I know I can’t be the only person who thinks of castles and history when Ireland comes to mind. In the city of Dublin there is said to only be one such castle hotel and that is Clontarf Castle Hotel. It is from the 12th century and when I got there I was excited about staying in a castle regardless of it being modernized. It is so beautiful and the staff were really great!
Location
As I stated before the Clontarf Castle Hotel dates back to the 12 century. Looking at the hotel the old and the new collide beautifully. Clontarf is 10 minutes from the Dublin city center. Public transportation is available, but taxis are very accessible and affordable. The Dublin airport is 5 miles away. The sea is not too far away and right near what they called the coast. You can walk along the water and enjoy on a nice day.
Clontarf Castle Hotel

The Clontarf Castle Hotel is a luxury hotel. The current building standing dates back to 1837. With the hotel expanding many modern wings were added. It really is beautiful and once we pulled up to the castle an exciting feeling came about. Upon walking in there were two suits of armor and beautiful decor all around. There was also a television screen with information as well.

There were a lot of people in the lobby area trying to check in. No rooms were yet available, but the gentleman at the front desk happily took everyone’s luggage so that guests could do what they wanted in the meantime. We decided to visit their Fahrenheit Restaurant while we waited for our room. Although much of the food was gone because the buffet was almost over, we were able to get some food and enjoy the very cool atmosphere.

Once we were done eating, we began to roam around the lobby and outside area a bit. The gentleman and the front desk surprised and delighted us by letting us know our room was ready earlier than we expected. He also gave us a box of chocolate, which were delicious.
Rooms

The hotel has a few different types of rooms and suites. We had a deluxe room with double beds. When I tell you I could have just stayed in the room for a couple of days and never left the castle, I really could have. The room was very inviting and modern. The colors were great and the bed was extremely comfortable.

The 55 inch flat screen television had plenty on it to watch while awake at random hours or when winding down for a moment. The room also had a table with a couple of comfy chairs, tea and coffee maker with everything needed, and a mini bar. There was also a couple of bottles of complimentary water. The shower was a great size and had two shower heads. I also liked how the outlets also included USB ports.

Shower ©2017 HollyDayz 
Cool phone and USB ports ©2017 HollyDayz
Hotel Amenities
Complimentary wi-fi throughout the entire hotel. Works well. I never had an issue with it. There are also many different dining options. Fahrenheit Restaurant is where we dined for lunch and dinner. Reservations for dinner are suggested or you will have to wait till they have an opening. The Knights Bar (which was packed to the brim with nowhere to sit when I went) is a great place to get a pint of Guinness and bar food.

There is also a lounge that can be booked for private events. If I had the time to try, I would have loved to do afternoon tea in the atrium, by the beautiful fireplace. There is a very nice concierge area to help with any tours or places you may want to go.

Atrium/fireplace area ©2017 HollyDayz 
Concierge Area ©2017 HollyDayz
Although not that big there is a fitness room on the premises. It was very clean and looked nice. Weddings are great to have heard as well. They have many different options including civil. There are many different spaces as well for business meetings and events. The hotel has also received the Green Hospitality Award Eco-Label.

The Clontarf Castle Hotel was such a great place to stay. I didn’t want to leave and wish I could have stayed longer. It is a place I would definitely go back to, should I find myself in Dublin again.

Have you ever been to Clontarf Castle Hotel?









