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#13 of 87 hotels in Doolin
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2023 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best
Ballinalacken Castle Hotel Doolin is a 4 star hotel and one of the leading Castle Hotels in Ireland with views of the Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands. This Clare Hotel has an award winning restaurant and is the best place to eat in Doolin. It would be difficult to find a more beautiful place on the West Coast of Ireland in which to wake up. The Ballinalacken Castle Hotel has been described in the press as one of the finest located houses in Europe. Our guest rooms offer spectacular panoramic views of the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay. A 15th Century Castle ruin of the O'Brien Clan stands imposingly beside the Ballinalacken Hotel.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Hiking
Horseback riding
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Laundry service
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Picnic area
Shared lounge / TV area
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Room features
Soundproof rooms
Room service
Seating area
Telephone
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Extra long beds
Bath / shower
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, French
Hotel links
Location
Coast Road R-477, Doolin R477 Ireland
E-mail hotel
Getting there
Car HireSee all Doolin car hire
809Reviews5Q+A100Room tips
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Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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+1
Our stay at Ballinalacken Castel Hotel was wonderful. It is the type of experience you want when visiting the southwest coast of Ireland. We woke up in our cozy room to views of the sea and the lovely green landscape you dream of. This hotel has been in the same family since 1938. You will feel welcomed and cared for by them. Both dinner and breakfast were very good and they have a great wine selection too. One of our favorite parts of the hotel is the bar. Bartender, Daniel, makes great cocktails, but you can get a well poured Guinness too. Don’t forget to ask for a tour of the Castle. Declan knows the history and so many details of how and why it was built. It is one of just two of such castles left in the area. We loved it! You are just minutes away from Doolin where you can take the ferry to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. We will certainly recommend Ballinalacken to our friends. Thanks for a wonderful stay!…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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Room Tip: We had our adult son traveling with us. We were able to get a room with one king sized bed and...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Hotel's Favourite
Start your stay with a private castle tour! Proprietor is friendly. Rooms decorated with antique-looking furniture, everything very clean. Large fluffy towels, good amount of counter space, good water pressure. Comfy bed. Dining room for dinner and breakfast was lovely, with great views depending on your seat. Dinner started with herb bread, brown bread and an amuse bouche. Good scallops and okay house salad. Decent salmon with spinach. Mains come with decent side vegetables (yummy parmesan potatoes, boiled cauliflower and broccoli, sweet and mashed potatoes, cabbage). Pistachio cheesecake didn't have much flavor. Breakfast had good hot and decent cold options.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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This place is unbelievable. The views are stunning and with a private Castle on site, a must visit if you are going to visit the Doolin area and to see the Cliffs of Moher (20 minutes away) The dining room and staff were wonderful and food was excellent. My wife and I were in the UK for 12 days and this by far and away was our favorite part of the trip!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This was our first stop in the Ireland countryside and we were so impressed with our experience. The historical, family-owned and operated property was fantastic. We were fortunate to have a room in the original house - beautifully decorated, wonderful views, and very comfortable. The meals were delicious and we enjoyed meeting other guests in the dining room. The owner took a few of us on a private tour of the castle ruins - which was an unexpected treat! When visiting Ireland's west coast and going to the Cliffs of Moher, THIS is the place to stay!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Warm,charming, historical resort with a kind and helpful staff . The accommodations and food were great . Special thanks to Oliver who took such great care of us and was also kind enough to take several photos of my wife and I. Good location for checking out other sites such as the caves just down the road.