The Northwest
Favorite Places to Stay —
County Donegal Hotels & Guesthouses
Photos: The varied faces of County Donegal hotels include (top, left) The Sandhouse Hotel, Rossnowlagh; (top, right) Harvey's Point Hotel on Lough Eske near Donegal Town; (middle, left and right) Radisson SAS Hotel and Gallagher's Hotel, both in Letterkenny; (bottom, left) An Grianan Hotel at Burt near the Inishowen Peninsula; and (bottom, right) Rosapenna Hotel, Rosapenna.
PRICE
KEY
B&B per person per night
€ - under 50
€€ - 50 to 75
€€€ - 75 to 100
€€€€ - 100 to 150
€€€€€ - over 150
Hotels
An Grianan Hotel, N13, Speenogue, Burt, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-936-8900. Perched on a hillside with panoramic views, this totally non-smoking hotel is set beside the ancient Grianan fort, deep in the north Donegal countryside, at the entrance to the Inishowen Peninsula, and 15 minutes north of Letterkenny or 10 minutes south west of Derry. With a rounded stone exterior, the hotel conveys the visage of the ancient fort. The public areas are wide and spacious, with attractive Irish art. The 42 rooms offer contemporary furnishings with plasma screen TV, coffee-/tea-maker, hairdryer, personal safe and other amenities. Facilities include a restaurant set in an old church, bar and lounge. € to €€ Web site: www.angriananhotel.com
Bayview Hotel,
1-2 Main Street, Killybegs, Co. Donegal; tel. 074-973-1950; fax 074-973-1856;
e-mail: info@bayviewhotel.ie. For the briny
smell of the sea and fresh-caught fish, this is the place to be. Sitting
on the harbor in the middle of the fishing port of Killybegs, this four-story
3-star hotel exudes a nautical ambiance. Step outside the door and cross
the street to the Pier — here you can watch the fishing boats pull
into harbor and unload their catches or take a guided tour of the "Veronica,"
the queen of the Irish fishing fleet. Facilities include two bars, dining
room, and brasserie, all overlooking the harbor, plus a fully equipped
leisure center with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi,
and gym. The 40 guest rooms, many of which face the harbor, are modern
with light pine furnishings, brass accessories, and up-to-date amenities.
Closed: 25-27 Dec. €€
Web site: www.bayviewhotel.ie
Central Hotel, The Diamond, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
; tel. 074-972-1027; fax 074-972-2295; e-mail: centralhotel@eircom.net.
Perched on The Diamond, this four-story hotel is the focal point of Donegal
Town. Dating back to 1941, it has grown gradually over the years from
a small inn to a full-service 3-star hotel. There have been many additions
including a new wing at the back which faces the River Eske, and a state-of-the
art leisure center, with fully equipped gym, indoor swimming pool, steam
room, Jacuzzi, and solarium. The 112 guest rooms vary in size and décor,
but all feature modern amenities, and offer a choice of looking out over
The Diamond or facing bucolic river views. Facilities include a restaurant,
pub, and self-service brasserie which serves food all day. €€
Web site: www.whites-hotelsireland.com
Gallagher’s Hotel, 100 Main St., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, email: info@gallaghershotel.com. Tucked in the midst of the action of Letterkenny’s busy main thoroughfare, this new hotel stands out, with its four-story glass façade. The atmosphere is bright and airy with lots of glass, mirrors, leather seating, and a dazzling two-story chandelier that extends from the lobby to the mezzanine level. There are 92 fully air-conditioned guest rooms, each with plasma TV, tea/coffee-maker, hairdryer, and broadband access. Facilities include the Ard na gCeapairi Bistro, Inis Meain Bar (on the mezzanine level with panoramic views of Letterkenny), McCarry’s Bar, Milan nite club, and car parking. Closed: 23-27 December. €€ to €€€ Web site: www.gallaghershotel.com
Harvey’s Point Country Hotel, Lough Eske, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-972-2208; e-mail: info@harveyspoint.com. For a natural and unspoiled setting, it’s hard to beat this family-run hotel overlooking Lough Eske about three miles from town. Nestled amid ancient trees and surrounded by mountains, it has the aura of an Alpine country inn, and this is not surprising since it is owned by the Swiss family Gysling. Step inside and savor the old world comfort of open log fireplaces, dark carved woods, antiques, and 74 luxurious guest rooms. Public areas include a restaurant and bar with panoramic views of the lake and entertainment on Wednesdays and Fridays. €€ to €€€€ Web site: www.harveyspoint.com
Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Railway Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal; tel. 074-936-1144; fax 074-936-2278; e-mail: info@inishowengateway.com. Sitting beside a golf course on a panoramic stretch of land along the shores of Lough Swilly on the southern edge of Buncrana, this modern 3-star hotel is a good base for touring the Inishowen Peninsula and Ireland's northern coast. The spacious lobby conveys a welcoming ambiance, with a dramatic skylit gallery, decorative staircase, and helpful reception staff. Straight ahead is the Peninsula Bar, an in-house pub overlooking the golf course and Lough Swilly. The Peninsula Restaurant, one level above, enjoys the same expansive views. Other facilities include leisure centre, with indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and gym, and free golf on the adjacent Buncrana 9-hole golf course. The 79 guest rooms offer all the modern amenities including individual temperature control. If your room has a view of Lough Swilly, don't miss the spectacular sunsets. Closed: 24-26 Dec. € to €€ Web site: www.inishowengateway.com
Mill Park Hotel, The Mullins, Killybegs Rd., Donegal,
tel. 074-972-2880, fax 074-972-2640, e-mail: millparkhotel@eircom.net.