62 Comments
alifeofauthenticity
March 10, 2017 at 4:08 PMI Love the throne pic!! A trip to Ireland is on the bucket list, however I don’t think so much about the castles, just the Irish pubs, and I don’t drink hard liquor. LOL Thanks for the review.
Holly Dayz
March 19, 2017 at 10:29 PMThank you. I am sure a bunch of people think about drinking, but there is much more to the city then that.
Joanna
March 10, 2017 at 5:39 PMThe castle looks absolutely magical and such a cool place to stay. Definitely need to add that to my bucket list
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:18 AMIt was so nice. I really enjoyed it.
Bec
March 10, 2017 at 9:23 PMThis is beautiful, heading to Ireland in 5 days. Being St Patricks weekend and on a tight budget won’t be able to stay here but if I get back to Dublin, I’ll have to remember this one 🙂
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:18 AMI hope you had a great time!
Sally
March 10, 2017 at 11:07 PMThis castle looks incredible! It would be an experience to stay there for the night 🙂
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:19 AMIt was really nice! I loved it.
beautythatwalks
March 11, 2017 at 11:02 AMI have never been to a castle before but I would love to spend my time in one for a dinner date, lunch, wedding ceremony etc.
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:21 AMThat would be some great times to spend in a castle.
Keisha Adinkra
March 11, 2017 at 12:19 PMLooks wonderful! I hadn’t thought of Ireland as one of my travel destinations but after reading this I will add it to my list. Thanks for sharing. The Throne suits you 😉
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:22 AMIreland is really nice. I would go back to explore even more of the country side. And thank you!
Christina
March 11, 2017 at 9:01 PMWhat a fabulous castle to spend some time in. You’d definitely feel like a Queen. I love the chair with the high twisted back in the concierge area.
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:22 AMThey have some great decor at the castle. I liked it a lot.
gokulr27
March 12, 2017 at 6:24 AMThat must have felt royal….nice theme for a hotel.
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:23 AMYea, especially since it was already a castle.
Foodie Flashpacker
March 12, 2017 at 6:54 AMI’m going to Ireland in October so I’ll have to keep this place in mind! It looks so cool. I’ve never slept in a castle before!
Holly Dayz
April 3, 2017 at 11:24 AMNice, I hope you get the chance to stay here.
Noel Morata
March 12, 2017 at 12:50 PMI love the combination of old and new, such a fascinating place to visit and stay at the same time.
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:35 PMYes! I really enjoyed it.
❤ TheMrsTee ❤ (@themrstee)
March 12, 2017 at 5:09 PMCastle Clontarf is officially added to my list of places I need to visit. I have always day dreamed about staying in a castle and this could make that dream come true. So cool!
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:36 PMI really hope you make it there. It is such a nice place. Great place to make a dream come true.
Claudia Laroye
March 12, 2017 at 5:19 PMWhat an excellent luxury property. Love the Queen’s chair! The Clontarf Castle Hotel would make for a perfect stay in Dublin. I’ll have to keep it in mind for a future visit.
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:37 PMGreat place to stay. I would happily go back.
Rebecca (@AwayFromOffice)
March 12, 2017 at 11:10 PMBeautiful. Had no idea there was a castle hotel so close to Dublin city center. I’ve stayed in some castles in Scotland and they’re absolutely magical.
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:37 PMI would love to stay in one in Scotland.
Lara Dunning
March 12, 2017 at 11:51 PMI haven’t been there, but I will be in Ireland for the second time this fall. We are putting together things we want to do that we didn’t do last time so this might end up on the list. Thanks for sharing!
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:38 PMAwesome, hopefully you can stay there. It is so nice.
Queen Thrifty
March 13, 2017 at 12:51 AMWow the castle hotel is beautiful looking in staying at the same location later this summer
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:39 PMOh nice! You will enjoy it.
Vicki Garside
March 13, 2017 at 3:58 AMI love that they have kept some of the original features, whilst modernizing other areas. It looks like a beautiful place to stay with great facilities.
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:41 PMI liked that as well. It was so beautiful.
