When it comes to romantic getaways, Ireland oozes with fairytale romance.
From moss-covered magical castles to luxury properties in the lush countryside, these recommendations span from coast to coast with something for every couple.
Whether you’re traveling with your significant other for your honeymoon, a babymoon, or just heading to Ireland for a vacation, everything on our list will surely spark love in the Irish air.
On the culinary side, if you know us, anything romantic also has to have delicious dining options as well.
From morning until dinner, these locations all have fantastic culinary programs and options.
All of these luxurious accommodations offer free breakfast, from an expansive buffet in the dining room of a castle, to a curated picnic basket of breakfast foods delivered to your luxury glamping dome.
Learn more about these incredible places to stay in Ireland for couples:
Old World Elegance at the Glenlo Abbey
Glenlo Abbey is the ultimate luxury in the Galway area.
Without question, it’s the best hotel to stay at if you are looking for a luxury hotel but still want to be near the active area of Galway, Ireland.
This estate and five star hotel is just a short drive to Galway city center where you can enjoy all the live music that the area is known for.
The Glenlo Abbey was built in the 1740s and covers an expansive 138 acres. The grounds themselves are stunning.
Upon checking in, you’ll be welcomed by cozy open fires in the reception area as well as in the bar and sitting areas.
The spacious rooms include a sitting area near the large bedroom window that overlooks the expansive golf course.
Or, if you’re looking for more space, choose a private, luxury lodge.
If spending time on golf courses isn’t of interest, consider booking one of the other unique experiences available through the Glenlo Abbey.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. You may want to take their bicycles around the trails of the jaw-dropping property or take a scenic boat trip on their lake.
There is even an on-property excursion featuring falconry!
Learn about the history of falconry at Irish castles and manor houses and snap a photo with a feathery friend.
During our stay, we decided to take a romantic excursion so we booked a horse riding adventure through the Glenlo Abbey.
A driver took us on a short ride to grassy pastures where we climbed atop our horses and took a scenic ride along the Irish countryside.
This romantic stay at the Glenlo Abbey isn’t complete without a meal at the award-winning restaurant.
The Pullman restaurant is actually a retired train car from the Orient Express and was featured in the movie Murder on the Orient Express.
The dining experience transports you back in time with old world glamor and exceptional service, which makes it one of the best places to celebrate a special occasion.
Even if you cannot stay at Glenlo Abbey you should make a reservation for the Pullman.
A trip to Ireland isn’t complete without a visit to Galway, and the Glenlo Abbey is the best place to stay in the area.
Experience Regal Luxury at the Ballynahinch Castle
One can not go to Ireland for a romantic vacation and not stay in a castle.
The Ballynahinch Castle is an awe-inspiring estate with a cozy, welcoming feel.
We were lucky enough to visit just a few weeks after the debut of their new, lakefront wood-fired saunas.
The saunas have a pristine view of the lake and Irish forest, but provide total privacy to those inside the sauna.
After booking a session, you’ll take a private golf cart through the forest to the destination sauna.
You’re provided with a basket with slippers, water, fruit, and towels, which provides a thoughtful touch.
These luxury saunas not only look beautiful, they make you feel amazing.
You can alternate between taking a cold plunge in the local lake or cooling yourself with the shower buckets of water once you start to feel too warm from the wood fired sauna.
After the perfect afternoon relaxing in nature, we headed to their Fisherman’s pub where we savored the best mussels we have ever tasted.
The Mussels come from the nearby Killary fjord which is located just minutes away from the castle, and it’s the only fjord of Ireland.
The portion was probably big enough for three people, arriving in a stock pot that should be used to simmer a large pot of soup.
The mussels tasted clean, fresh, with the essence of the local waterways and were complimented with a broth that had us sipping it from the pot at the end of the meal.
Their fries were also perfectly crispy and an essential complement to the mussels.
Although this is technically a pub, it’s super cozy and romantic in its own way, for a much more relaxed dinner.
If you’re looking for a white tablecloth experience, the dining room is more of a fine dining setting with a pre-fixe menu.
The complimentary breakfast is hosted in that dining room, which features breathtaking views of the lake.
Enjoy an expansive European breakfast buffet, complete with a sweet, roasted leg of ham, available for slicing.
Then order breakfast from their hot breakfast menu to enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast or a luscious benedict.
In your free time, spend time with an estate tour, a fishing excursion, wander the walled garden, or relax in your castle accommodations.
The hotel room was full of old-world charm, and our room even had a patio which overlooked the lake and trails.
We only had one night at the castle, but whenever we can make it back to Ireland we will need a few nights to just relax and enjoy the lush, manicured grounds.
Pamper Yourselves at the Ice House Hotel
For an incredible hotel experience in Mayo county, head to the Ice House Hotel.
Here we were treated to a lakeside seaweed soak, saunas, hot tubs, steam room, and incredible views of the waterway.
