Travelling with a toddler is a different kind of holiday altogether — one where a pool with a shallow end, a properly stocked family room, and somewhere for little legs to burn off energy can make or break your break. So we asked MyKidsTime parents to tell us about the toddler-friendly hotels they’d actually stayed in and would happily go back to.
There’s nothing quite like a recommendation from another parent who’s been there with a buggy, a travel cot and a toddler who refuses to nap in the car. Here are the toddler-friendly hotels in Ireland that parents have recommended to us.
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If you have toddlers, one of the best perks is the freedom to travel outside school holidays — so make the most of it while you can, and take a look at our round-up below.
Our Top Toddler-Friendly Hotel Picks
Clonakilty Park Hotel
Dad Kev is a fan of the Clonakilty Park Hotel: “It has everything to keep small people entertained. Pirate ship playground, pool, kids club, kids disco & the cinema is 100m away for those rainy days. Awesome part of the world too.”
The hotel told us: “All year round, parents and guardians think of everything when they book a holiday with us — so when they arrive, it’s our turn. We provide not just the travel cot, but the mattress, sheet and blankets if you wish. We have family rooms with every combination of beds, so if siblings are used to sharing, they can, and if they’d rather have a bed each, that’s no problem either. If you need more space, we have apartments and holiday homes, with stair-gates included. All rooms have the family essentials — a fridge, kettle and TV — plus the free wifi everyone wants.”
At the Clonakilty Park Hotel you’ll also find a toddler play zone, a supervised playzone for over 4s, a crèche, a 3-screen cinema, a pirate ship playground, and a 20m pool with a separate toddler pool.
You might also enjoy reading Best Hotels for Kids Clubs in Ireland.
The Connacht Hotel, Galway
Aine stayed in The Connacht in Galway in a family suite “which was ideal as it had a little kitchen in the room.”
Family rooms at The Connacht Hotel have a double bed and a single bed, with a rollaway bed or cot available for a second child (cot sheets provided on request). They also offer rooms with two double beds, and larger rooms for 2 adults and 3 children. Their superior family rooms have a double bed and a three-sleeper bunk bed, ideal for bigger families, and interconnecting family suites are available too — all with kitchenettes handy for warming bottles for toddlers.
The Connacht Hotel Kids Club runs for children aged 3–5 and 6–13, and younger toddlers aren’t forgotten either — parents with children under 3 are welcome to visit the playroom too.
For rates and packages, book on www.theconnacht.ie or contact reservations on (091) 381200 or email reservations@theconnacht.ie.
Mount Wolseley, Carlow
Maria stayed in the houses at Mount Wolseley and found them handy “as they were self-catering but you can use all the hotel facilities.”
Guests staying in the Mount Wolseley self-catering houses can enjoy a range of facilities created for younger visitors:
- Complimentary access to the soft play room and family den, complete with TV, soft play mats, toys, colouring equipment, books, a microwave and a bottle-sterilising unit for babies.
- Complimentary access to the outdoor playground with zipwire, swings and slide.
- Use of the leisure centre with heated pool and kiddies’ pool.
- A range of games and DVDs available at Resort Reception.
- Woolie Bear Club for ages 4+ during mid-term breaks and summer holidays.
For bookings and family offers, check www.mountwolseley.ie or call +353 (0)59 9180100.
Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kerry
Lydia suggested the Kenmare Bay Hotel in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, saying it’s “fantastic for kids and puts parents completely at ease.”
A leading family-friendly hotel in Kenmare, the Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort caters for every age. They offer family, disabled, connecting and triple rooms, as well as self-catering houses and lodges. Their restaurant has a dedicated Kids’ Corner stocked with games and DVDs to keep younger guests entertained over breakfast or dinner.
Add a kids’ playroom, playground and kids’ club, and you’ll soon find the Kenmare Bay Hotel has plenty to keep little ones happy.
The Maldron Hotel, Oranmore, Galway
Tina was full of praise for The Maldron Hotel Oranmore: “It has an outdoor playground and an indoor play room as well as a leisure centre, so lots to do with our toddler.”
The Maldron Hotel Oranmore Galway has long been a firm favourite with families around Ireland, with comfortable, well-appointed family rooms. From the moment they check in, the Maldron’s littlest guests get a Crafty Kids activity pack and, during summer, an ice-cream treat too.
There’s a dedicated kiddies’ pool, outdoor playground, and the Crafty Kids Club runs during school holidays, so there’s plenty to keep little ones busy during your stay.
You might also like 10 Super Fun Things for Families to Do In Oranmore.
The Glenview, Wicklow
Kellie enjoyed The Glenview in Co. Wicklow, staying there with a toddler and a baby, and loved the swimming pool.
