious décor and furnishings and each has a theme, from classical Roman to Venetian.

You’ll enjoy a cooked breakfast while enjoying the coastal views and then the various things to do in Achill are right on your door step.

4. Achill Island Hotel

The next of the hotels on Achill Island is located at Achill Sound, right where you cross the bridge onto the island.

The Achill Island Hotel is another 3-star, family run hotel and it overlooks the sea, offering mighty views around sunset.

Room-wise, there are double, twins and family rooms. There’s also a bar and restaurant on-site.

I stayed here last summer and, while the rooms were dated, they were clean, comfortable and good-value.

If you’re looking for Achill Island accommodation that’s well-positioned for the Great Western Greenway, look no further.

5. Teach Cruachan B&B

You’ll find Teach Cruachan B&B a 5-minute spin from Keel, in an envious location overlooking the sea near Dooagh Beach.

With just 4 rooms, this is the smallest of the places to stay in Achill Island in this guide, but it packs-a-punch far beyond its size!

Each of the rooms are lovely and bright and offer sea and mountain views.

Although there’s no restaurant on-site, you’re a short ramble from both Gielty’s and Lourdie’s Pub!

6. Stella Maris Luxury B&B

Located a short stroll from the sand in Keel, Stella Maris Luxury B&B is one of the family-run B&Bs on Achill Island, and they’ve been welcoming guests for 35 years!

The rooms here are bright, well appointed and spacious, with many offering views of the sea and out beyond to Minaun Cliffs.

This Achill Island accommodation is located right on the beach front, offering private access to Keel from their garden. 

If you fancy a tipple at the end of the day, 2 of Achill’s best pubs, The Annexe and The Amethyst Bar, are less than a 5-minute walk away.

7. Hy Breasal B&B 

The photos above don’t really do Hy Breasal B&B at Achill Sound justice. However, a quick glance at the reviews should show you what to expect!

Located down a narrow road a 5-minute walk from the main road, this falls into the ‘traditional Irish B&B category’ – it’s clean, good-value, no-fuss and the host is excellent!

Another good one for the Achill to Westport Greenway, it’s a 6-minute walk from McLoughlins Bar and a 12-minute walk to the Achill Sound Hotel, which has a restaurant.

If you’re looking for accommodation on Achill Island that does the basics very well, this is a great option.

8. Achill Water’s Edge

The last of the places to stay in Achill Island in this guide is located a world away from anywhere else mentioned.

You’ll find Achill Water’s Edge along the coast outside of Doogort, just past Golden Strand – one of the best beaches on Achill!

The rooms here are cosy, comfortable and each has been furnished to include everything you need for a night away.

The rooms offer glorious views of the Atlantic, Slievemore Mountain or the Nephin Beg Range, depending on which one you book.

Things to do around Achill

Now that we have the Achill accommodation out of the way, it’s time to look at what there is to do:

• The Atlantic Drive: See map above – it takes in all of the main attractions
• Minaun Heights: Magnificent viewpoint you can drive to
• Ashleam Cliffs: Beautiful cliffs and bay
• Croaghaun Cliffs: Ireland’s highest sea cliffs