Accommodation and Grading Information

	Hotels Classification
	5 star hotels include the most luxurious hotels, all are of high international standards. They range from elegant, stately castles and manor houses to prestigious country clubs and top-class city hotels catering for both the business and tourist visitor. All guest accommodation is luxurious and spacious suites are available. These hotels boast some of the country's finest restaurants and offer table d'hôte and / or a la carte lunch or dinner menus. Exceptional service and a personalised welcome are the norm in these hotels.
	4 star hotels include contemporary hotels of excellent quality and charming period houses renovated to very high standards complete with all modern comforts. All guest accommodation is luxurious with suites and half suites available in most cases. Restaurant facilities provide excellent cuisine and service for the discerning diner. Table d'hôte and / or a la carte lunch or dinner menus are available.
	3 star hotels range from small, family-operated premises to larger; modern hotels. Guest rooms are well decorated and furnished with the emphasis on comfort and all have a private bathroom with a bath and / or shower.
	2 star hotels are more likely to be family-operated premises, with comfortable facilities. All guest rooms have a telephone, most have private bathrooms with a bath and! or shower. Full dining facilities are available.
	Hotels and Guesthouses may be unclassified with this symbol for the following reasons: Under the terms of the new classification scheme a premises may opt to remain unclassified and will be shown thus in this directory. Of course these premises meet all mandatory requirements for hotel / guesthouse registration. They may have only recently registered with Bord Failte - Irish Tourist Board - but, at this time have not been long enough in operation for their standards to be fully assessed. These premises were undergoing major refurbishment at this time. Their classification will be assessed when the work is completed. The premises have chosen not to indicate their standard to this directory.
Note:	Hotel pubs and bars: The pub/ bar is a prominent feature of the Irish culture and an integral part of all hotels. In some hotels the bar may be used predominantly by guests and diners, however in most cases they are open to locals giving the pub a distinctive Irish character. Many hotels are now creating "theme pubs" recreating a particular period style and depicting a theme of special significance. Mention of such pubs, where they exist, is made in the hotel entry in this guide.
	top >
	Guesthouses
	The premises in this category range from the converted country manor type to the purpose built guesthouse. In most cases these are big houses capable of taking good numbers of guests. Meal service varies from a minimum of breakfast to those offering full restaurant facilities. A number of guesthouses are either fully licensed or have wine licences. All the premises listed are graded into 4, 3 & 2 star categories depending on the standard of services and facilities provided.
	4 star is the top classification for guesthouses in Ireland. Guest accommodation includes half suites and all guest rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower; direct dial telephone and colour TV and radio controllable from the bed. Room service offers full breakfast. Many premises provide dinner; with table d'hôte and /or a la carte menus. Guesthouse facilities include car parking safety deposit boxes, fax, newspapers and baby-sitting services.
	All 3 star guest house rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower and direct dial telephone. Room service offers plain breakfast. Guesthouse facilities include a TV lounge, travellers cheques are exchanged and at least two major credit cards are accepted. Restaurant facilities are available in some of these guesthouses.
	Half or more of the guest rooms in 2 star guest houses have private bathroom with bath and / or shower. Guesthouse facilities include a reading/writing room or lounge area for residents use. Restaurant facilities are available in some guesthouses.
	top >
	Bed and Breakfast
	Bed and breakfast accommodation is available in smaller houses and homes across the country. They have not more than six rooms and therefore need not fall under the guesthouse star accreditation system. Many are however, affiated to organisations like 'Town and Country Homes' who demand certain standards for membership. These include houses in both urban and rural areas, ranging from the modern bungalow to the larger period type residence. Their main attraction is their homely atmosphere and the opportunity they provide to meet people in their own homes. Comfortable rooms, some with bathrooms. Some premises provide evening meals if notice is given before 12 noon.
	more about bed and breakfast accommodation >
	top >
	Farmhouses
	There are literally hundreds of Farmhouse premises throughout the Country including old-style, period style and modern farmhouses. The type of farming varies, mixed tillage, dairy, sheep and poultry; all of interest to the visitor; particularly those from the city. Comfortable rooms, some with bathrooms. Evening meals are served in some houses if notice is given before 12 noon. Further information from Irish Farm Holidays Association.
	top >
	Holiday Hostels
	Privately owned, these hostels provide clean, simple accommodation at budget prices. Multi-bedded rooms and family type bedrooms are available. Some provide breakfast and evening meals. All provide a kitchen and cooking facilities. The Irish Youth Hostel Association (An Óige), has a chain of hostels and operate them for their members and members of other youth organisations affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Federation. These provide simple multi-bedded rooms with comfortable beds and facilities for cooking ones own meals.
	top >
	Self Catering
	Ideal for families and small groups, self-catering covers a variety of premises in urban and rural areas in three broad styles: as part of a scheme; individual independent house; apartment. Self-catering group schemes are usually found in the popular resort areas and are generally looked after by a site manager. They normally comprise of at least 7 houses. Some schemes offer traditional thatched houses. Individual houses can be rented in the countryside. They are normally traditional in nature and offer complete independence. Self-catering apartments are available in the main resorts and in urban areas and offer the ideal accommodation for people who want to be in the heart of the fun or in a town.
Self catering classification:	Four star provides a very high standard of fittings and comfort. Most houses have a second bathroom, or one en suite. All sleeping accommodation is provided in bedrooms. Three star premises are well equipped and provide a high standard of furniture and fittings. There are laundry facilities in each premises or close by. Grounds are landscaped. Two star premises are comfortable, with a good standard of furniture and fittings and a well-equipped kitchen.
	top >
	Caravan and Camping Parks
	Found throughout the country these parks are primarily based along the coastline and around the numerous lakes (Loughs). Each site offers comprehensive facilities for touring caravans and campers. Mobile Homes and Caravans are available for hire on some sites. Caravan and Camping Parks are graded on a one to four star system.
Caravan and Camping park classification:	Four star parks offer an extensive range of facilities and a high standard of 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 the minimum facilities required to be approved under national standards and guidelines.
	top >
	Inland cruises and Yachts
	Cruising and yachting companies on the Shannon waterways and other regions offer vessels for self-drive hire from 2-8 berths. All are fitted out to high standards. While experience in handling a boat is an advantage, it is not necessary and in all cases instruction is provided for the novice.
	top >