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Accommodation
Donegal is full of amazing ocean views, beaches and different attractions.
This destination is ideal for hikers, surfers and even campers.
With all these exciting things to do, travellers come looking for the ideal accommodation.
No matter your budget or style, you can get a hotel, resort or hotel that suits your needs.
Donegal accommodation options are varied enough to cater to solo travellers, couples and families alike.
To start you off, I’ve put together this great list of my top 10 picks to help you decide on where to stay in Donegal. Let’s dive in!
Booking.com has millions of listings for hotels, resorts and other accommodations all around the world. With such numbers, this site is probably the best for discovering places to stay when travelling.
We’ve used them all over the world and love how you can install their mobile app on your phone in order to have easier access and make your bookings on the go.
We love the fact that Booking.com has the most affordable prices. And you can even get discounts through their Genius loyalty program.
Being a Genius member is simple. You only need to open an account and complete at least two bookings in two years. After this, you get access to up to 10% discounts on certain accommodations and perks like free welcome drinks, early check-ins and late check-outs.
Agoda also has some highly appealing offers, especially their flash deals on properties they think suit you best. They also have a feature called AgodaCash which gives you cashback on certain properties you book.
This credit can then be put towards future bookings meaning that, in a way, a booking with Agoda can often come in much cheaper than Booking.com.
To find the best deal on your favourite property, I recommend quickly checking both Agoda and Booking.com. To help make this easier, I’ve provided links to both sites for all properties below … you’re welcome!
Best luxury hotel in Donegal
Best mid-range Donegal hotel
Best budget accommodation in Donegal
Best luxury hotel in Donegal
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5-star hotels in Donegal are indeed grand and luxurious. Lough Eske Castle is one such hotel. If you’re looking for celebrity treatment, this is the place to stay. Situated at the foot of the mountains on a 43-acre forest, the magnificence of this castle is undeniable. The surrounding greenery creates such a serene environment that makes you feel relaxed.
The staff here are very helpful and treat the guests like royalty. The rooms, on the other hand, are huge and include all 5-star amenities. There’s a flat-screen TV, a large private bathrooms with bathrobes and slippers. From the rooms, you get a beautiful view of the surrounding garden.
The luxurious accommodation here is accompanied by amazing food. 3 restaurants on site serve delicious meals ranging from local cuisine to Irish delights and International to European cuisines. Breakfast is served daily to all guests either in their rooms or in the dining area.
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Harvey’s Point is a luxurious hotel featuring huge rooms furnished with a TV, seating area and a private bathroom. The location makes it all the more elegant. It is situated in the middle of the Bluestack Mountains facing Lough Eske. Among the 4-star hotels in Donegal, many would agree that Harvey’s point is one of the best.
You can access free WiFi on this property. Delicious breakfast is served at the restaurant or you can order for yours in the room. There are several options to choose from: continental, Irish, vegetarian, gluten-free or buffet. You can enjoy other gourmet meals at the hotel’s restaurant which offers elegant dining.
When staying at Harvey’s Point there are many activities to indulge in. You can go fishing at the lake, horseback riding, hiking or organize for a walking tour. At the end of the day, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the hotel with live music/ performance and other evening entertainment.
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Shandon Hotel & Spa offers luxurious accommodation in Dunfanaghy which lies on Donegal’s North West coast. Being among the top hotels in Donegal, it features huge, airy rooms with a TV, tea/coffee facilities and a private bathroom. The rooms also have a scenic view of the Sheephaven Bay and the countryside.
The hotel and the spa are on separate buildings on this property. There’s a swimming pool, spa bath, steam room and sauna at the amazing spa. You can book yourself a relaxing spa treatment during your stay here.
If you’re more of the outdoorsy type there are also some fun activities for you. Take a hike up the hills or go cycling and touring the countryside. You can also go for horseback riding or fishing. Later on, take an evening stroll on the Sheephaven Bay beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
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Mill Park Hotel is one of the luxury hotels in Donegal. This 4-star hotel offers free WiFi, has free private parking and is located on beautifully manicured gardens. The look of the property is amazing right from the outside.
Inside, the rooms here are also stunning. They are spacious, include a flat-screen TV, telephone and a private bathroom. The bathrooms are equipped with hair dryers and other amenities for your convenience. You can have a view of the beautiful gardens from some of the rooms.
Dining at the Mill Park Hotel is excellent. There are fine cuisines to choose from at The Granary Restaurant. You can also get drinks and pizzas at The Cafe Bar. And being just a few minutes walk from town, guests can also have their dinner in the different restaurants within Donegal town.
