B&Bs and the Question of Compulsory Licensing

A report released today (27 August 2008) has called for the compulsory licensing and a quality grading scale for bed and breakfasts in Ireland. The report was commissioned by the Town and Country Homes Association which has over 60% of the Bord Fáilte registered Bed and Breakfasts in Ireland.

Currently the Bord Fáilte approval for Bed and Breakfasts in Ireland is a voluntary process and costs proprietors in the region of €200 annually for the shamrock sign which signifies Bord Fáilte approval. It is argued that compulsory licensing would increase consumer confidence in Bed and Breakfasts and would ultimately award higher quality properties and penalise those of a lower quality.

“Up to 5,000 unapproved B&Bs are currently allowed to operate without any health and safety standards, undermining over 2,600 registered B&Bs who pay to be inspected. In all other sectors of accommodation in Ireland you must register and be graded for quality and standards – so why not in B&Bs?” – Kate Burns

The B&B sector in Ireland is estimated at contributing €300 million to the economy annually. This suggested licensing comes with the explosion of low cost hotel accommodation in Ireland alongside the competition from unregistered B&Bs. Tourism revenue dropped during 2008 for the first time in 4 years. This drop combined with the oversupply in hotel rooms has created further difficulty for Bed and Breakfasts in Ireland.

“After a decade of strong growth, the tourism industry is now falling victim to the global economic downturn and an unfavorably strong Euro, leaving a “mismatch” between supply and demand for hotel accommodation that will exacerbate problems for the wider economy, the author of the research report” – Rossa White

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Accommodation in the South of Ireland

The south of Ireland offers countless accommodation options, whatever your budget and whatever your tastes.

There is a wide range of accommodation options in the region, including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, caravan & camping and self catering accommodation.

Hotels

Hotel choices in the region vary from the very luxurious to the very basic. If you are looking for high quality five-star accommodation then you are spoiled for choice in the south of Ireland. The Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney; Dunloe Castle, near the gap of Dunloe; Park Hotel Kenmare; and The Kingsley Hotel in Cork City are just a few examples. There are also countless mid-range and budget options in the region.

Guesthouses

If you want a more intimate experience then check out one of the region’s many guesthouses. These range from cosy family homes to historical stately homes and make an interesting change from normal hotels.

Bed & Breakfasts

Bed & Breakfasts offer great value for money and an opportunity to stay in a welcoming Irish family home. Bed & Breakfast rooms start at about €30 per night and will include a home cooked Irish breakfast. There are countless Bed & Breakfasts in the region offering excellent choice and value.

Hostels

With a bed for the night available for as little as €15, hostels are the perfect option for the budget traveler. Many offers a basic breakfast and most have private rooms available too. Staying at a hostel is a great way to meet fellow travelers.

Caravan & Camping

There is a wide choice of caravan & camping parks throughout the region both by the coast and inland at reasonable prices.

Self Catering

Do it your own way by staying in self catering accommodation and enjoy the freedom of eating and sleeping when you choose. There is a good choice of self catering accommodation available whether you are after a rural cottage or sea-side apartment

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Where to Stay in Ennis

If you are just passing through the town of Ennis then of course you will not find yourself in need of accommodation . . . yet there is just something so warm, so friendly, so simply, unassumingly welcoming about this quaint, picturesque little town in Country Clare . . . you are not to be blamed if you feel yourself drawn to it. If, on getting out of your car to just stretch your legs, catch a bite to eat and take a look around, you find yourself falling so in love with Ennis that you simply have top fin a place to spend at least one night, nobody will blame you; more than that, nobody will be surprised. You certainly aren’t the first to do so, and you definitely will not be the last.

Ennis offers a competitive selection of accommodation options, and visitors to the town are often pleased to learn it. There are several hotels available in Ennis, many of them enviably located near the town centre and a myriad of attractions. Many (although not all) of the hotels will offer guests ensuite baths in addition to comfortable, well thought out and well appointed guest rooms. Try a night at the Old Ground Hotel in the heart of town, or maybe stay a week at the chic Ashford Court Boutique Hotel, which also features a lovely restaurant.

Or, if bed and breakfast is more your style, Ennis can accommodate you there, too! There are a selection of bed and breakfast establishments for visitors to choose from. Try a night at Carbery House, or perhaps Newpark House, and revel in the comforts of a more intimate environment and service. Fountain Court is also popular, as is St Patrick’s Bed and Breakfast. Or, if you simply prefer self catering options, then simply bunk down in Baker’s House, and take care of your own needs— Ennis really has it all!

For nightlife in Ennis look no further than Knox’s Pub and Bistro which is centrally located. Ennis is situated north of Shannon Airport on the N21 and is very accessible from Galway, Limerick and Shannon Airport.

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A Little Place to Call Your Own: Accommodation in Dingle

With people visiting Dingle expressing such widely varying preferences for entertainment and accommodation, it should come as no wonder to learn that the types of accommodation offered vary just as widely. When you visit you can stay anywhere from a four star luxury centrally-located hotel to a modest little guest house tucked away in the Peninsula hills, and can choose between remote areas and those of greater population.

One of the increasingly popular residency options, particularly for people who have already visited Dingle a few times and know their way around, are self-catering cottages. These vary in the degrees of service offered, but all of them do provide the traveler with a greater degree of autonomy than would a hotel room, a bed and breakfast, guest house or any other form of accommodation where the resident is under closer scrutiny. If you prefer peace, quiet and privacy and the chance to set your own schedule, perhaps set up housekeeping and feel a greater degree of control over your own space, then self-catering accommodation is quite possibly a wise choice.