Situated on its own grounds on the west end of Donegal Town, this new
hotel is a welcome addition to the "tweed capital" of Ireland
— offering 100 deluxe contemporary guest rooms including air-conditioning
(so important now that Irish summers are getting warmer) and bathrooms
that have separate stall showers. The public areas, which are reminiscent
of an old mill, include a bright multi-story bar, restaurant, and a leisure
centre with a chlorine-free ozone pool, exercise studio, solarium, aerobics
gym, Jacuzzi, steam room, and therapy clinic. Best of all, there is ample
parking outside and it's an easy walk into town. Closed: 24-27 Dec. €
to €€€
Web site: www.millparkhotel.com
Radisson Hotel Letterkenny, The Loop Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-919-4444; email: info.letterkenny@radissonsas.com. Although it sits in the midst of a business corridor, this contemporary 3-story hotel is just a 5 minute walk to the main street of Letterkenny. In the usual Radisson style, it is contemporary in design and has furnishings with Scandinavian flair. There are 114 guest rooms (in categories of deluxe, family and business class), but only the business class rooms are air-conditioned. Each room has a TV, hospitality tray, mini-bar, safe, garment press, hair dryer, reading chair/desk and broadband access. Facilities include Tribeca Restaurant, the Oakk Grill Bar and a health and fitness club with a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, gym and weights room, plus car parking outside. Midweek specials are very good value. €€ to €€€ Web site: www.radissonsas.com
Ramada Encore Hotel, Lower Main St. at Pearse Rd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-912-3100; email: info@encoreletterkenny.com. Set on the edge of town on the banks of the River Swilly overlooking the Oldtown Bridge, this modern 4-story hotel provides basic quality rooms at budget prices. Although it faces a busy commercial road, it is an easy walk to the main street. There are 81 guest rooms, each with two double or twin beds, 20” flat-screen TV, hairdryer, coffee/tea-maker, and broadband access. Public areas include the Depot Café/Bar, and an ice machine, with ample parking outside. € to €€€ Web Site: www.encoreletterkenny.com
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links, Downings, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-915-5301; email: rosapenna@eircom.net. Since 1891, Rosapenna has been a golfer’s haven. Two championship 18-hole links courses are nestled at the top of Donegal on the Rosguill Peninsula where Sheephaven and Mulroy Bays converge, surrounded by mountain, ocean, sky and dunes. The modern 4-star hotel fits right it, with 53 classic and deluxe guest rooms, each with TV, refrigerator, iron, and hairdryer. Ground floor rooms are available. Facilities include restaurant overlooking the bay, a golf-themed bar, and a leisure centre with indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and steam room, plus a tennis court. But most of all, it is golf, golf and more golf that brings people here, again and again. Closed: 29 October – 16 March. €€ to €€€ Web site: www.rosapenna.ie
Sandhouse Hotel, Rossnowlagh, Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal;
tel. 071-985-1777; fax 071-985-2100; e-mail: info@sandhouse-hotel.ie.
No other Irish hotel has such an enviable location — on the beach
where the white sand meets the foam-capped Atlantic waters. Sit and listen
to the refreshing sea, surf the endless waves, or walk along the two-mile
crescent of beach — this is Rossnowlagh, meaning "heavenly cove"
in the Irish language, a place well named. The Sand House has been the
focal point of this heavenly cove for over 100 years — first as a
fishing lodge in 1886, later a thatched pub by 1906, and since 1949 as
hotel developed and run with utmost care by the Britton family. With a
mansard-style façade, this hotel is not a typical beach lodging, but a
classy 4-star manor house, with log fireplaces, antique furnishings, huge
bouquets of fresh flowers, and local art. Facilities include a top notch
dining room that specializes in local produce and seafood harvested in
Donegal Bay; two bars, and a glass-enclosed and plant-filled conservatory
lounge that is often sunlit and always bright with surrounding sea views;
glass elevator, and spa with Jacuzzi. The 60 guest rooms, many of which
offer large unobstructed panoramic views of the ocean, vary in size but
are all decorated with designer fabrics and period furniture including
armoires, vanities, and four-poster or canopy beds. Because of its location
between Sligo and Donegal towns, the Sand House is an ideal base for touring
the Northwest, although once you arrive, it's hard to leave this mesmerizing
setting. Closed: Dec. & Jan. €€€
to €€€€
Web site: www.sandhouse-hotel.ie
Silver Tassie Hotel, Ramelton Rd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal;
tel. 074-912-5619; fax 074-912-4473; e-mail: silvertassie@eircom.net.
