Northern Ireland is a very welcoming place, and for families we put on an extra special welcome. No matter what type or size of family you are, we’ve got somewhere exciting and inspiring which will immediately feel like your home from home while you’re here. We’ve got hotels for families who like everything taken care of, guesthouses for families who appreciate an extra special personal touch, self-catering cottages and apartments, campsites, caravan parks and even family-orientated glamping options. Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll also find refreshing adventure, discovery and inspiration right on your doorstep.
Bed and board in Belfast
Belfast has a wealth of top-class hotels for you to choose from and many of them cater very well for children. Jurys Inn (4*), slap bang in the middle of town, has pull-out beds for kids so they can stay close to their carers. All of their restaurants and cafés have menus for kids and there are of course big screens and free wi-fi.
Apart from its proximity to the city centre, Belfast’s Holiday Inn (4*) has great deals for kids, often involving the word free. From a value point of view, this spot is second to none and their staff are extremely helpful and friendly. This is the perfect option for the family who spend most of their time out and about.
For those who want to stay a little away from the hustle of town, the Crowne Plaza (4*) will work wonders. This sleek hotel is calm and relaxing and has dedicated quiet zones for light sleepers. It also has the added advantage of a twenty-metre swimming pool - never a bad thing particularly with kids in tow.
Set in a quiet, tree-lined neighbourhood near the beautiful Botanic Gardens, the Malone Lodge (4*) offers both hotel and self-catering options. It’s homely, flexible and if you’re going away and coming back, they’ll hold on to your stuff for you - that’s the kind of touch we like around here.
The Cordia Apartments (4*) on the Lisburn Road have 23 places to stay of various shapes and sizes. It’s comfortable and convenient and offers a decent base from which to explore the city.
A little outside the city, but still within easy reach of its sights, sounds and shopping, is La Mon Hotel & Country Club (4*) in Newtownards. Set in the countryside and perfectly located just 15 minutes from Belfast, you can make the most of the peaceful setting at La Mon yet still be close to all that Belfast has to offer including the 5* Titanic Belfast, W5 and Belfast Zoo.
This family-friendly hotel offers plenty of on-site activities including a swimming pool and dolphin baby pool, tennis court, croquet on the lawn and putting green. There is also a seasonal supervised and very aptly-named La MONster's Kids Club available during Summer, Halloween, Christmas and Easter, allowing mums and dads time to relax in the luxury spa or country club (whilst missing them terribly of course!).
Awaken in Antrim
It’s really once you get outside of the cities that you begin to find the quirkier types of accommodation on offer right across Northern Ireland. The owners of Slemish Barn (3*) in The Braid at the gateway to the Glens of Antrim is a great spot for families. Extremely comfortable rooms include bunk beds and Fusball! What more do you need?
If you’re looking for something rustic but a little more luxurious then you should look into the log cabins at Galgorm Spa and Golf Resort (4*). The cabins situated on the banks of the River Maine are a short walk from the main hotel where you can avail of the spas and two swimming pools. But you may not need to. Each cabin has its own private hot tub.
The Inn On The Coast (3*) is a family-run 30-room hotel offering great family friendly accommodation and has an on-site games room where kids can amuse themselves, leaving the grown-ups time to relax and enjoy their evening.
Situated on the Causeway Coastal Route between the beautiful harbour towns of Portrush and Portstewart, this is an ideal stop-off to take in the many local attractions including Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the medieval Dunluce Castle.
Lie down and dream in Limavady
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived in Mongolia when you see the teepees and tents laid out on the grounds of the Carrowmena Activity Centre. It’s a bit like the Olympics here. As well as kayaking and canoeing, you’ll learn how to build your own raft. You’ll then get lost in a maze made from... maize and there is a wealth of other climbing activities too. This spot in Limavady offers great value glamping, camping and big bell tents with great views of Binevenagh Mountain. Let the kids drift off to sleep, they’ll be wrecked, while you relax outside and take in the view with a glass of wine. This might just be a parents’ paradise never mind heaven for the kids!
Down for the night in Derry-Londonderry
If you’re staying in Derry-Londonderry, then the City Hotel (4*) is a good bet for your family. These guys regularly have excellent value family deals and that all important pool is also available. Located just outside the famous city walls, it’s the perfect spot to explore the town from.
On Sundays, the Everglades Hotel (4*) just outside the town serves up a Sunday lunch to beat the band. They also have a band and a children’s entertainer between 1pm - 4pm. Even if you’re not staying, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Sleeping in the Sperrins in County Tyrone
In Tyrone, Sperrin View Glamping offers a unique site located at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains and in a prime location recognised as one of Northern Ireland's best Dark Sky Sites. Each pod comes fully equipped with its own kitchenette & shower room and a specially manufactured "viewing window" which allows you to lie in bed and gaze up at the stars.
Elsewhere in County Tyrone you’ll find Blessingbourne Courtyard Apartments.
Blessingbourne Estate is a working farm set on a beautiful country estate on the edge of Clogher Valley, just a 5-minute walk to the village of Fivemiletown where you’ll find ample shops, child friendly restaurants and a trekking centre nearby.
