Ireland

First Stop: Doolin + The Cliffs of Moher

We started our Ireland trip by flying into Shannon Airport, which I think is the perfect way to begin if you want to explore Ireland’s west coast. Instead of heading straight for one of the bigger cities, we made our way to Doolin, a tiny village on the Wild Atlantic Way and one of those places that immediately feels exactly like the Ireland you came hoping to find.

Rolling green countryside, little pubs, traditional Irish music, stone walls, the ocean nearby it is ridiculously charming. And, even better, you’re only about 10 minutes from the Cliffs of Moher, making Doolin such an easy base for exploring this part of County Clare.

Where to Stay: Fiddle + Bow

Our pick here is Fiddle + Bow Hotel, a tiny boutique hotel right in the heart of Doolin.

This place is so cute.

It only has 13 rooms, which gives it that intimate, personal feeling we always gravitate toward when traveling. It feels polished and thoughtfully designed without losing the coziness of being in the Irish countryside. The interiors mix contemporary details with little nods to Doolin’s musical heritage, and everything feels warm, unfussy and welcoming.

The rooms are beautiful and comfortable, with really thoughtful details—great beds, locally sourced coffee and tea, filtered water and Irish Voya bath products. Some of the larger rooms even have little sitting areas, which makes them feel more like somewhere you actually want to spend time rather than just a place to sleep.

And then there is the food.

Russells Seafood Bar, part of Fiddle + Bow, is exactly the kind of restaurant you hope to stumble upon in a small Irish village: local, seasonal seafood, cocktails and a cozy atmosphere that makes you very happy you don't have to get back in the car after dinner. The kitchen focuses on seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients, and it feels like part of the experience of staying here rather than simply a hotel restaurant.

But possibly our favorite detail is breakfast.

Breakfast at Fiddle + Bow is not an afterthought. Their Russells breakfast combines things like yogurt, fruit and cereals with a hot breakfast cooked to order, and it is included with your stay. It’s the kind of slow breakfast you want before pulling on a jacket and heading out to explore the cliffs and coastline.

There’s also a little Russells Coffee Shop for coffee, scones, sausage rolls and sweet treats before heading out for the day.

Why we love it: Fiddle + Bow feels like Ireland in miniature—small, warm, beautifully done, surrounded by incredible scenery and right in a village where you can walk out the door and find pubs, food and traditional music. Stay here, spend a day at the Cliffs of Moher, wander around Doolin, have seafood at Russells, find a pub with live music and settle into the slower pace of the west coast.

It is exactly how we would want an Ireland trip to begin.

Next Stop: Doonbeg + The Wild Atlantic Way

From Doolin, we continue south along the coast to Doonbeg, another tiny village on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The drive itself is part of the reason to come this way, green fields, little coastal towns, stone walls and stretches of Atlantic coastline that make you want to stop the car every five minutes.

Where to Stay: Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg

Our next stay is Doonbeg, a sprawling five-star resort sitting right on the Atlantic Ocean.

Forget the golf for a second, even if you never plan on picking up a club, this property is worth staying at for the location alone.

The resort sits along a spectacular stretch of rugged coastline overlooking Doughmore Bay, with windswept dunes, an enormous beach and the Atlantic basically at your doorstep. It feels remote in the best possible way: quiet, dramatic and completely different from the little village experience in Doolin.

The accommodations are also a big reason we love this stop, especially for families. Rather than feeling like traditional hotel rooms, many of the suites and cottages are incredibly spacious, with multiple bedrooms, living areas and kitchens. It gives you room to actually settle in for a couple of nights, which, when traveling Ireland with kids, is a very welcome change. We did a full week here!

Then there is the cozy side of the resort. After being outside exploring the coast all day, you can come back, have a drink by the fire and settle in for dinner without having to go anywhere else. The Ocean View Restaurant is the more elevated dining option, while Darby’s Bar has that relaxed Irish pub feeling we love,warm, casual and exactly where you want to end a cold or rainy day on the coast.

And definitely leave time for breakfast. There is something about a big Irish breakfast, endless coffee and looking out toward the Atlantic before heading off for another day of exploring that just feels right here.

One of our favorite things about staying in Doonbeg, though, is simply having Doughmore Beach right outside. Take a long walk in the morning, let the kids run around, breathe in the ocean air and don't plan too much. Ireland is one of those places where some of the best moments happen when you're doing absolutely nothing.

Why we love it: Doonbeg gives you space, incredible scenery and that feeling of being tucked away on the edge of Ireland. After the intimate little village atmosphere of Doolin and Fiddle + Bow, it's a completely different kind of stay, and that's exactly why we love putting the two together.

Come for the Atlantic views, stay for the cozy evenings, and don't worry if you aren't a golfer, you can enjiy the spa too! Blake did golf though and really enjoyed the views, abstolutely stunning! Kids loved to play too! There is also a fishing pond, endless trails, a cute kids club, horseback riding, kites. A total dream :)

Final Stop: Dublin

After a few days of tiny villages, winding roads and Ireland’s wild western coastline, we finish the trip in Dublin, and the change of pace is so much fun.

Where to Stay: The College Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection

For our last stop, we stay at The College Green Hotel Dublin, right in the heart of the city.

And when we say right in the heart of it, we mean it. This is the kind of hotel where you can drop your bags, walk out the front door and immediately start exploring Dublin. Trinity College is just across the way, Grafton Street is nearby, and Temple Bar, the River Liffey and so many of the city's restaurants, pubs and shops are within an easy walk.

The building itself is gorgeous. The hotel occupies a collection of historic buildings, including a former bank, and has that beautiful, grand European-hotel feeling: soaring ceilings, ornate architectural details, dramatic staircases and rooms that feel elegant without being overly stuffy.

After the quiet countryside, we love ending here because you really don't need an itinerary. Walk to Trinity College in the morning, wander through the city, stop for lunch, find a great pub, shop a little, and eventually make your way back to the hotel.

One of the prettiest spaces in the hotel is The Atrium, a light-filled lounge beneath an enormous glass ceiling. It's such a lovely place for afternoon tea or a cocktail and a little break from walking around Dublin all day.

And then there is breakfast, because apparently breakfast is becoming a very important part of this Ireland hotel guide. A slow hotel breakfast before stepping straight out into Dublin is exactly how we want to spend the last mornings of the trip.

Why we love it: Location, location, location. For your first time in Dublin, we think being able to walk almost everywhere completely changes the experience. And after staying in smaller, more remote properties along the west coast, ending the trip in a beautiful historic hotel surrounded by the energy of Dublin feels like the perfect finale.

From the cliffs and tiny pubs of Doolin, to the windswept Atlantic coast in Doonbeg, and finally the streets of Dublin, this little Ireland itinerary gives you a taste of three completely different sides of the country.