Self-Catering

When it comes to finding your home from home, there’s no better way of finding that special place for a magical and memorable visit to Northern Ireland than by choosing one of the many self-catering options to be found right across the country.

All up to you in County Antrim

Where better to start looking than in County Antrim at the start of the world famous Causeway Coastal Route and with easy access to the bright lights and big city feel of Belfast. Ballygally Holiday Apartments (4*) offer all this and much more, with expansive views of the Antrim Glens on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. With one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available you’re bound to find just the right size for your gang, and WiFi, washer/dryer and widescreen TV are just some of the creature comforts on offer here. From here you can strike out on foot for a walk in the Antrim Glens themselves or take to four wheels and embark on the Causeway Coastal Route.

Cabins with a difference on the Causeway Coast

Out on the Causeway Coast itself the views are truly spectacular. Spoiled by those views you’ll want somewhere equally spectacular to go on and spoil yourself even more. If that’s the case then look no further then Aurora (5*) in Bushmills, the County Antrim town that’s synonymous with the world famous Irish whiskey. This pair of Canadian cedar log cabins really are something special and spectacular, featuring wood burners, supersized beds, outdoor hot tubs and private terraces from which to marvel at the views that stretch all the way to Rathlin Island itself. Complete with modern kitchen facilities, Aurora makes for a magical luxury self-catering escape for up to four people. You might never want to leave this place!

Apartments with a view from tee to green in Portrush

A little along the famed and fabled Causeway Coast is the bustling surf-tastic town of Portrush. Right there between world-famous Royal Portrush Golf Club which hosted the 2019 Open Championship and Portrush’s majestic East Strand is Curran Gate (5*), a luxury self-catering apartment complex that makes a perfectly indulgent base for exploring Portrush, Portstewart, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, the Giant’s Causeway and the Dark Hedges of Game of Thrones® fame. All modern facilities are laid on for each of these 21 apartments which sleep up to six people. There’s even a concierge team to arrange breakfasts, meal deliveries and sports, leisure and cultural bookings if you’re in need of extra pampering.

A magical hideaway in Lisburn

On the other side of Belfast from the Causeway Coast you’ll find Lisburn, a popular shopping destination in itself but also perfectly positioned for easy access to the sights of Belfast and the delights of County Down. This is where you’ll come across the beautiful 600-acre Larchfield Estate carefully nestled between woodland and farmland. Tucked away in Larchfield Estate is Rose Cottage (5*) an immaculately renovated cottage with plenty of craft touches and even its own private garden. The cottage sleeps two in magnificent comfort and there’s sleeping space for two more available thanks to a convertible couch.

Songs of praise for County Down

The shores of Strangford Lough in County Down are a very special place to begin with. Step into the quiet, leafy grounds of Quarry Hill Church (5*) at the edge of Strangford’s pretty village, however, and you’ll find yourself on the threshold of somewhere extra special indeed. This converted church just has to be seen to be believed – original church features and ultra-modern touches combine to offer magnificent self-catering for as many as 10 people. Everything your visit might need is amply provided for here, from the massive double-height living and dining area to the high-end kitchen and bathrooms to the outdoor BBQ and garden seating. You can stay here like kings and queens while visiting nearby Castle Ward, the setting for Winterfell in Game of Thrones®, or many of the other County Down attractions that are mere minutes from here.

Live it up in the Fermanagh Lakelands

If County Fermanagh is your destination then you’ll want to be as close to the water as possible to make the most of the thing that makes this county so special. You won’t get closer to Lough Erne without being on it or in it than you will at Killyhevlin Lakeside Lodges (4*). Perched right on the water’s edge, this collection of 14 log-panelled, 2-bedroom lodges offers all you need for the ultimate lakeside break, including an open-plan family lounge with lake view, access to a private decking area, and your very own mooring. What’s more, stay in the lodges and you’ll also get to indulge in the on-site leisure centre with its heated pool, hot tub and Elemis spa – that’s the best of both worlds!

As you can see, all sorts of self-catering holidays in Northern Ireland really are very well catered for and there are some truly exceptional places to choose once you get a taste for doing it all for yourself.