Dingle offers visitors a generous variety in self-catering accommodation, usually in the form of small cottages that can be rented by the week or the months. Many of these are centrally located, such as the Single Marina Cottages, which are found right in Dingle own. With their lovely harbour view Dingle Marina Cottages are a popular choice with guests, and in addition to their view of Dingle Harbour they also offer comfortable, well-appointed sleeping and living quarters, including a fully fitted kitchen (crockery and cutlery included) with all necessary linens and towels provided for your greater convenience. If you happen to visit during a chilly spell, the electric heating will keep you warm and cosy, and you can look out over your harbour view in comfort.

Of course, if you fancied living it up a bit you could also check into Heatons Guest House which is located just outside of Dingle.

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Versatile and Pleasant Accommodation in Dingle

When you choose to stay in Dingle you will be pleased to find that there are many diverting activities for all ages and interest groups. And when booking Dingle accommodation you will be relieved to learn that the choice of accommodation in Dingle is as varied as the activities. If you want to get away from the bustle of the outside world and forget about the pace of modern life, then there is accommodation in Dingle to suit you. Or, if you want to be a bit more centrally located, perhaps in a town with a lovely view of the water, Dingle will have something to appeal.

If you are accustomed to traveling to and staying in larger cities, particularly in North America, chances are your first thought when you consider accommodation will be a hotel or possibly a resort. However, when you come to Ireland you will be delightfully surprised to find that there are a number of other types of accommodation that are the norm, and when you come to the Dingle peninsula you may was to try out a new experience, and stay in guesthouse accommodation.

Guesthouse accommodation is popular in Dingle, as well as all over Ireland. Guesthouses are family-owned dwellings with certain rooms set aside for the use of visitors. In a Dingle guesthouse you will have the chance to stay with an Irish family as you explore the countryside. Guesthouses are located in a number of different areas, and offer visitors great selection in their choice of amenities. Some guesthouses offer guests great views of both the mountains and the harbour, and many are located handy to one or both of Dingle Peninsula’s walking trails that cover most of the area, providing easy and safe foot access to many popular historic sites. No matter where you choose to stay, you will find that in and around Dingle accommodation is everything you could hope for.

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Places to Stay in Galway

With an enviable selection of accommodation of every style, size and price, Galway caters to the tastes of each individual tourist. Visitors to Galway will be delighted to find a hotel that meets their particular requirements for privacy, style and budget, to name just a few of the criteria that the savvy traveler applies when selecting a hotel.

If your standards are high and your tastes discriminating, then you may want to book a room at the Eyre Square Hotel. This centrally located hotel is situated convenient to bus and rail stations, and caters with equal care to tourists and business clients. The on-site bistro offers sumptuous food and their staff will welcome you with courtesy and warmth,

For equal warmth at a more moderate price, try the Skeffington Arms Hotel. Located in the very heart of Galway City, situated within easy reach of restaurants, shops and transportation, the Skeffington Arms Hotel is delighted to offer intimate and dedicated service to each and every guest.

If conventional hotels are not your cup of tea, then you might want to consider self-catering apartment accommodation. Cuirt Na Coiribe offers eighty six apartment style accommodation, perfect for the larger group, or a traveller who wants to experience the luxury of spaciousness. Along similar lines is the Gort Na Coiribe Holiday Village, a development featuring apartments and townhouses quite convenient to Galway City Centre. The Village is handy to pubs, cinemas and shops, to name just a few amenities, and is a popular choice for new and repeat visitors.

If you are more conventional in your tastes, there is always the traditional travelers’ favourite, the Best Western. Flannery’s Best Western Hotel offers both style and luxury. There really is an option for everyone in Galway City, and a little careful planning is usually all it takes to secure the accommodation you will remember fondly for a long time to come.

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Places to Stay in Cork

It doesn’t matter if you’re a first time tourist or a seasoned traveler, when you arrive in Cork City after your flight, you will probably want to head straight for your accommodations and put your feet up to recover. Traveling is tiring, after all, so there’s no shame in wanting to rest up and catch your second wind before you get ready to explore the delights that the city has to offer.

When choosing hotel accommodation in Cork City, you will want to take into account your own personal preference for comfort and atmosphere as well as the constraints of your budget. Cork City offers a wide selection of places to stay, so knowing exactly what you are looking for in your accommodation will help make the selection that much easier.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel that is modern, comfortable and centrally located, then you may want to check out venues such as the Clarion Hotel. The Clarion is located right in the City Quarter and boasts beautiful views of the River Lee. Not only is the hotel central to shopping, entertainment venues and the many other delights of Cork City, but it also features such amenities as a classy restaurant and bar, a breathtaking lounge, health spa and many other perks that guests are certain to enjoy.

If it’s history and atmosphere you prefer, however, then why not try the Victoria House Hotel? This elegant, historic venue is also centrally located and hosted famous Irish writer James Joyce. Or, if you prefer a taste of home away from home, check out Killarney House, a delightful guest house combining comfort, style and hospitality in one cosy package. Budget minded travellers may want to stop over at the Cork Airport Travelodge or even at Sheila’s Budget Accommodation Centre; no matter who you are and what you are looking for in a hotel, Cork City will have a place for you.

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