Ireland has been keenly focused on growing its tourism industry by attracting a greater share of global guests to the Emerald Isle as of late. There’s no doubt that Irish hotels have been working hard to keep up with demand, especially in Dublin and across the countryside. If you’re a hotel manager, I’m sure you’re sitting there nodding your head in agreement. One day you’re working in the back office, thinking of ways to improve your core offering and win more bookings. The next day, you’re right out there in the thick of it at the front desk, giving patrons a dose of the beloved Irish hospitality.
Simply put, hotel managers like yourself have their work cut out for them. You’re trying to stand out from the competition as Ireland becomes an increasingly sought-after destination by globe trotters. And, in doing so, you’ve got our attention.
Now, it’s time to show the world of travellers just how much your efforts have paid off.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived: the announcement of the national winners of the trivago Awards 2017.
In this blog post we’ll reveal the 10 award-winning hotels in Ireland for each of the categories most important to travellers:
- Breakfast
- Value for Money
- Service
- Rooms
- Alternative Accommodations
- 3-Star Hotels
- 4-Star Hotels
- 5-Star Hotels
Introducing the trivago Awards 2017
trivago is empowering hoteliers to take control of the online visibility of their hotel profile, be more competitive online, and drive direct bookings. We aspire to be the number-one marketing channel for hoteliers by reinventing the way they connect with trivago’s travellers—via trivago Business Studio, our free metasearch marketing platform exclusively for hoteliers.
The trivago Awards 2017 gives hoteliers the chance to uniquely highlight and publicise their achievements to a world of travellers, both on and offline.
In discussing the Awards, Johannes Thomas, Managing Director at trivago, said: “We aggregate and analyse more than 175 million hotel reviews from websites all over the world. This gives us strong insights into what hotels are particularly good at.” He added: “Our trivago awards recognise those hoteliers who deliver an exceptional experience to their guests, and we are proud and delighted to award those achievements.”
What’s in it for the hotels?
Prestige, of course.
The trivago Awards are highly esteemed by guests and hoteliers alike. Travellers recognise the quality of award-winning hotels and search for them specifically on our website.
All winning hotels receive a series of exclusive award-indicators that will increase their visibility and guest appeal and further set them apart—certificates to display in their hotels; widgets to place on homepages, and more. And the single top hotel in each category also gets to take home a coveted trivago Awards trophy along with a winner’s badge for their hotel profile.
So without further ado, let’s find out who the winners are.
Top 10 5-Star Hotels
This year, the number-one 5-star hotel in Ireland is The Merrion.
Known for their gracious provisions of Irish living, delicious culinary offerings, and understated elegance, The Merrion excels at every aspect of a guest’s stay. Guests laud the service as “exceptional” and “totally amazing”, going as far as pairing 5-star reviews with claims that the service at The Merrion has increased “expectations for hotels everywhere”.
Peter MacCann, General Manager, says: “We take pride in making Dublin’s most luxurious 5 Star hotel a home from home for all our guests,” and says award recognition is “attributable to what The Merrion does best – excelling in the art of hospitality.”
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of 5-Star Hotels in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | The Merrion | Dublin |
| 2 | The Killarney Park Hotel | Killarney |
| 3 | Hayfield Manor | Cork |
| 4 | The Marker | Dublin |
| 5 | The Westbury | Dublin |
| 6 | The Europe Hotel & Resort | Killarney |
| 7 | Ashford Castle | Cong |
| 8 | The Dunloe | Killarney |
| 9 | Powerscourt Hotel, Autograph Collection | Enniskerry |
| 10 | Aghadoe Heights | Killarney |
Top 10 4-Star Hotels
This year, the number-one 4-star hotel in Ireland is Harvey’s Point.
Run by a close-knit family, the owners had this to say about winning the coveted trivago Awards 2017:
“The goal of the Gysling family and the Team at Harvey’s Point Hotel, Lough Eske, Donegal, is to make each and every guest welcome, from the moment of their arrival to the point when we wave them ‘Goodbye’. We do this by providing luxury accommodation, gourmet food, many ‘little extras’ and most of all, by personally engaging with everyone who visits us. Being recognised by trivago clients for our excellence is a reward which we cherish. We thank everyone of our guests who submitted a review and we look forward to offering them a warm Donegal welcome when they return.”