This small 3-star hotel has long been a favorite with the locals who flock
to the popular restaurant and pub on the premises. Overlooking Lough Swilly
about 2 miles north of town, this country house-style hotel offers 36
guest rooms outfitted with all the modern comforts. It's a convenient
place to stay if you'd like to meet and mix with the locals or if you
are heading out to the Glenveagh National Park or toward the upper Donegal
peninsulas. Closed: December 25. €€
to €€€€
Web site: www.theblaneygroup.com
Solis Lough Eske Castle, Donegal, Co. Donegal, tel. 074-972-5100. At last Donegal has a 5-star castle! With its turrets, towers, statuary, and leaded windows, this new hotel has been built in lavish style on a site that has held a castle since 1474. Although little remains of earlier buildings, the fairytale-style exterior of the castle has been preserved from an 1860’s structure. Perfect for a honeymoon or special occasion, this hotel exudes a regal aura from the moment it comes into view via the long narrow driveway. The public areas are rich in elegant furnishings from marble floors and hand-carved wood stairways, to fine art and antiques. The 95 guest rooms, including ground floor rooms, are spread out in the main building as well as in garden and courtyard wings. Rooms are large and luxurious with bespoke furnishings (some with 4-poster beds), step-in closets, specially commissioned works of art, and spacious bathrooms with separate showers. Facilities include the Cedars Restaurant, two bars and a leisure centre with swimming pool, sauna, gym and spa treatment rooms. While it all seems grand, there is one disappointment. Although surrounded by ancient trees, the castle does not have any lake views – you have to walk down a path to see Lough Eske shoreline. €€€ to €€€€€ Web site: www.solislougheskecastle.ie
St. Ernan's House Hotel, St. Ernan's Island, Off Ballyshannon Road, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal; tel. 074-972-1065; fax 074-972-2098; e-mail: info@sainternans.com. A 7th century Irish monk has lent his name to this unique 4-star hotel — built on its own island planted with hawthorn and holly bushes. It is less than two miles south of Donegal Town via a small causeway, yet it seems centuries away. The hotel is a former Georgian country house built in 1826, with an interior of open log fireplaces, ornate plasterwork, high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, gilt-framed oil paintings, and lots of antiques. The 10 guest rooms, many of which have views of the water, are furnished in traditional style, with dark woods, period pieces, designer fabrics, and floral art, The dining room is highly acclaimed in its own right. Closed: Oct. to May. €€€€ to €€€€€ Web site: www.sainternans.com
Guesthouses
Donegal Manor, Clar Road, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal; tel. 071-972-5222; fax 074-972-5688;
e-mail: info@donegalmanor.com.
Located north of town, this new (2004) purpose-built guesthouse offers the best of both worlds — the
warmth of an open turf/log fire in the parlor and luxurious amenities such as a power shower, TV, telephone, refreshment tray and internet access in each of the 9 rooms. In addition, there is Nana Murphy's Tea Room for buffet breakfast, snacks and light suppers, as well as free laundry facilities for guests staying two or more nights. Closed:
23-26 Dec. € to
€€ Web site: www.donegalmanor.com
LaVerna House, Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal;
tel. 071-985-1342; fax 071-985-2206; e-mail: franciscanfriary@eircom.net.
Nestled on the oceanfront grounds of the Franciscan Friary, this guesthouse
is ideal for a few days of spiritual ambiance. While the house is devoted
primarily to organized group retreats during the summer months of June-September,
rooms with meals are available for individual travelers seeking peace
and tranquility during Oct.-May. Space books up fast, so advance reservations
are necessary. Closed: 23-28 Dec. €
Web site: www.geocities.com/friaryrossnowlagh
Woodhill House, off the Donegal Road, Ardara, Co. Donegal;
tel. 074-954-1112; fax 074-954-1516; e-mail: yates@iol.ie.
Dating back to the 17th century and nestled amid wooded grounds, this
3-star guesthouse overlooks the Donegal Highlands on the outskirts of
Ardara just 1/4 mile from town. Owners Nancy and John Yates offer 9 guest
rooms (3 in an adjoining coach house), each furnished in historic style
with modern conveniences. Facilities include a restaurant and bar on the
premises. Closed: 20-27 Dec. €
to €€
Web site: www.woodhillhouse.com
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