The Brendan Vacations Twelve Stays of Christmas
These are the best hotels for Christmas
What better way to wrap up Christmas than to travel somewhere unforgettable?
We think the holiday season is done better in our Celtic Homelands. When we think of our favorite holiday stays in Ireland and Scotland, we think of lobbies dripping in sparkling decorations, decadent rooms brimming with plushness, soul warming hot drinks served with mince pies, service that is dialed up to anticipate needs you didn't even know you had, open fires burning slowly as you walk in from the cold, and carols raising the festive tone in every space.
So naturally, we just couldn’t help ourselves, it had to be done: Here’s our picks for the 12 Stays of Christmas. These places make our extra-nice list for how they do the holidays right. At these properties, Christmas is more than simply a change in décor. It's how the spirit of the season is showcased for their special holiday guests through elevated service, cozy food, and unique festive experiences. Book your Christmases at one of these properties to be filled with good cheer and perhaps have Santa's milk and cookies delivered with room service.
Great Southern Killarney
Step off the train in Killarney and into a romantic, Victorian-era Christmas tableau. Then, stay for a holiday filled with classic sparkling charm, carols and delicious treats.
What makes this stay unique? We picked the Great Southern as one of our favorite holiday destinations because the difference here is the service. Family-owned, the Great Southern Killarney team will take care of all the details for you and wrap you up in genuine Irish hospitality.
Mount Juliet
Ensconced in Georgian manor home beauty, the Mount Juliet estate fills with fanciful gingerbread houses, glittering lights, decorated trees and all the charms of a traditional holiday celebration.
What makes this stay unique? Our favorite thing to do while staying at Mount Juliet during the holiday season is to wrap up warm, grab a takeaway hot chocolate and head out onto the gorgeous 500-acre estate for a romantic walk past its rolling rivers and verdant pastures.
Ashford Castle
Christmas in a castle, need we say more? Ashford’s rich red velvet and oak interior get dressed in greenery, a towering tree commands wonder-eyed gazing and carefully crafted sweets and dishes abound.
What makes this stay unique? There are many reasons to consider Ashford Castle as your home for the holidays but one of our favorites is the Festive Afternoon Tea which combines the elegance of the Connaught Room overlooking Lough Corrib, dining off the original silver tea set, and seasonal flavors…think turkey & cranberry dainty sandwiches, cinnamon and caramelized milk chocolate bavarois, and your choice of teas or champagne.
Duisdale House Hotel
Pairs chic modern style and classic Scottish hospitality, complete with candlelit dinners, special Christmas breakfast, afternoon teas, mince pies and mulled wine.
What makes this stay unique? You should consider Duisdale for its intimate feelings. This property is small and boutique, with a private lounge which will have you feeling like you are at home in your own luxury mansion along the shoreline on the Isle of Skye.
Bishops Gate Hotel
Not quite the North Pole, this historic hotel offers festive breaks, shopping, winter escapes and family bookings with Santa for the season that envelopes the city.
What makes this stay unique? We recommend the Bishops Gate Hotel for its luxurious atmosphere and its location within the city walls of Derry, perfect for exploring the cozy pubs tucked into the corners of this historic city.
Rusacks St. Andrews
If a perfect round is on your Christmas list, this is where to stay. A stone’s throw from the Old Course, book a week here for an iconic holiday and ring in the season with tee times and classic Scottish winter warmers.
What makes this stay unique? Rusacks, a must for any golfer, is one of our favorites for the season because of its perfect position overlooking the Old Course in St Andrews. Also worth a mention is its myriad of dining options which include Festive Afternoon Teas at The Bridge and Christmas-themed lunches and dinners at its stunning rooftop restaurant, 18 (the name is a nod to its unparalleled view over the iconic 18th hole at the Old Course).
Cashel Palace
The new and rare one is beautifully set for the holidays, offering a tranquil holiday spent in beautiful rooms, luxuriant amenities, and filled with classic delights to dine, snack, and sip on.
What makes this stay unique? Cashel Palace has recently undergone an extensive renovation and now presents as five-star luxury in a historic Palladian manor. This is one of our favorite holiday stays because of its location tucked between one of Ireland's icons, the Rock of Cashel, and the town of Cashel itself which is full of perfect little pubs and shops to explore. We recommend a seaweed bath at the spa as an alternative way to fill your cup this holiday season.
Dromoland Castle
A classic that we simply couldn't leave off our list of best stays for the season! Crackling wood-burning fires, history-rich walls and wonder around every turn. This authentic castle turned hotel celebrates the season with heart and hearth-warming style.
What makes this stay unique? This is one of our favorites because it affords true luxury in an effortless way. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning in a castle knowing that waiting for you outside your magnificent bedroom are crackling fires, deep cozy sofas, twinkling lights, a spectacular gingerbread house, festive treats, lavish decorations, and if you are so inclined, a frosty walk in the picturesque grounds.
Brooks Hotel
Central to Dublin’s best holiday shopping, you can book the in-house 24-seat cinema to have a luxuriant Christmas movie watching, complete with a festive holiday dinner.
What makes this stay unique? This classic is one of our top picks because of it's location in the heart of Dublin's cobbled lanes. Recently listed among the best Christmas destinations in the world by travel publication Conde Nast, Dublin offers seasonal shopping, markets, tree lighting ceremonies and pub crawls galore. And – absolutely be sure to book that small cinema here for your private Christmas movie experience.
Grand Central Belfast
The best Belfast holiday lights viewing is here in the art deco Observation room lounge. Towering above the city, you can see every glittering light while sipping seasonal crafted cocktails.
What makes this stay unique? The Grand Central is our favorite holiday destination in Belfast as it's one of the most luxurious hotels in the city and offers the best views of the city from the Observatory. We recommend booking a table and enjoying a festive cocktail as the sun sets and the festive lights of Belfast's Christmas markets sparkle to life not far from the front door of the hotel. Oh and, the beds at the Grand Central are some of the most sumptuous you'll sleep in…you won't want to leave!
Ness Walk Hotel
Reimagined Highland hospitality features a beautiful 5-star dining experience for Christmas, festive celebrating and then New Year's with Hogmanay in Inverness.
What makes this stay unique? Set in a renovated historic mansion on the banks of the River Ness, Ness Walk is amongst our top picks for a holiday stay because of it's fine dining Torrish Restaurant. Torrish offers a menu that is innovative, showcasing quintessential Scottish cuisine, cooked from ingredients which are local and are often grown on the grounds of the hotel. The festive menu affords you options including Highland Game Terrine, Orkney Scallops, Roast Turkey, Scottish Cod, and Cranberry & Pistachio Nougat Glace Parfait. This is Scottish food at it's finest.
Hayfield Manor
Christmas in Cork with a Hayfield Manor luxury stay starts with festive drinks on arrival, special holiday dining or room service each day – and for top festivity, a decorated tree in your room.
What makes this stay unique? Hayfield Manor is one of our all-time favorite places to spend the festive season. A five-star manor in the center of Cork city, this boutique luxury hotel is nestled in a beautiful walled garden and is dripping in decorations during the Christmas period. This one is on our favorites list because its romantic atmosphere is dialed up during the holidays as they serve mulled wine, festive treats and even Christmas Carols by the fires that burn a little bit brighter at this time of the year.
