4 of the Best Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula

Daniel Stockman via Flickr

Ireland’s westernmost point is an ancient landscape with an incredibly rugged, but beautiful, coastline. Dingle town, which has an artsy, craftsy lure of the alternative about it, is the centre of the peninsula, but you can find the best hotels on the Dingle Peninsula tucked away in the tiny, picturesque hamlets and villages too.

Daniel Stockman via Flickr

Our Guru’s recommendations for the best hotels on the Dingle Peninsula offer that over-used expression ‘breathtaking’ views, but it’s hard to describe them any other way. They really do cause you to stop what you’re doing and take notice of them. Most of them also offer peace and tranquility, some close access to the Atlantic, and some to the Dingle Way. But they all offer the friendly welcome this region is known for, and an ideal base for exploring this amazing landscape.

Tony Bowden via Flickr

Mount Brandon overlooks much of the peninsula, and underneath its gaze you’ll find the ancient Christian chapels and holy wells, and the prehistoric ring forts which were here before them. You’ll also see the wonderfully conical huts and colourful country lanes dividing up the green and linking the pretty villages and hamlets.

ilaria via Flickr

The Dingle Peninsula is known for its rich cultural heritage, and there’s a lot to see, but it’s worth checking out the Iron Age Dún Beag fort. On the site is the remains of the outer wall, plus the house and the beehive hut. And just up the hill from the fort is a museum - Famine Cottage, built in 1845 and a good example of what was available to people here during the famine. The Dingle Peninsula also has a Celtic and Prehistoric Museum, a local museum, some seriously beautiful churches, distilleries and the strikingly beautiful Gallarus Oratory, one of Ireland’s most amazing ancient buildings, a strange, smooth up-turned boat of a thing in a remote and atmospheric location.

Daniel Stockman via Flickr

Some visitors to the Dingle Peninsula are here to walk the Dingle Way, or scale a mountain or two, the the Dingle Peninsula does have some if Ireland’s highest. But some are here to enjoy the craic at the lively pubs and music venues. Or to just take windswept walks along near-pristine beaches. You'll find that our pick of the best hotels on the Dingle Peninsula will enable you to do all this and more.

The Best Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula

The Best Hotel Views on the Dingle Peninsula

Castlewood House

  • Castlewood House enjoys breathtaking views over Dingle Bay and beyond, and behind it are the gentle green hills of the peninsula. The Castlewood’s award-winning gourmet breakfast is what makes this 14 room B&B so special, with a dazzling array of home-made choices. The luxurious Junior Suites have their own hot tubs.
  • Gorman's Clifftop House is a purpose built restaurant with eight rooms, in a wonderful spot overlooking both the Atlantic and Mount Brandon. The restaurant prides itself on its locally sourced specialities and you’ve direct access to the Dingle Way.

The Most Romantic Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula

Emlagh House

  • Emlagh House is a ten room B&B converted from a fine Georgian house. The rooms have a wildflower theme with art, plush fabrics and Victorian antiques. There’s also an elegant lounge and neat gardens.

The Best Value Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula

An Riasc

  • At more than two hundred years old, the stone farmhouse of An Riasc has plenty of charm, as well as four individually decorated B&B rooms. The bedrooms offer plenty of pine and patchwork and the breakfasts are huge and feature home-made breads and preserves. You can also arrange full-scale dinners. Which you might need if you’re dropping in here whilst walking the Dingle Way.

If you haven't found your idea of the perfect hotel on the Dingle Peninsula on our Guru's list of 4 of the Best Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula, you could:

4 of the Best Hotels on the Dingle Peninsula

  • Castlewood House Dingle 14 rooms from $100

    B&B  -  Superb award winning, gourmet breakfasts, with a wonderful array of homemade soda bread, scones, jam and fresh local produce
    Sea Views  -  Uninterrupted views of Dingle Bay and gentle hills behind the hotel
    Views  -  Stunning views over Dingle Bay
    Rural
    GardenViews
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays

    Overlooking magical Dingle Bay, Castlewood House is a very comfortable bed and breakfast. The award winning gourmet breakfast is what Castlewood is all about, with a dazzling array of delectable dishes, homemade bread, jams, pancakes, porridge with Cooley Whisky, Dingle kippers and the full Irish. See More

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  • An Riasc Dingle, County Kerry 4 rooms from $89

    Great walks  -  Is on the renowned "Dingle Way" walk
    Outstanding location  -  Located in an idyllic setting where the mountains meet the sea
    Views  -  Great views of the Three Sisters peaks
    Back to Nature
    GardenViews

    A charming stonebuilt 200 year old farmhouse turned B&B in the Dingle Peninsula. Four individually decorated bedrooms with plenty of pine & patchwork. Huge breakfasts with home-made breads and preserves. Four course dinners on request. A great spot for walking enthusiasts & nature lovers. See More

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  • Emlagh House Dingle Town 10 rooms from $145

    Local exploring  -  Plenty of outdoors fun nearby, such as fishing, cycling, walking trips, and Dingle's superb seafood restaurants
    Birdwatching  -  A private guide can be arranged for this also to take guests along to various beauty spots
    Fishing  -  Sea fishing can be arranged by hotel
    Great walks  -  Good for walkers.
    Air conditioningGardenDisabled accessParkingNo pets
    Recommended by  -  Fodors

    Charming B&B in Georgian house. Rooms are themed on wildflowers and feature artworks, plush fabrics and Victorian antiques. Elegant lounge with open fireplace, neat gardens. Very friendly service. Ideal for a weekend break. See More

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  • Gorman's Clifftop House Ballydavid, County Kerry 8 rooms from $122

    Views  -  Enjoy stunning sunsets over the Atlantic and views over Mount Brandon
    Great walks  -  Direct access on to the famous 180km "Dingle Way"
    Restaurant  -  Overlooking Smerwick Harbour
    Back to Nature
    RestaurantViews
    Recommended by  -  Sawdays, Good Hotel Guide

    Purpose built restaurant with rooms with stunning vista over both the Atlantic and Mount Brandon. Spacious, stylish, contemporary bedrooms make the most of the views. Highly recommended restaurant serving regional specialities from locally sourced ingredients. Ideal for walkers and outdoorsy types. See More

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Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh

posted Monday, 27th February 2023