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Best mid-range Donegal hotel
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Located right in the centre of town, this hotel is one of the best places to stay in Donegal. You can easily access a variety of nice restaurants and pubs in town. There is free WiFi available and the hotel has organized for discounted parking rates next to the hotel so no need to worry about where to park.
The rooms in this property are nice and comfortable. Each has a TV, facilities for making tea/coffee, and a private bathroom. There’s a shower, bathtub and hairdryer in the private bathrooms. Dry cleaning and laundry services are also available at an additional charge.
Dillon’s is one of the best hotels in Donegal for experiencing an Irish nightlife thanks to the lively Dillon’s Bar. Each weekend there’s some nice evening entertainment here with Irish Whiskey and other drinks. You also get an opportunity to mingle with the locals and other fellow travellers.
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Are you a hiker? Are you looking for boutique hotels in County Donegal? Then Slieve League B&B will probably be one of your favourite hotels. This B&B is in the perfect location next to the Slieve League Cliffs. Guests can hike or drive up the cliff and enjoy the beautiful view from the top or even watch the sunset.
Slieve League House B&B offers free WiFi and free private parking for all guests. The rooms here are comfortable. Each has a private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer and free toiletries provided. In each room, there’s a TV, a seating area and tea/coffee-making facilities.
The hotel offers a delicious breakfast every morning. You can use the shared kitchen to prepare other meals for yourself. When not busy with outdoor activities, guests can relax in the shared lounge area with an open turf fire and watch cable TV.
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The Harbour Inn is ideal for couples, solo travellers and families alike. The accommodation offered here can cater to the needs of every kind of guest at pocket-friendly prices. Rooms are spacious and clean. There’s a TV, tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryer in each room. Each room also has its own private bathroom.
Right across the road from the Harbour Inn are the sandy beaches of Lough Swilly. You can take a relaxing walk on this beautiful beach. There are other activities guests can enjoy while staying at the Inn. For example, hiking, horseback riding and cycling. Guests can also tour Buncrana town and discover the various restaurants, shops and bars around.
Delicious meals are served at the Harbour Bar. Most are prepared using local produce. Free WiFi is available in public areas of the hotel. And on Saturday nights, there’s live music and entertainment at the bar.
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Best budget accommodation in Donegal
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The Rusty Mackerel provides cheap accommodation in Donegal. It’s situated on a strategic location where there’s a mix of locals and travellers. The pub here is lively. There’s traditional live Irish music/ performance and dancing in the evenings.
Free WiFi is provided and free public parking. Guests can enjoy the bars and restaurants and have their meals here. Menu options include Irish, European, seafood and local delights. In the morning, the lodge provides a continental breakfast.
This lodge offers nice rooms in Donegal at a bargain price. Though small, they are comfy and very clean. Each room includes a private bathroom fitted with a shower and hairdryer. There is a terrace and outdoor furniture where guests can just sit and relax during the day.
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Aras Ghleann Cholm Cille is a beautiful Donegal guest house located just a few minutes from Slieve League Cliffs. This guest house offers great sea views from most of the rooms. The rooms are comfy and clean and some have their own private bathrooms. Each has a TV and free tea and coffee.
The hosts will make you feel right at home here. They are friendly and always willing to assist and give advice and suggestions for where to tour and go sightseeing. There are 2 spacious self-catering kitchens where guests can prepare their own meals.
Free WiFi is offered at the property and a free 24-hour shuttle to the bus station. Parking is also free here. For activities, guests can hike the Slieve League Cliffs or take one of the other many scenic hill walks in the area.
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Even with a tight budget, you can always find comfortable accommodation. TurfNsurf Lodge is one of the nicest Donegal budget hotels you can stay at. It’s especially ideal for surfers since it’s located in Bundoran, a world-renowned surfing area. And if you don’t know how to surf, then staying at this hostel is still ideal since they have a surf school on site where you can get lessons.
The property features both private rooms and dorms for males and females. Most of the rooms have a sea view which is great. Free WiFi is available and free private parking for guests. Every morning the hostel serves a simple but delicious continental breakfast. Free tea and coffee are available all day and there’s a shared kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals.
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Donegal is one of the most scenic places in Ireland. You can’t lack sightseeing opportunities here. Let’s begin with …
For a more in-depth guide on what to get up to in Donegal, check out our other post on the best things to do in Donegal.
So have you been to Donegal before? Where did you stay and which places did you visit? If you haven’t been there yet, we sure hope that our guide has fueled your appetite to visit this amazing destination. And hopefully, you’ll pick some ideas here on some of the best accommodations in Donegal to suit your budget and lifestyle.