The Courtyard Apartments range from 3* – 5* and are a haven for both adults and children with a range of activities available on-site including mountain bike trails, a pump track, tennis court, boating and cycling. Your little ones will enjoy the costume museum, meeting the animals, riding around on the outside toys or playing in the wooden play area.
Finn Valley Cottages (4*) are a set of self-catering cottages overlooking Finn Valley and are fantastic for a family break. You’re only 15 minutes from the Ulster American Folk Park and a one hour drive away from the Giant’s Causeway and everything the Causeway Coast has to offer.
The cottages are fully equipped for your holiday, and there’s plenty to entertain the kids with an onsite games room with pool table, safe play area for younger children, free Wi-Fi and, more importantly for mums and dads, a grocery shopping service is available on request
Nestled in a picturesque rural location in the Sperrins, The Views, Limavady (5*) is ideal for a stress-free, relaxing family holiday – well, as relaxing as it can be! The Views comfortably sleeps 8 people with plenty of activities onsite. In the purpose-built games room you’ll find a snooker table, table tennis and iPod docking station, while younger children can make the most of the playroom – fully stocked with Lego, a doll’s house and board games.
Set your snooze button in Fermanagh
A warm welcome awaits you and your family at Arch House B&B near Enniskillen where kids will be spoilt for choice with a host of games provided on-site including table tennis, darts, trampoline, climbing frame and play house. As Arch House is a working farm, the kids will also have a chance to see calves being born, help feed the animals or enjoy a walk around one of the various farm trails.
Arch House is located just a 10 minute drive from Enniskillen, situated close to the Marble Arch Caves and within walking distance of Florence Court with its beautiful gardens and walking trails.
Lusty Beg Island (4*) is a unique and an utterly charming destination offering the perfect location to relax and unwind. The sense of getting away from it all starts with the five-minute ferry ride across Lough Erne to this natural haven. Set amongst beautiful lake-side woodlands, there is a selection of accommodation including self-catering houses and ensuite bedrooms. There is a restaurant, a retreat spa, an activity centre, nature trail and fairy trail and they even have some tennis courts if you want to hit some aces of your own.
Fans of self-catering will love the offering at Manor House Marine. Their Manor Cottages (3.5) on the shores of Lower Lough Erne are located next to the marina and just a short stroll to the beautiful hotel. The chalet style cottages have large panoramic windows with uninterrupted views across the lough. All of which you can enjoy while your family try their hand at boules or golf.
Out for the count in Armagh, the Orchard County
In days gone by and long before the luxury hotel came to these parts, the Irish countryside was dotted with B&Bs. We are happy to say there are still tonnes of them left and there’s a warm welcome for you at Fairylands (3*) just outside Armagh. What makes this place special? In a word, Maureen. She’s the owner and provider of one the finest Ulster Fries you’re likely to consume.
Deep sleeps aplenty in County Down
Enjoy a fun-filled family holiday at Drumlin Lane self-catering in either of the beautifully finished and fully equipped 4* cottages, Hillcrest and Croob View. Situated in the rolling countryside, less than a 5-minute drive from the historic village of Hillsborough, Drumlin Lane offers scenic, spacious and luxurious rural family friendly accommodation, and is less than half an hour’s drive from Belfast.
Facilities onsite include a 14′ outdoor Trampoline, Table Tennis Table, Pool Table, and lots of books, games, and DVDs to keep children and adults alike entertained. Feel free to load up the roof rack with any bikes or sporting equipment as there is an abundance of secure storage space.
There are simple pleasures to be had for all at the self-catering Clonlum Holiday Cottages near Newry. The cottages sleep four to six people and are kitted out with...wait for it...Netflix. Keep that bit of news to yourself for a rainy day. Hopefully you won’t need it because on warm summer evenings, you can fire up the barbecue, sit back and let the kids run wild, as you take in the views of the majestic Slieve Gullion that rises up before you.
You can expect something similar at Kilwarlin Self-Catering Cottages near Hillsborough - two old farm buildings have been lovingly converted into cosy retreats. Not too far away, Drumra Apartment is another option for those who want to look after themselves in comfort.
For that authentic Irish cottage stay, you couldn’t pick better than Kribben Cottages. This group of five white-washed houses sit right under the eye of the Mourne Mountains and really look like something for a living postcard. Opened in 2014 by locals John and Myrtle Haugh, you’ll find plenty of space for playing chase along with a small playground and a good spot to cook your food outdoors.
The Barn at Lisnacurran Country House (4*) is a self-catering gem with a lovely Irish craft polish to its layout. All the older bits - cast iron radiators, wooden floors - add to its sense of comfort. And when you throw in the hot tub and the sauna, as well as the garden play areas for children, you’ve got a unique spot to spend a night or maybe two.
There’s plenty of options here to choose from and plenty more to discover once you really start looking. No matter what type of family-friendly accommodation you choose, you’re sure to find a warm Northern Ireland welcome waiting for all of you.