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of 4-Star Hotels in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Harvey’s Point | Donegal |
| 2 | The Ross | Killarney |
| 3 | Strandhill Lodge and Suites | Strandhill |
| 4 | Park Place Apartments | Killarney |
| 5 | Ard Na Sidhe | Killorglin |
| 6 | Lough Inagh Lodge | Clifden |
| 7 | No1 Pery Square & Spa | Limerick |
| 8 | Talbot | Belmullet |
| 9 | Cork International Hotel | Cork |
| 10 | River Lee | Cork |
Top 10 3-Star Hotels
This year, the number-one 3-star hotel in Ireland is Killeen House.
Notable amongst patrons for their charming facade, unparalleled scenery, and proximity to championship golf, Killeen House approaches all aspects of the guest experience in harmony. Only a hotel that truly excels in each guest touch point, can win both at the star level and in any specific, stand-alone category, like service.
Reacting to winning this Award, Michael Rosney, who along with his wife Geraldine has owned and managed the Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant since 1992, said “Ourselves and the entire team here in the Killeen House are especially thrilled to win this Award because it’s one that can only be won by looking after and satisfying the most important people of all to our business, and that is of course our guest. It is them and them alone who have decided that we are worthy of this wonderful recognition and for that we are truly thankful. It tells us that we are doing our jobs well, and – just as importantly – it motivates us to try even harder to do all that we can do to continue to welcome and serve all of our guests in the best possible way”.
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of 3-Star Hotels in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Killeen House | Killarney |
| 2 | East Clare Golf Village | Bodyke |
| 3 | The Ashe | Tralee |
| 4 | Ballyliffin Townhouse | Ballyliffin |
| 5 | Riverside Sligo | Sligo |
| 6 | An Grianan | Burt |
| 7 | Lawlors | Naas |
| 8 | Tara | Killybegs |
| 9 | McSweeney Arms | Killarney |
| 10 | Belleek Castle | Ballina |
Top 10 Hotels with the Best Breakfast
This year, the best hotel breakfast in Ireland can be enjoyed at the Ariel House.
Known for their three charming Victorian buildings that have been meticulously restored, Ariel House blends classic style with modern amenities.
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of Breakfast in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Ariel House | Dublin |
| 2 | Garnish House | Cork |
| 3 | Wynn’s | Dublin |
| 4 | Ashling | Dublin |
| 5 | Cork International Hotel | Cork |
| 6 | Limerick Strand | Limerick |
| 7 | Belvedere Lodge | Cork |
| 8 | Hilton Dublin Airport | Dublin |
| 9 | Pembroke Townhouse | Dublin |
| 10 | Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone | Athlone |
Top 10 Hotels with the Best Value for Money
This year, the best value for money in Ireland can be found at Avlon House in Carlow.
Known for their attention to detail, made-to-order breakfasts and star-hotel quality rooms, owner Tom Donagher had this to say about providing award-winning value:
“We at Avlon House B&B are very grateful to all our past guests for taking time to review their experience at our 5 guest bedroom boutique Bed and breakfast. Its only through their support our efforts to achieve perfection on a daily basis have being recognised by trivago.
All we try to do is give visitors to our home a comfortable stay in a warm environment with clean well equipped en-suite room followed by a hearty breakfast from our menu.
It is important to us in a busy world that guest’s quality leisure time is respected at all times, offering advice on request and privacy, tranquility and peace as standard.”
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of Value for Money in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Avlon House | Carlow |
| 2 | TurfnSurf Lodge | Donegal |
| 3 | Áras Ghleann Cholm Cille | Donegal |
| 4 | Oranhill Lodge | Galway |
| 5 | Rowan Tree | Clare |
| 6 | The Ritz | Donegal |
| 7 | Augusta Lodge | Mayo |
| 8 | Killeen House | Kerry |
| 9 | Valley Lodge Farm | Mayo |
| 10 | The White House | Cork |
Top 10 Hotels with the Best Service
Making a second appearance in top position, this time for best service, is Killeen House.
