Planning a staycation in Ireland can be somewhat tricky for those with more than two or three kids.
Planning a staycation in Ireland can be somewhat tricky for those with more than two or three kids, trust me I know - I'm expecting my fifth. Then, of course, there are hotels who claim to cater for larger families only to find yourself couped in what seems like your back bedroom with your growing brood. So with this mind, I've compiled a list of tried and tested hotel rooms for larger families that I would wholeheartedly return to.
Redcastle Hotel, Donegal
Sitting on a stunning waterfront location, overlooking Lough Foyle on the Inishowen Peninsula, Redcastle offers spacious family rooms with roll-out double beds, single beds and cots on request in beautifully furnished interconnecting rooms. The waterfront hotel also offers in-room entertainment with a DVD and a selection of DVDs are available from reception, a superb kids menu and an action-packed kids club from Sunday to Thursday during school holidays. The indoor swimming pool opens daily from 10am-12.30pm and 4pm-7pm and during the warmer months the lake right on its doorstep is a haven for little people.
Woodlands Hotel, Limerick
Situated just a few minutes from Adare Castle, the Woodlands Hotel offer reasonably priced spacious interconnecting rooms accommodating families with up to four children. On-site kids will adore the activity packs on arrival, complimentary kids club, 20-meter swimming pool and a kids pool, the woodlands fairy trail and mini petting farm. Timmy Macs Bistro also offers a large kids menu offering something to suit all taste buds.
Quality Hotel, Cork
The Quality Hotel in Youghal caters for larger families with stunning suites and on-site holiday homes perfect for families with up to four children. With a full range of amenities, it's a one-stop shop for a summer staycation with seaside views. Families will love the kids club, swimming pool facilities and kids camp complete with disco's, a cinema club, trips to the beach and arts & crafts.
The Connacht Hotel, Galway
Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Connacht Hotel offers two types of accommodation for larger families. Choose between interconnecting rooms or one of their new bunk bed family rooms which both hold two adults, three children and an infant in a cot. Supervised activities take place every weekend and daily during school holidays at their dedicated Kids Club, Friendly Fellows. The swimming pool on-site also boasts a large laned swimming area, a separate recreational swimming area, and a shallow children's pool area.
Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Connacht Hotel offers two types of accommodation for larger families. Choose between interconnecting rooms or one of their new bunk bed family rooms which both hold two adults, three children and an infant in a cot. Supervised activities take place every weekend and daily during school holidays at their dedicated Kids Club, Friendly Fellows. The swimming pool on-site also boasts a large laned swimming area, a separate recreational swimming area, and a shallow children's pool area.
Lough Allen Hotel, Leitrim
Located in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, Lough Allen provide a great range of family accommodation, ranging from standard family rooms, interconnecting rooms, and apartments for bigger families. Family activities include a 15m pool and children’s splash pool, a peak season kids club, games room and an outdoor play area.
Treacys Hotel, Wexford
Treacy's in Enniscorthy generally cater for families of up to five guests, however, there is also an option of an interconnecting guest room which can cater for larger family parties of up to seven guests. With three dining options, a kids club, a waterfront leisure centre with a 20m swimming pool and a kids pool with lots of toys, this hotel won't disappoint. Every Wednesday the hotel host a movie night on a big screen with free popcorn.
Kellie Kearney is a Dublin mammy of 4 kids aged 2, 3, 5 and 9 (and she is expecting baby #5 in May). Described as a self-confessed procrastinator and picker-upper of things, Kellie would never turn down a coffee, loves to travel and shares her every day true to life moments on Instagram.
