A few travel tips on hotels/bed and breakfasts from my recent (April 2009) trip to Ireland!
Dublin:
Best bet: Maldron Hotel Smithfield . This modern hotel is walking distance to downtown (and two blocks from the popular Jameson Distillery). There is a small organic grocery, complete with coffee bar, next to the hotel which is convenient for morning breakfasts. Through an Internet Special I found rooms for 65 Euros a night, a steal for the location.Doolin (the next stop on the itinerary):
Cullinan's Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast: this bed and breakfast is in the heart of Doolin (which does not say much as Doolin is--literally--a two stop sign town and a three pub town, though I only found two) with a delicious gourmet breakfast. Cost: 35 Euros per person/sharing.
Killarney (a jumping off spot for the Dingle Penisula)
Larkinley Lodge was a spectular find as we wandered around lost. It is briefly mentioned in Moon Handbooks Ireland (copyright 2007), but the guidebook, given its dated nature, does not mention the one most important, outstanding fact. Larklinley Lodge was remodeled last year--as it, the owners knocked the building and rebuilt it from scratch. The result is a beautiful, new bed and breakfast facility is amazing. Marble tile in the foyer, flat screen TVs in all of the guestrooms, new carpet and furniture, and skylights in the guest bathrooms. Cost: 35 Euros per person/sharing. Toni, the host, is an absolute delight (and if you're lucky you'll get to meet her granddaughter) and she even called ahead for us for a reservation in Blarney!
The Larkinley Lodge, as I write, is so new that it is still trying to get its VISA machine working so..right now...it is Euros only. I highly recommend this bed and breakfast!
