Irish hotels and guesthouses are classified under the
star classification. Devised by Bord Failte-Irish
Tourist Board and the Irish Hotels Federation, the
classification system makes it easier for visitors to
evaluate and choose the hotel and guesthouse of their
choice. Each hotel and guesthouse has a distinct
character and range of facilities. Details on the style
and services unique to each premises are listed in the
accommodation listings.
Hotel classification descriptions
The following are the hotel classification
descriptions:
Five Star
These include Ireland’s most luxurious hotels, all
of which are of high international standards. They range
from elegant, stately castles to prestigious country
clubs and top class city hotels catering for both the
business and tourist. All guest accommodation is
luxurious and spacious suites are available. These fine
hotels boast some of the country’s best restaurants
and offer table d’hôte and/or a la carte lunch and
dinner menus. Exceptional service and a personalised
welcome are the norm in these hotels.
Four Star
These include contemporary hotels of excellent
quality and charming period houses renovated to a very
high standards complete with all modern comforts. All
guest accommodation is of high standard and half suites
are usually available. Restaurant facilities provide
excellent cuisine and service for the discerning diner.
Table d’hôte and/or a la carte lunch and dinner menus
are available.
Three Star
These range from small, family-operated premises to
larger, modern hotels. Guest rooms are well decorated
with the emphasis on comfort and all have private
bathrooms with a bath and/or shower.
Restaurants offer high standards of cuisine in
relaxed and hospitable surroundings. Table d’hôte
and/or a la carte dinner menus are available. These
hotels offer a range of services making them ideal for
the cost-conscious traveler seeking comfort.
Two Star
These are more likely to be family-operated premises,
selected for their charm and their comfortable
facilities. All guest rooms have a telephone and most
have a private bathroom with a bath and/or shower. Full
dining facilities are available, representing excellent
value and good wholesome food.
One Star
Here you can enjoy the comforts of a pleasantly
simple hotel where a warm welcome prevails. These
premises offer all the mandatory services and facilities
to a satisfactory standard, necessary for a most
enjoyable and relaxed visit. Some great rooms have a
private bathroom with a bath and/or shower.
Unclassified Hotels
Hotels and guesthouses may be unclassified with the
symbols U, N, R for the following reasons:
- U. Under the terms of the classification
scheme a premises may opt to remain unclassified and
will be shown U in guides. These premises will, of
course, meet all the mandatory requirements for
hotel/guesthouse registration.
- N. These are premises which have recently
registered with Bord Failte. However, they have not
been long enough in operation for their standards to
be fully accessed.
- R. These premises were undergoing major
refurbishment at the time. Their classification will
be assessed when the work is completed.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses vary from five-bedroomed family houses,
Georgian and Victorian residences to larger
professionally-serviced modern premises. The informal
atmosphere and personal attention are of features of
this category. The availability of meals to
non-residents is not a requirement; however, some
provide this service. All guesthouses comply with
statutory regulations which cover physical requirements
and the level of service provided. Restaurant facilities
are available in some guesthouses.
Guesthouse classification descriptions
Four Star
This is the top classification for guesthouses in
Ireland. Guest accommodation includes half suites and
all guest rooms have private bathrooms with bath and/or
shower, direct dial telephone, and colour TV and radio
controllable from the bed. Room service offers full
breakfast. Facilities include car parking, safety
deposit boxes, fax, newspapers, and baby-sitting
service.
Three Star
All guest rooms have private bathroom with bath
and/or shower, and direct dial telephone. Room service
offers breakfast. Facilities include a TV lounge;
travelers cheques and at least two major credit cards
are accepted.
Two Star
Half or more of the guest rooms have private bathroom
with bath and/or shower. Facilities include a
reading/writing room or lounge area for resident’s
use.
One Star
These premises meet all the mandatory requirements
for guesthouses and offer simple accommodation,
facilities and services to a satisfactory standard.
Unclassified
Guesthouses may be unclassified in the same manner as
hotels.
Farmhouses
The premises in this category include old-style,
period type, and modern farmhouses; the type of farming
varies- mixed, tillage, dairy, sheep and poultry- all of
interest to visitors, particularly if they come from the
city. Evening meals are provided in some houses if
notice is given before 12.00 noon each day. A new
concept called Green Tourism, i.e. a holiday experience
on a working farm, is also included this category of
accommodation.
Town and Country Homes
This category of accommodation covers a variety of
house in urban and rural areas, ranging from the modern
bungalow of ‘semi-detached’ 2-storey house to the
large period-style residence. Their main attraction is
their homely atmosphere and the opportunity they provide
to meet people in their own homes. Some premises provide
evening meals if notice is given before 12.00 noon each
day.
Youth Hostels
An Oige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) has a chain
of 37 registered Youth Hostels situated in most of the
scenic areas of Ireland. These hostels provide simple
multi-bedded rooms with comfortable beds and facilities
for cooking one’s own meals. Members of An Oige or
other youth organisations affiliated to the
International Youth Hostel Federation may use the
hostels on production of their membership cards and
non-members may buy stamps at the hostels entitling them
to use the hostels.
The cost of membership per person resident in the
Republic of Ireland is IR7.50 for senior (over 18 years)
and IR4.00 for junior. For persons resident outside
Republic of Ireland, the cost is IR7.50.
Holiday Hostels
Holiday Hostels provide clean, simple accommodation
at a budget price, several with family rooms. They are
ideally suited to the holiday-maker seeking a real
alternative to conventional accommodation. The kitchen
and common room often provide an international setting
for socialising and meeting other hostellers from all
over the world.
Caravan and Camping Parks
Caravan and Camping parks are categorised
- four star parks offer an extensive range of
facilities and good management
- three star parks offer a good range of facilities
and good management
- two star parks offer limited facilities and good
management
- one star parks offer minimum facilities required
for registration
Those that meet the minimum requirements are
identified by a special sign and listed in the guide
which shows the facilities at each park (showers,
telephone, shop, communal lounge rooms, indoor
recreational facilities, children’s play centre, café/restaurant,
laundry room, field game facilities). Firms offering
touring caravans, motorhomes, tents and camping
equipment may be included in the listing.
There are caravan and camping parks in twenty-two of
the twenty-six counties. The majority are open from May
to the end of September. Some are open throughout the
year. For further details:
Mobile homes are hired fully equipped with crockery,
bed-covering and kitchen utensils for the specified
number of people.
Self Catering Accommodation
This category of Accommodation covers a variety of
premises in urban and rural areas, ranging from modern
bungalows, old converted houses, ‘semi-detached’
two-storey houses to group schemes of purpose-designed
units. The Irish Cottages and Holiday Homes Association
is an organisation whose members all manage a minimum of
eight purpose-designed units of self-catering holiday
accommodation.