Guests at the Killeen House rave about the culinary prowess of Head Chef, Paul O’Gorman, and his team, and cannot stop talking about the charm and caring nature of the staff. Owners Michael and Geraldine have a delightful little series of one-minute videos that showcases Killarney to travellers perusing accommodations online, too. This is just one of many examples that relay the sheer passion that the owners have and the extra mile they go when it comes to serving the needs of travellers.
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of Service in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Killeen House | Killarney |
| 2 | Oranhill Lodge | Oranmore |
| 3 | Harvey’s Point | Donegal |
| 4 | Algret House | Killarney |
| 5 | Kinlay Eyre Square | Galway |
| 6 | The Marker | Dublin |
| 7 | No1 Pery Square & Spa | Limerick |
| 8 | The Merrion | Dublin |
| 9 | Hayfield Manor | Cork |
| 10 | Snoozles | Galway |
Top 10 Hotels with the Best Rooms
Another hotel to take out a second top prize, for rooms, is Harvey’s Point.
With captivating views of the surrounding mountains and picturesque lake, it’s no wonder guests can’t say enough about the atmosphere. The special care taken with regards to the interior wooden panelling, chandeliers, art, and the turf fire make Harvey’s Point even more notable amongst travellers. Additionally, guests can’t seem to get enough of the incredibly spacious rooms, and “lovely breakfast”. The welcoming fireplace is just a bonus.
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of Rooms in Ireland.
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | Harvey’s Point | Donegal |
| 2 | Powerscourt Hotel, Autograph Collection | Enniskerry |
| 3 | The Croke Park | Dublin |
| 4 | Solis Lough Eske Castle & Spa | Donegal |
| 5 | Cork International Hotel | Cork |
| 6 | The Gibson | Dublin |
| 7 | The Marker | Dublin |
| 8 | Emlagh House | Dingle |
| 9 | The Merrion | Dublin |
| 10 | Avlon House | Carlow |
Top 10 Bed and Breakfasts
This year, the best Bed and Breakfast in Ireland is The Tides B&B.
Known for their close association with Ballybunion’s Old (Golf) Course and its tee-off time confirmations for guests, The Tides Guesthouse gives extra attention to detail. Owners David and Doreen Walsh go the extra mile to suggest activities and arrange events for patrons.
Upon receiving this award the hotel manager, David said “It is a great honour to be recognised by travellers as the best Bed and Breakfast in Ireland. Ballybunion is a unique destination, popular for families and golfing along the Wild Atlantic Way. At Five Star Family run Bed and Breakfast The Tides, we strive to make our guests feel at home and enjoy every aspect of their stay.”
Here’s a look at all the top-10 picks for the trivago Awards 2017 in the category of Alternative Accommodations in Ireland:
| Rank | Hotel Name | Location |
| 1 | The Tides Guesthouse | Ballybunion |
| 2 | Avlon House | Carlow |
| 3 | Greenmount House | Dingle |
| 4 | Camp Junction House B&B | Tralee |
| 5 | Heatons Guesthouse | Dingle |
| 6 | Algret House | Killarney |
| 7 | Oranhill Lodge | Oranmore |
| 8 | The Courtyard | Bunratty |
| 9 | Sea Breeze Lodge | Galway |
| 10 | Brook Manor Lodge | Tralee |
Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s trivago Awards! It was a lot of hard work and dedication, but it paid off in the end. You delivered exceptional experiences, and your guests took notice.
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How were hotels selected for the trivago Awards 2017?
The same way we aggregate prices from all over the web: We collect the hotel reviews and ratings left by travellers on different booking and valuation sites and combine them into scores, making it easy for the traveller to compare them across varied aspects. These scores are all available on our website; we’ve simply compiled them per their ranking, and the hotel with the highest score is at the top of the list and the award winner.
All hotels that display prices on trivago can be considered for the Awards. To ensure that all ranked hotels achieved a high level of performance consistently throughout the past year, a minimum number of 20 reviews was a requisite for eligibility in the score ranking.
The result: A comprehensive list of the cream of the crop in Irish hospitality, and prestige and recognition for the hardworking hoteliers behind the winning hotels.
