Clifden Hotels – Great 3 And 4 Star Hotels That Are Worth A Visit In Ireland

It is a simple fact that the majority of visitors to the coastal village of Clifden are primarily there to experience the wonderful countryside of the Connemara region. The three hotels chosen here are all within a short drive of the Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey and the other attractions in the area.

Clifden is the unofficial capital of Connemara. This picturesque town at the head of Clifden Bay sits along the Owenglin River and consists of quaint old houses that are tightly packed into winding streets. The best hotels in the area are all located on the outskirts of the village in the surrounding countryside.

One of the most recognizable buildings in town is the 4-star Abbeyglen Castle Hotel which overlooks the village. Extensive renovations over recent decades have resulted in this authentic castle sporting some of the finest grounds, sea-views and interior design of any hotel in the area. The renovations refreshed all the spacious guest rooms, maintaining period features such as architraves and the high ceilings while introducing more modern contemporary en-suites. The restaurant is popular with guests and locals alike (which is always a good sign) for their traditional Irish cuisine that includes many dishes based on the excellent local produce which Galway is famous for (seafood, lamb).

For a more contemporary hotel, the 3-star Ardagh Hotel on the road out of Clifden is favored by those seeking a hotel that is a little closer to nature, with walking trails, horse-riding, golfing and fishing all on its doorstep. The hotel has a great laid-back atmosphere thanks to the friendly staff and all guest rooms are modern in style. The west-facing rooms have the best views of the bay and east-facing rooms have splendid views of the countryside. The award-winning restaurant on the second floor has an excellent menu of modern dishes and the panoramic views from the dining room make it a very popular location on summer evenings for a romantic location to enjoy watching the sun set.

Finally the Renvyle Country House Hotel is a charming old country manor hotel which has its own private beach, golf course and tennis courts. This is the most remote of the Clifden hotels in this list and the benefit of the hotel’s rural setting is that it has a huge number of walking trails all starting from the hotel’s grounds. Inside the hotel the traditional style of the furnishings is fits in well with the building’s age and all guest rooms are tastefully and elegantly appointed with large en-suites. The hotel restaurant often plays host to gourmet weekends. But guests do not have to wait for these special occasions to enjoy some great food here as the sumptuous dining is provided throughout the year which combines Irish and French cuisine which makes good use of seasonal produce. If you enjoyed reading this post about hotels in Clifden then check out our other articles about Clifden Ireland and other places. And as a little extra bonus, here a “flight over Ireland” video: