There is absolute no better way to experience Ireland than staying in a real castle! The Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin is the perfect home base for exploring the city, while feeling like true royalty. We loved the historic details that filled the castle at every turn. You can really tell the thought and care that went into this renovation! Here is everything you need to know about staying at the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin!
About Clontarf Castle
The Clontarf Castle was built in 1172, which when you sit and process that it really is amazing! It’s been heavily modernized and is such a crown jewel even now in the 21st century. The hotel opened to the public in 1997 and has over 110 rooms that range from standard rooms to luxury suites. Every inch of this property has been carefully designed to bring out the original character of the castle, while also making it feel like a luxury retreat for its guests. Stone statues, beautiful art, and medieval touches cover every room of this castle. The full story of the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin can be found on their website here. It really is fascinating!
Prices fluctuate throughout the year, rising in peak season (summer) and falling in the shoulder and off-seasons. In early October, we were able to snag a room for about $250 a night. Be sure to check out your credit card’s reservation tools before booking! Not only will you earn bonus points, but we saved over $50 by using this. I booked through the Citi Travel Portal using my Citi Thank You Premier card and received 10x/$. An easy 2,500 points for just one night!
Getting There & Parking
The Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin has the absolute perfect location. It is just far enough from the bustling downtown to make it feel like it’s truly an escape! It’s located in the suburban neighborhood of Clontarf (so appropriate) and is only about a 20 minute drive from the airport. We had rented a car on our trip to Ireland and arrived at Clontarf Castle from Galway, on the West Coast. Once exiting the highway, the community streets were calm and easy to navigate. Especially for this girl who was stressed AF driving on the left side of the road!
Clontarf Castle has a large parking lot, with free parking for guests. Just make a note of the make/model and license plate of your rental car as they will ask for that upon check-in. Nothing was more satisfying than putting the car in park in the lot, lol. Driving on the left side of the road was seriously a mindf*ck!
Lobby & Reception
From the second we stepped foot into the lobby, we were completely blown away! The Clontarf Castle in Dublin is seriously such a unique property. You can tell such thought went into every detail. You’ll be greeted outside with a pair of stone lions, and suits of armor once inside. And yes, I asked – they’re real! The huge stone fireplace, comfy and colorful armchairs, and royal flags fill the lobby and make you question if you’re actually back in the middle ages.
One of my favorite details though was right behind the reception desk. There is a gorgeous lit up wall with different styles of keys inside. When you look a little closer, you’ll notice that some appear to be really, really old. The receptionist told us that a few of them are actual keys from the real castle. Meaning they’re over 1,000 years old! Wild!
The Rooms
When booking, we had reserved their standard room with two beds. I was so pleasantly surprised by how beautiful even their most basic room turned out to be! The two twin beds were pushed together, but easy to maneuver and push away for a little extra breathing room (literally). If you look at the first picture, one of my favorite details was the table and booth in the back corner. The booths were made of real church pews and the pillows were covered in velvet – dreamy! Our view was just of the parking lot, but since we were only there for one night we didn’t spend a lot of time staring out the window anyway.
The bathroom was beautiful, spacious, and so clean. I loved how there were several light switches that lit up different parts of the bathroom such as the mirror, under the sink, and just the shower. You can really cultivate a cozy vibe right in your bathroom! One of the coolest touches though was the Bluetooth connection from the mirror. You could easily connect your phone and jam out while in the shower. Which is my favorite pastime.
Exploring the Castle
I know I keep saying this, but every inch of this property was truly planned out with such meticulous thought. Every room, every hallway, and every staircase has something new to explore. When checking in, we were provided an art guide that mapped out all the pieces on the property. I’m not much of an art enthusiast but I loved carrying it around with me as we wandered around and found pieces.
If you’re looking at the reception desk, make sure you turn to your left. That is the direction to the Indigo Lounge, Fahrenheit Restaurant, and The Knights Bar. But it is also home to so many hidden gems. Keep an eye out for the small room that appears to be a former dungeon. There is a table and chairs inside so you can settle in for a cocktail or just a good chat. Keep making your way towards The Knights Bar for a gorgeous staircase with two thrones that make for the ultimate royal photo shoot. Don’t miss going upstairs too and looking down over the balconies into the lobby.
The Knights Bar
One of my favorite parts of the Clontarf Castle was The Knights Bar. After a full day exploring the city of Dublin, we made our way back to the hotel to end the knight (pun intended). This space was beyond beautiful. There were huge stained glass windows that greet you upon entering, and two separate rooms (each with their own bar) so you can find the perfect space for you to hang out. We chose to go into the second room which had tall red-painted ceilings, and mahogany lining the walls.
They had a full menu that was complete with authentic Irish cuisine, but also some comfort bar staples like burgers and wings. We opted for drinks and dessert. I got my typical Bulmers Irish cider and a salted caramel brownie (complete with a scoop of vanilla ice cream). The Knights Bar is only open until 9:30 or 10:00 pm (depending on the day), which I preferred because it forced us to get a good night’s sleep- which we desperately needed!
Getting to Downtown Dublin
Getting downtown from the Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin couldn’t be easier. Just steps from the property is the stop for public bus #130. This stop is the very first stop on the line, so you will often find a bus waiting for you (but if not, it’s no more than a few minutes away). The fare each way is €2,60 paid in exact change directly to the driver when you board. However, if you need change, the reception desk at the hotel is happy to provide it for you before you head out.
The ride downtown is a little lengthy as it circles through some neighborhoods and takes “the long way” around and into the city, but it is a beautifully scenic ride. I loved looking out the window and seeing the houses and families just living their lives. The bus then circles around on Clontarf Road, which hugs the coast, so you can get water and city views all at once.
You’ll ride the bus all the way to the end of the line, which terminates here on Talbot Street. Follow The Spire over to O’Connell Street (the long skinny needle, you can’t miss it). From there, you’ll then cross the O’Connell Bridge to get to the heart of the city. When you’re ready to get back to the hotel, you’ll catch the bus at the same spot on Talbot Street (again, the end of the line so there is usually a bus waiting) to make your journey back. Busses stop running at 11:30 pm so plan your night on the town accordingly!
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments