By Elaine Whelan
A trip away with the family is always a lovely treat but sometimes being cooped up in a small hotel room together can give you a severe case of cabin fever. When travelling with kids, the cost of eating out two or three times a day can easily add up. Self-catering accommodation offers a solution to both of these problems. Lodges and apartments offer families more space and bedrooms with the ease of being able to prepare food for your little ones whenever hunger strikes and saving some money while doing so. Check out some of these family homes away from home.
Gleneagle (Kerry)
Just 300m away from the popular Killarney Hotel, the Gleneagle River Apartments are the perfect choice for your family stay in bustling Kerry town. The four star apartments have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, accommodating five people in total. The kitchen area is stocked with a welcome pack of milk, cereals and bread upon arrival and the living area has a multi-channel TV. Guests staying at the apartments have complimentary use of the leisure facilities at the hotel such as the 25m pool, gym and sauna as well as the free kids club at peak times. There also a number of pet friendly apartments that can welcome up to two of your furry friends.
https://www.gleneaglehotel.com/
Vienna Woods Hotel (Cork)
The self-catering villas at the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire, County Cork provide the privacy of a detached home from home while still being able to avail of the hotel’s award winning restaurant, bar and 22 acres of secluded woodlands all while only being a ten-minute drive away from Cork City Centre. The villas can comfortably fit up to eight adults and everything you could ever possibly need throughout your stay such as underfloor heating, a washing machine and dryer and even a smoothie maker for a breakfast on the go when rushing to your next family adventure.
https://www.viennawoodshotel.com/index.html
Aherlow House Hotel (Tipperary)
Sitting directly at the foot of the beautiful Galtee Mountains in the Glen of Aherlow, the Scandinavian styled self-catering lodges here provide families with the height of serenity. Being a native of Tipperary myself I have often frequented this hotel and its beautiful setting. The lodges consist of three bedrooms, some of which have a balcony to enjoy the views, a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living area which backs onto a private decking area that offers views of the peaceful woodland setting of Aherlow. This truly is a place to take you away from it all.
Mount Wolseley Hotel and Resort (Carlow)
If luxury is what you’re looking for your little ones then then the self-catering resort houses at Mount Wolseley are a must visit. These elegant four bedroom houses can accommodate up to 7 people. The kitchen and living area has everything you will need for your stay. Guests staying in the houses also have access to the hotel amenities such as the 20-meter swimming pool and a children’s pool. Children can also enjoy the facilities like the playground, zip wire, soft playroom and family den, while teenagers can use the teen zone which is fully equipped with games and snooker table.
The Gold Coast Resort (Waterford)
Having worked at this Dungarvan resort for a number of months I can safely say that this is the ideal spot for families to escape to. There are four self-catering options for families to choose from. The spacious lodges are located in a housing estate style and offer plenty outside space for children to safely play on bikes or football. The lodges themselves are the largest accommodation on the resort and consist of four bedrooms, two bathrooms with an open plan kitchen diner which has all the amenities that your own home would have . The cottages are cosier in size with three bedrooms and are located beside the main hotel. The apartments available are very large in size and can sleep up to five people. Finally the villas are located a short five minute drive away from the main resort and back onto a large garden which looks onto to the golf course. These four bedroom villas are set in a more secluded area and is located just a few minutes’ walk away from the shore.
https://www.goldcoastgolfresort.com/cottages.html
Ocean Sands Hotel (Sligo)
With unrivalled views of the Enniscrone Beach in County Sligo, guests can relax in one of two or three bed apartments available at the Ocean Sands Hotel. These apartments are fully equipped with kitchen and living facilities and two bathrooms. Guests staying the apartments can also avail of the same amenities as the hotel guests such as thee Onyx Bar and the Dunes Restaurant or just enjoy the coastal charm in privacy.
https://www.theoceansandshotel.ie/
Clifden Station House (Galway)
Clifden Station house has some lovely self-catering options available for guests. These four star apartments come in the form of two of three bedroom apartments. The three bedroom apartment consists of one ensuite double bedroom and either a one double bedroom or one two single beds plus a single bedroom and bathroom. Baby travel cots are also available. The two bedroom with one master ensuite double bedroom, one double bedroom or two single beds and a bathroom. Guests also have access to all of the amenities of the hotel or can enjoy all that the beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara.
https://www.clifdenstationhouse.com/
Whitford Hotel (Wexford)
The Whitford Hotel offers self-catering accommodation in the form of the newly renovated Brambles. These lodges have four bedrooms, a king size with ensuite, a king size without ensuite, a double and a twin room, which can sleep up to eight people. Guests here can enjoy a private outdoor terrace dining area and lawn for the kids to run around in.
https://www.whitfordhotelwexford.ie/
The Gleneagle Hotel