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We stayed for 4 days in this rural castle hotel enjoying the relaxing atmosphere in a beautiful setting. The owners and staff were exceptionally accommodating, friendly and very helpful in addressing all our questions and needs. They were efficient and knowledgeable, always nearby to help us in any way. The food was plentiful and delicious, especially the Breakfast buffet and menu. Our rooms were fantastic and the beds were the most comfortable we slept in in a long time! Lastly, we were able to use this place as a great home base for all the daily excursions we carried out on the west coast of Ireland. We can’t wait to stay there again!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Our first stop in Ireland was the Ballinalacken Castle Country House in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland. Our plan was to drive and stay in one location for 3-4 days and make daily forays sightseeing in and around County Clare. Ballinalacken Castle Country House was a perfect location and upscale Country House for us. The House was grande, immaculate modern rooms, delicious food cooked by chefs, a comfortable parlor to sit and read or chat, a small tavern for after dinner drinks and more and beautiful views with an ancient castle on the property in which we received a guided tour by Declan. The proprietors, Cecilia and Declan were perfect hosts. They assisted us in deciding where we would tour in the area, The impressive Cliffs of Moher, the town of Doolin with shops and restaurants, Doolin Cave, the ferry to visit the Aran Islands and more. We stayed four lovely nights at the Ballinalacken Castle Country House. We started every day with a hearty breakfast and we were ready to tour Ireland. We look forward to staying there on future trips to Ireland.…
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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+1
This place and these people are amazing! The tour of the castle at sunset was more than spectacular! Dinner was fantastic also at sunset! Incredible sky incredible service for breakfast and dinner! Great choice’s wonderful foods and beverages too! Well worth the value! Only a few miles to the cliffs and Doolin people so friendly. Great shops near Doolin with good value on goods. This place put the cherry on the cake and made our trip so special! I can’t wait to go back someday!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Plenty of parking and bring your cameras!
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We drove three hours from Dublin and arrived at Ballinalacken Castle Country House where we stayed for four glorious nights. The owners, Cecilia and Declan are terrific hosts. The rooms are immaculate, the meals most delicious, the staff so attentive and the location is really perfect. We enjoyed their Pub each night and were grateful to be able to drink and not have to drive. It’s a 10 minute drive to Doolin, where you can shop, have a drink at a Pub or two, or eat a meal. Also, from Doolin we caught the ferry to the Aran Island of Inis Mor where we took at wonderful Pony and Trap tour given by John Dirrane, ask Cecilia for his contact info. He did an outstanding job sharing his knowledge of his island home. The Cliffs of Moher are only 20 minutes away and that is a break-taking experience. We visited a Sheepdog demonstration which was delightful in the Burren area. You could spend a week at Ballinalacken, make it your home base and take day trips to so many interesting places. Location, location, location! Ballinalacken is a wonderful place to stay! Oh, Declan gives a very interesting tour of the Castle, don’t miss that! Also, don’t miss the chance to eat dinner there, The Chef is outstanding!…
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
I would give them 10 stars if I could. Declan and Cicilia were the most gracious hosts and their staff were top notch. The rooms were spacious, clean and we had a lovely view of the castle. The beds were a welcome relief after our 10 hour flight. Every morning we had a deliscious breakfast.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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ALSO KNOWN AS
ballinalacken castle country house hotel doolin, ballinalacken castle country hotel, ballinalacken castle country doolin
LOCATION
IrelandProvince of MunsterCounty ClareThe BurrenDoolin
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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Claim Your ListingBALLINALACKEN CASTLE COUNTRY HOUSE - UPDATED 2023 Hotel Reviews & Price Comparison (Doolin, Ireland) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Ballinalacken Castle Country House
Which popular attractions are close to Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Nearby attractions include Clare Coastal Walk Project (4.3 km), Doolin Music House (3.6 km), and Doolin Cave (4.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Top room amenities include a flat screen TV, extra long beds, and a seating area.
What food & drink options are available at Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Conveniently located restaurants include Oar Restaurant, The Ivy Cottage, and McDermott's Pub.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and French.
Are there any historical sites close to Ballinalacken Castle Country House?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations (13.4 km), Poulnabrone Dolmen (13.2 km), and O'Brien's Tower (10.2 km).
Does Ballinalacken Castle Country House have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbour view available here.