6 Of The Best Hotels In Bray For A Weekend Getaway By The Sea

If you’re in search of the best hotels in Bray, you’ve landed in the right place.

The seaside town of Bray in County Wicklow is a lovely place to spend a few days enjoying good food, beautiful beaches, and a variety of attractions.

From fishing and golf, to calming walks and historic sites, and of course the sea life centre, there’s plenty of things to do in Bray to keep you entertained.

There aren’t too many hotels in Bray, but the few there are have built up a solid reputation, with rave reviews over the years. So, let’s take a look at some of the best.

Our favourite hotels in Bray

In the guide below, we’re going to take you through the best hotels Bray has to offer, from hotels perched right on the beach to luxury resorts and more.

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

1. The Strand Hotel

Situated right on the seafront, the Strand enjoys a supremely desirable location. This is a boutique hotel with pedigree too.

Built by Sir William and Lady Jane Wilde in 1870, it was later the home of their son, the renowned Oscar Wilde.

In 1882, Caffe Vergnano moved in, providing guests and locals with sublime coffee and pastries. It still functions to this day, and is a great place to gaze over the promenade.

The hotel offers 10 beautiful rooms that are cosy and supremely comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms and luxury bedding, and some boast a sea view.

For food and drink, you can choose between Caffe Vergnano, Wilde’s Bar and Restaurant, or the Curry Leaf — all located within the hotel. This is one of the most unique hotels in Bray for good reason!

Check prices + see more photos here

2. 40 Winks

40 Winks is one of our favourite hotels in Wicklow. This is one of those little gems that you’re forever happy for stumbling upon!

This boutique hotel enjoys a prime location on the promenade, with superb views out to sea. Surrounded by some of the best restaurants in Bray, it’s the ideal base for a stay in the town.

The rooms are what set this place apart from the competition, with quirky artwork and decor and lush furnishings.

They offer a few rooms with baths, and these are really the highlight! Enjoy a good soak, while you gaze out to sea in utter tranquility. If you’re in search of boutique Bray hotels, you can’t go wrong here.

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3. The Martello Hotel 

The Martello offers 25 sublime en-suite bedrooms, beautifully decorated and supremely comfortable, with some boasting sea views. Located on the Bray Esplanade, it enjoys a central location, with an array of attractions close to hand.

Aside from the typical bedrooms, they also offer 19 self-catering apartments, ideal for a more private getaway.

For entertainment, you can enjoy an array of tipples at the hotel bar, and perhaps later head to the Koo nightclub, both located onsite.

There are also several places to grab some great food at the hotel, including the casual Tower Bistro, and seafood at Sharkbait Shelby’s.

Check prices + see more photos here

More Bray hotels with excellent reviews

Now that we have our favourite Bray hotels out of the way, it’s time to see what else this lively seaside town has to offer.

Below, you’ll find everything from spa hotels in Bray to accommodation that’s great for those of you looking to do the Bray Head Walk or the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk.

1. The Royal Hotel & Leisure Centre

Sitting in the heart of Bray, the Royal Hotel is one of the more popular spa hotels in Wicklow, and you’ll find it a short walk from the seafront, and is surrounded by quirky cafes, restaurants, pubs, and local attractions.

They offer 125 en-suite rooms, featuring traditional decor and cosy furnishings, as well as all the amenities you’d expect. The leisure centre boasts a heated, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, kids pool, and a range of spa treatments.

McGettigans Bar is the hotel bar, offering a casual and relaxed place to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Alternatively, Quin’s Bistro boasts a unique atmosphere and an award-winning menu.

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2. Firefly

Firefly offers a modern concept, with full self-service from check in to check out. The fully automated hotel puts you in charge, with control over the heating, free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and independence when it comes to your schedule.

Your phone is your key, so no need to queue to check in or out! The 18 en-suite rooms are all kitted out with mod-cons, Irish artwork, and comfy furniture.

The hotel enjoys an excellent location, superb amenities, and makes for the ideal base for a working holiday or long weekend in Bray.

A tranquil rainfall shower, followed by a local coffee from the Nespresso machine, is a sublime way to start the day! They also offer a number of special offers and packages to enjoy your stay to the full.

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3. Wilton Hotel Bray

The Wilton Hotel is located about 2.5 km outside of Bray, and is situated on Bray Head. This offers more tranquility, outside of the hubbub of the town, but it does mean that the attractions of the town aren’t on your doorstep.

However, the hotel is ideally located to enjoy the Bray Head Walk, Kilruddery House and Gardens, or a spot of golf at the Bray Golf Club.

The 102 spacious bedrooms come complete with en-suite bathrooms, modern amenities, and comfortable furnishings. The Wilton Lounge provides bar services each evening, as well as evening meals, in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

Check prices + see more photos here

FAQs About the best Bray hotels on offer

Since publishing our guide to the best Bray attractions many years ago, we’ve have heaps (literally!) of questions about where to stay in Bray.

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.

What are the best Bray hotels for a weekend break?

In my opinion, the Martello Hotel, 40 Winks and the Strand are the best of the many Bray hotels.

What are the most picturesque hotels in Bray?

If you’re in search of hotels in Bray with sea views, you can’t go wrong with a weekend at 40 Winks.