Mimi Green
March 13, 2017 at 7:42 AMThe castle hotel decor is stunning. I love the colors and the exaggerated furniture. The wallpaper in the room is vibrant and one. I’ve got to stay at a castle at least once.
Holly Dayz
April 11, 2017 at 10:43 PMI thought it was so pretty. Yes you do..at least once.
Mimi Green
March 13, 2017 at 7:43 AMThe castle hotel decor is stunning. I love the colors and the exaggerated furniture. The wallpaper in the room is vibrant and one. I’ve got to stay at a castle at least once.
Holly Dayz
April 16, 2017 at 10:56 PMI really loved it. I thought it was so pretty.
Traveling Bytes
March 13, 2017 at 9:05 AMFrom your photos, I got exactly the same impression that you described in the beginning: the collision of the old and the new. I wonder if castles could feel what would they think about an elliptical bike or a phone?
Holly Dayz
April 16, 2017 at 10:57 PMlol that would be very interesting. It would be even more interesting to wonder what it would be like to take those things back into time.
Jo
March 13, 2017 at 9:46 AMOMG this looks so cool! I’d LOVE to stay in a castle.
Holly Dayz
April 16, 2017 at 10:57 PMIt was. I really enjoyed my stay.
Carlana Charles
March 13, 2017 at 12:39 PMLooks like a lovely place to visit, seems like you enjoyed the trip, hope you made lots of memories.
Holly Dayz
April 16, 2017 at 10:59 PMIt was a nice trip.
travelwith2ofus
March 13, 2017 at 2:54 PMReally looks luxurious. I have never been inside a castle far less stayed in one. I like the decor especially the modern theme. The free working wi-fi and the USB ports are definitely a plus.
Holly Dayz
April 16, 2017 at 11:06 PMThe ports were awesome. Helped with charging things and didn’t even need an adapter.
Cynthia
March 13, 2017 at 7:10 PMLooks like I need to get my passport ready. Dublin sounds like a delightful place to visit. Your post truly captures the food and fare of your experience.
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:02 PMThank you! Yes, get the passport and head on over to Dublin.
funtravelog
March 13, 2017 at 8:53 PMNever visited Dublin, but will surely keep this hotel in mind whenever we do. It sure looks super appealing.
Supriya
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:02 PMIt is really nice. We enjoyed our stay!
Sara Broers (@TravelWithSara)
March 14, 2017 at 12:15 AMHow fun! A castle with all of the 21st Century amenities, one can’t go wrong with that, right? It’s good to know you had reliable wi-fi. Business travelers and the casual traveler all want that. And then there’s the food- dang, that looks kind of good!
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:03 PMYes, perfect lol. Agreed, can’t go wrong. The wi-fi was really good. The food was too!
LaShon Renee
March 14, 2017 at 12:39 PMWhat a cool place to stay! I wish we had castles in the US because I’d definitely be there.
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:05 PMIt was really nice. There are some, especially ones considered castles.
Arlett (Chasing Joy)
March 14, 2017 at 5:26 PMI need a throne in my life. LOL I’d love to visit a castle. The Clontarf looks great.
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:44 PMIt would suit you I am sure!
Anita Hendrieka
March 15, 2017 at 5:32 AMWhere can I buy one of those chairs?! This place looks great. I will definitely add it to the list next time I am in Dublin!
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:45 PMHaha I am not sure. It is a really nice hotel, hope you get there next time you are in Dublin.
The Tales of a Traveler
March 16, 2017 at 3:36 AMStaying in a castle has always been the dream. Now that we are in Dublin, maybe we can give this a shot. Staying at such old properties gives me goosebumps. I remember how excited I was when I was in Edinburgh as I was staying near the South Bridge that happens to be centuries old. Love the pic of the atrium.
Holly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:46 PMI hope you get to fulfill that dream. Edinburgh is a place on my list to visit, hoping to get there soon.
Chetan Jadhav
April 5, 2017 at 7:18 AMOops! I missed this lovely hotel to visit.
Quite luxurious and seems very pleasant. Bad luck but yeah will plan sure on my next visit.
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May 28, 2017 at 4:31 PMHolly Dayz
June 25, 2017 at 12:59 PMIf you ever get back hopefully you get the chance to head over there and stay.
Abu Dahbi Tour Places
September 19, 2018 at 7:48 AMnice this castle hotel is beautiful looking in staying at the same location next summer may be