Luxury
- Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort: Tullow, Co. Carlow. A 4-star resort set on expansive grounds with a sweeping tree-lined drive. Guests can expect elegant rooms, a luxurious spa with pampering treatments, an 18-hole golf course, and fine dining at Frederick’s Restaurant. Perfect for romantic getaways, weddings, or golf enthusiasts seeking upscale amenities in a scenic setting.
- Kilkea Castle: Kilkea, Co. Carlow. A historic 12th-century castle offering 5-star luxury with modern comforts. Visitors can anticipate spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, a full-service spa, two fine dining restaurants, and a golf course. Ideal for those seeking a romantic or historic escape with top-tier amenities like concierge services and daily receptions.
- The Lord Bagenal Inn: Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. A luxurious hotel wing attached to a traditional riverside pub, blending contemporary chic with classic charm. Guests can expect sleek, spacious rooms with Egyptian cotton bedding and natural stone bathrooms, plus an award-winning gourmet restaurant. Perfect for a stylish rural retreat or wedding venue.
- Lorum Old Rectory: Near Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. A 5-star bed and breakfast in a charming period country house at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains. Visitors can expect luxurious rooms with period decor, big breakfasts with local produce, and a peaceful setting in the Barrow River valley. Ideal for a tranquil, high-end escape with a touch of history.
Mainstream
- Talbot Hotel Carlow: Carlow Town. A 4-star family-friendly hotel just off the N80, 2 km from Carlow town center. Guests can expect spacious, modern rooms, access to Talbot Fitness with a gym and indoor pool, and dining at An Bhearú Bar & Bistro with local flavors. The Dome Entertainment Centre offers bowling and a soft play zone, making it great for families or business travellers.
- Woodford Dolmen Hotel Carlow: Kilkenny Road, Carlow. A 4-star hotel on the banks of the River Barrow, set on 10 acres with views of Killeshin Hills. Visitors can expect comfortable, modern rooms, dining at the Plum Tree Bar & Bistro, and family-friendly features like the Draoicht Glen Fairy Garden. Perfect for those seeking a blend of nature and town proximity.
- Seven Oaks Hotel: Carlow Town. A 4-star hotel a 5-minute walk from Carlow town center. Guests can anticipate welcoming, stylish rooms, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a hearty Irish breakfast. Its central location makes it ideal for exploring Carlow’s attractions like the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art or Carlow Town Park.
- Dinn Rí Hotel: Carlow Town. A boutique hotel in the heart of Carlow with modern rooms, an on-site nightclub, and a stylish sports bar with large plasma TVs. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere, an outdoor terraced bar, and proximity to Carlow Town Hall, ideal for couples or those seeking lively entertainment.
- Avlon House Bed & Breakfast: Carlow Town. A cozy B&B just 1640 feet north of Carlow town center. Guests can expect comfortable en-suite rooms, free Wi-Fi, ample parking, and a full Irish breakfast. Its quiet, mature area is perfect for those wanting a relaxed base to explore Carlow or nearby Kilkenny.
- Kilgraney House: Near Borris, Co. Carlow. A boutique, adults-only B&B in a Georgian manor near the Carlow-Kilkenny border. Visitors can expect comfortable rooms with antique furnishings, excellent evening meals, and a kitchen garden with a medicinal herb courtyard. Ideal for a charming, rural retreat with scenic walks nearby.
Budget
- Burton Hall – Pauline: Carlow Town. An adults-only homestay with a garden and shared lounge, offering free Wi-Fi and parking. Guests can expect clean, cozy rooms, a shared kitchen, and a warm welcome from host Pauline, who serves delicious breakfasts. Highly rated (4.8/5 from 208 reviews), it’s great for solo travellers or couples on a budget.
- Fenniscourt Cottage: Near Carlow Town. A charming self-catering cottage 10 miles from Leinster Hills Golf Club. Visitors can expect a beautiful, cozy setting with all essentials provided and a welcoming host, Mick. Perfect for budget travellers seeking a rural base for trips to Carlow or Kilkenny.
- Johnsville House: Carlow Town. A modern B&B converted from an old store, 200 meters from Carlow Town Hall. Guests can anticipate soundproof rooms, a variety of breakfast options (fruit, breads, cereals), and a gracious host, Anne. Ideal for budget-conscious travellers wanting proximity to city attractions.
- Ewings Bar & Self-Catering Accommodation: Carlow Town. A budget-friendly apartment above a traditional Irish pub, steps from Carlow Town Park. Guests can expect clean, basic rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a lively pub atmosphere below. Great for those seeking affordability and a central location.
- Lovely Laois Loft Apartment: Carlow, near Laois border. A recently renovated apartment with garden views, free Wi-Fi, and parking. Visitors can expect a clean, cozy space with a kitchenette, ideal for budget travellers seeking a quiet retreat. Located 11 km from the new Shackleton museum and Athy Heritage Centre, it’s a great base for exploring the region
Carlow combines historic landmarks with serene landscapes, with the Carlow Castle ruins and the nearby Altamont Gardens offering a mix of medieval and botanical appeal. The Barrow Way provides scenic riverside walks, while the Brownshill Dolmen, a prehistoric portal tomb, adds ancient history. The county’s market towns and quiet countryside make Carlow an engaging stop for culture and nature enthusiasts. Carlow is Ireland’s second smallest county by size (896 square km) and third smallest by population (61,968).
Carlow:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
Hotels by category
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Eight GREAT hotels
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
