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TripAdvisor has named the top ten Irish hotels for 2018 in the traveller's choice awards. The Killarney Park Hotel, owned by Padraig and Janet Treacy, takes the top spot.
Harvey's Point in Donegal, a winner on four occasions, takes a second seat this year. This coming Saturday will be Burns night at the hotel when poet Robert 'Rabbie' Burns will be remembered with a special dinner and address.
Ashford Castle, after taking the number one slot in more than a few awards, takes its place in third.
Hayfield Manor in Cork, owned by the Scally family, is in fourth. Just this week the family purchased St Mary’s seminary on Bloomfield Avenue in Donnybrook.
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Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee, a favourite wedding venue, is in fifth.
The Merrion in Dublin is the only representative for the city, and Castle Durrow in Co Laois is a good family-run representative for the Blue Book. Recently refurbished Dromoland Castle takes eighth place.
Local hotel Villa Rose of Ballybofey, Donegal is ninth, with Absolute Hotel in Limerick taking tenth place.
Top ten Irish hotels
- The Killarney Park Hotel
- Harvey's Point
- Hayfield Manor
- Ashford Castle
- Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee
- The Merrion, Dublin
- Castle Durrow, Co Laois
- Dromoland Castle, Limerick
- Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey, Donegal
- Absolute Hotel, Limerick
The ‘Hoscars’
In the Hostelworld Hoscars, traditionally awarded around the Oscars, Galway City Hostel takes the award for best small hostel in Ireland.
The YHA Hostel in Liverpool wins best hostel in England, the Castle Rock Hostel beside Edinburgh Castle wins in Scotland, and The River House wins in Wales.
The winner of best small hostel worldwide is Sungate One in Madrid, while best large hostel worldwide is Star Hostel in Taipei, Taiwan. Lub d Phuket Patong in Thailand wins best extra-large hostel.
Hostelworld is an Irish company and the awards were based on over one million reviews.
Best Hostel Ireland – Galway City Hostel
Best Hostel England – YHA Liverpool
Best Hostel Wales – The River House
Best Hostel Scotland – Castle Rock Hostel
Best Small Hostel Worldwide – Sungate Madrid, Spain
Best Large Hostel Worldwide – Star Hostel Taipei, Taiwan
Best Extra-Large Hostel Worldwide – Lub d Phuket Patong, Thailand
Best Hostel for Groups – ClinkNOORD, Amsterdam