This hotel was once an actual ice house for the town, where fishermen would toss their fresh catch of the day down through a hole into the ice-filled room below.
The Ice House still celebrates the rich history by displaying that feature in their hotel reception check in area.
Today it is a destination spa in the town of Ballina, Ireland.
The spa suite guest rooms offer stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, framing the picturesque waterway like a mural for your hotel room.
Walking from your spa suite brings you through their full award-winning spa, which means your hallway is filled with tranquil scents and soft, relaxing music.
You’ll pass beautiful relaxation lounges and treatment rooms offering couples massage and facial treatments.
We wandered past all the rooms to bring ourselves to the outdoor thermal suites where a seaweed bath for two was waiting for us.
Two large tubs sitting next to each other were filled with fresh local seaweed, which offered incredible moisturizing benefits, much like an aloe plant.
We were served some complimentary raspberry gelato and hot tea and also had the option of adding on a glass of sparkling wine.
We cheersed our glasses as we took in the spectacular views from the seaweed bath and then ventured to the other thermal spa offerings.
You really don’t even need to leave the hotel as the restaurant is the top-rated dining establishment in the area.
They offer a menu featuring many different global-inspired dishes.
We enjoyed the oh-so-tender short ribs with Guiness and rosemary sauce as well as the Barbary duck that was served two ways: seared as well as confit and wrapped in a crispy egg roll wrapper.
Leaving the Ice House Hotel will instill deep relaxation and a romantic connection with your loved one.
Immerse in Nature at Finn Lough
When traveling across the border to Northern Ireland, you can’t immerse yourself into the elements more than at Finn Lough.
This luxurious nature retreat is far from “roughing it”.
In most instances where glamping is marketed as an artificially manufactured way to enjoy the elements, Finn Lough couldn’t be more opposite.
You are fully immersed in nature while at Finn Lough.
We were transported to a place of relaxation and serenity as we stayed in their premium bubble dome.
The transparent bubble walls showcased the forest of Northern Ireland as the leaves were starting to transition from lush greenery to a vibrant golden yellow.
Our private bathtub just called for a relaxing soak using their complementary Finn Lough milk bath as we could hear the birds chirping through the otherside of the dome, relishing in Ireland’s natural beauty.
The four-post bed had nearly a 300 degree view of the forest and on a clear night you could even see the night’s stars.
Finn Lough took great care in spreading the bubble domes and accommodations across the vast woodland acreage, so that you can relax in complete privacy.
However, the resort also fostered a sense of community with guests during moments of complementary coffee and mimosas at the lakeside dock cafe, around cozy fireplaces in the lounges, or at the nightly movie screening in the vintage cinema.
Many produce items are grown on site, which makes dining at Finn Lough fresh and local.
The mushroom toast had us begging for another bite and the sous vide chicken with XO sauce was masterfully cooked, creating some of the juiciest chicken we have tasted in years.
The biggest highlight from Finn Lough was their spa offerings, from a private hot tub soak on the shore to the Elements Spa Trail, be sure to read more about this in our article on Forest Bathing in Ireland.
It was such a memorable experience, we can’t wait to return to Finn Lough again one day.
Experience the Ultimate City Getaway at The Mayson Dublin
If you can spring it, the Warehouse Penthouse at The Mayson is one of the most incredible hotel rooms in terms of layout and amenities that we have ever stayed in.
Imagine sitting in your private hot tub overlooking the Liffey River only to discover the ROOF IS RETRACTABLE!
The expansive patio features two sun loungers, an outdoor sitting area, an outdoor dining area and a wooden outdoor hot tub, filled with fresh water.
This entire area has expansive views of Dublin’s famous waterway and the retractable room opens up to fresh irish air and glistening stars in the nighttime.
The actual hotel room has contemporary design and floor to ceiling glass doors that open to that stunning patio, allowing you to bring the outside into your room.
The room feels like an entire apartment, featuring a separate living room, main bath area with a contemporary shower, and the bedroom which also features a jaw-dropping bathtub made entirely of glistening copper.
The tub comes complete with bath salts and a tub caddy with a champagne glass, just begging to hold your favorite book as you soak in the copper oasis.
Even if you do not stay in the Warehouse Penthouse, the hotel offers a close location to the river, plus great hotel amenities like a gym, swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.
The Mayson is a boutique hotel with a vibey, posh interior and even offers a rooftop restaurant on the top floor overlooking the Liffey River and Dublin City.
Be sure to read more about our luxurious Dublin getaway for more luxe hospitality recommendations.
Our journey to Ireland exceeded all expectations thanks to the luxurious and unique accommodations that proved to be the best places to stay in Ireland for couples.
We can assure you that no matter your itinerary in Ireland, adding any or all of these hotels will act as the perfect base for your Irish destinations.
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