The award-winning Glenview Hotel is a great choice for a family getaway. As well as an 18m swimming pool and kiddies’ pool, they offer an in-house crèche called Gymbos, free for children staying at the hotel, plus seasonal kids’ clubs and camps for ages 5+.
Kids will enjoy the gardens or the Woodland Walk, with plenty of fun trails to explore while looking for deer and rabbits. The hotel also offers a babysitting service, with all staff Garda vetted.
You might also enjoy Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools.
McWilliam Park Hotel, Mayo
Fiona recommended The McWilliam Hotel in Claremorris: “It was lovely, we had a great visit with our toddler there.”
The McWilliam Park is delighted to welcome children. Free access to Bizzie Bee’s Kids Club, with scheduled morning and evening sessions, is included in all seasonal family packages. Spacious family rooms have a double bed and two single beds, with plenty of room for buggies and cots, and bottle heating and refrigeration facilities available on request.
They also offer children’s movies to rent from reception. Activities include the 18m pool with children’s play pool, a fairy garden, a children’s menu, and children’s teas served daily.
Radisson Athlone
Kellie thought the Radisson in Athlone was “a nice hotel, the room was spacious & they had a great kids’ menu.”
At check-in, The Radisson in Athlone gives kids a Global Explorers Entertainment pack full of colouring, small games and a pack of sweets. The hotel has larger family rooms with space for up to 2 adults and 4 children or 3 adults and 3 children, plus interconnecting twin rooms for older kids who’d like their own space.
Cots are available for little ones, and there’s a professional babysitting service available any night. Free high-speed wifi in family rooms is also handy for keeping kids amused.
You might also like Why We Love These Family Friendly Hotels in Ireland.
Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal
Michelle recommended the Shandon in Donegal: “Great location across the road from the beach and an excellent kids’ club.”
At the Shandon Hotel & Spa, standard and superior family rooms have two double beds, with the option of an extra camp bed for larger families. Superior adjoining rooms are also available for larger families wanting extra comfort during their break by the sea.
Families love the free wifi and use of the leisure centre with adult and kids’ pools, plus kids’ fun-time sessions in the pool during school holidays. A nice touch is the free use of on-site buckets and spades for nearby Marble Hill Beach.
Amber Springs Hotel, Wexford
Sheila was full of praise for the Amber Springs Hotel: “We stayed in the Amber Springs and found it brilliant. There was a play room, a little pet farm area, outdoor playground. Everything about the hotel was great!”
The Amber Springs Hotel is a family-orientated property, previously named ‘Ireland’s Favourite Family Friendly Stay’ in the Irish Independent Travel Awards. There’s plenty for kids to do at the hotel, including go-karts, crazy golf, treasure hunts, ball games and races, while the ground-floor indoor Playzone is ideal for children under 4.
The hotel’s family-only suites come in two styles — Amber Corner Suites and Amber Den Suites — both focused on space, comfort and quality. The Corner Suites are open-plan and bright at a generous 65 square metres, while the Den Suites are also spacious at 50 square metres and include a separate sleeping den for the kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a hotel genuinely toddler-friendly?
Look for practical basics first — travel cots, highchairs, family rooms with flexible bed layouts, and a pool with a shallow or dedicated kiddies’ area. Play areas, kids’ clubs and babysitting services are a bonus on top of that.
Do these hotels provide cots and highchairs?
Most of the hotels featured here offer cots on request, and several provide extras like bottle-warming facilities or sterilising units. It’s always worth confirming what’s included when you book, as facilities can vary by room type and season.
Are kids’ clubs and play areas included in the room rate?
This varies by hotel and by time of year — some run kids’ clubs as a free extra during school holidays, others include access as standard. Check directly with the hotel when booking to confirm what’s included in your stay.
Should I book directly with the hotel for family offers?
Many of these hotels run their own family packages and offers, so it’s worth checking their website or calling reservations directly to see what’s currently available before booking elsewhere.
Is it easier to travel with a toddler outside school holidays?
Many parents find it so — quieter hotels, more availability, and often better rates. If your toddler isn’t yet in school, it’s one of the perks worth making the most of.
More Family Travel Ideas
If this list has you planning your next trip, you might also enjoy:
- Best Hotels for Kids Clubs in Ireland
- Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools
- Why We Love These Family Friendly Hotels in Ireland
- 10 Super Fun Things for Families to Do In Oranmore
Have Your Own Recommendation?
Have you stayed in a toddler-friendly hotel in Ireland that you’d recommend to other parents? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below — real parent recommendations are what made this list in the first place.
Looking for more family days out and travel ideas? Browse our travel section for more parent-tested ideas, or save this article so it’s handy next time you’re planning a family break.
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