All properties that display the above logos are approved
and registered by Failte Ireland and meet minimum standard requirements. Hotels,
Guesthouses, Caravan and Camping and Self-Catering are all classified. All
premises are subject to an annual review.
Hotels
Stately country houses, luxurious castles, intimate old-world inns and modern
premises are all included in this category. All hotels comply with statutory
registration regulations which cover physical requirements and the level of
service provided. Most hotels welcome children. Hotels carrying the Family
Friendly symbol meet the particular needs of children, providing playgrounds,
playroom, special menus, mealtimes, etc.
Hotel Classification
Irish hotels and guesthouses are classified under the star classification.
Devised by Bord Failte -Irish Tourist Board and the Irish Hotels Federation, the
classification system makes it easier for visitors to evaluate and choose the
hotel and guesthouse of their choice.
Hotel classification :
Five Star
These include Ireland's most luxurious hotels, all of which are of high
international standards. They range from elegant, stately castles to prestigious
country clubs and top class city hotels catering for both the business and
tourist. All guest accommodation is luxurious and spacious suites are available.
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Four Star
These include contemporary hotels of excellent quality and charming period
houses renovated to a very high standards complete with all modern comforts. All
guest accommodation is of high standard and half suites are usually available.
Restaurant facilities provide excellent cuisine and service for the discerning
diner. Table d'hôte and/or a la carte lunch and dinner menus are available.
Three Star
These range from small, family-operated premises to larger, modern hotels. Guest
rooms are well decorated with the emphasis on comfort and all have private
bathrooms with a bath and/or shower.
Restaurants offer high standards of cuisine in relaxed and hospitable
surroundings. Table d'hôte and/or a la carte dinner menus are available.
Two Star
These are more likely to be family-operated premises, selected for their charm
and their comfortable facilities. All guest rooms have a telephone and most have
a private bathroom with a bath and/or shower. Full dining facilities are
available, representing excellent value and good wholesome food.
One Star
Here you can enjoy the comforts of a pleasantly simple hotel where a warm
welcome prevails. These premises offer all the mandatory services and facilities
to a satisfactory standard, necessary for a most enjoyable and relaxed visit.
Some rooms have a private bathroom with a bath and/or shower.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses vary from five-bedroomed family houses, Georgian and Victorian
residences to larger professionally-serviced modern premises. The informal
atmosphere and personal attention are of features of this category. All
guesthouses comply with statutory regulations which cover physical requirements
and the level of service provided.
Four Star
This is the top classification for guesthouses in Ireland. Guest accommodation
includes half suites and all guest rooms have private bathrooms with bath and/or
shower, direct dial telephone, and colour TV and radio controllable from the
bed. Room service offers full breakfast. Facilities include car parking, safety
deposit boxes, fax, newspapers, and baby-sitting service.
Three Star
All guest rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower, and direct dial
telephone. Room service offers breakfast. Facilities include a TV lounge;
travelers cheques and at least two major credit cards are accepted.
Two Star
Half or more of the guest rooms have private bathroom with bath and/or shower.
Facilities include a reading/writing room or lounge area for resident's use.
One Star
These premises meet all the mandatory requirements for guesthouses and offer
simple accommodation, facilities and services to a satisfactory standard.
Bed & Breakfast / Country Homes
This category of accommodation covers a variety of house in urban and rural
areas, ranging from the modern bungalow of 'semi-detached' 2-storey house to the
large period-style residence. Their main attraction is their homely atmosphere
and the opportunity they provide to meet people in their own homes. Some bed &
breakfast provide evening meals.
Hostels
Holiday Hostels provide clean, simple accommodation at a budget price, several
with family rooms. They are ideally suited to the holiday-maker seeking a real
alternative to conventional accommodation. The kitchen and common room often
provide an international setting for socialising and meeting other hostellers
from all over the world.
Caravan and Camping Parks
Caravan and Camping parks are categorised
four star parks offer an extensive range of facilities and good management
three star parks offer a good range of facilities and good management
two star parks offer limited facilities and good management
one star parks offer minimum facilities required for registration
Those that meet the minimum requirements are identified by a special sign and
listed in the guide which shows the facilities at each park (showers, telephone,
shop, communal lounge rooms, indoor recreational facilities, children's play
centre, café/restaurant, laundry room, field game facilities). Firms offering
touring caravans, motorhomes, tents and camping equipment may be included in the
listing.
Self Catering Accommodation
This category of Accommodation covers a variety of premises in urban and rural
areas, ranging from modern bungalows, old converted houses, 'semi-detached'
two-storey houses to group schemes of purpose-designed units. The Irish Cottages
and Holiday Homes Association is an organisation whose members all manage a
minimum of eight purpose-designed units of self-catering holiday accommodation.
