"After a $23 million renovation, this historic Irish castle hotel has been upgraded for today’s traveler without losing the charm that’s helped make it such an iconic place to stay, particularly among American visitors. You’ll feel like you’re traveling back in time as you make the drive from the estate gates down a winding lane, past forest thickets and a vast lake, to catch the first glimpse of stone towers and turrets. While the estate has been the ancestral home of the royal-blooded O’Brien family since the 16th century, the current castle dates back to the early 1800s, and has been restored and expanded several times in that time before becoming a hotel in the 1960s. Guest rooms are traditional and comfortable (and most have both a shower and a tub)—but you're not just here to lounge about. Make time to enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course, or a falconry walk, before you head off to explore the Cliffs and the Burren." - Sandra Ramani
