Best family-friendly hotels in Northern Ireland

Historic cities, unspoiled coastlines, museums galore, and the world's most famous ship, all within easy reach of dramatic landscapes and forest parks. Northern Ireland offers a bit of everything for travellers of all ages.

It's often overlooked as a destination for a family break but it shouldn't be — there's plenty to explore with the entire brood, and there are tons of child-friendly places to stay that offer a warm welcome and amenities for kids.

We've enlisted the help of our well-travelled Mumsnetters to recommend the best hotels, lodges and campsites for a hassle-free holiday in Northern Ireland.

What are the best family hotels in Northern Ireland?

• Best Belfast hotel: AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast

• Best for a beach break: The Marine Hotel Ballycastle

• Best for luxury: Bishop's Gate Hotel, Derry

• Best for adventure: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel & Lodges, Enniskillen

1. Best overall family-friendly hotel: Lusty Beg Island, County Fermanagh

Lusty Beg Island | Check availability

Our verdict

Lusty Beg Island really does have it all - from a generous indoor pool for a quick splash with the kids to evening entertainment and spacious family rooms. And the secluded setting is perfect for a quiet family break - the lakeside resort is reached by a five-minute ferry ride from Boa Island in the western county of Fermanagh.

There's plenty to do at the resort, including an adventure playground, a games room, tennis courts and over 700 acres of woodland to roam through.

You can hire bikes, go canoeing or power boating on the lake, follow nature trails, join an off-road driving expedition or relax at the spa.

There are traditional rooms for bed-and-breakfast stays and a range of cabins and lodges that are perfect for bigger groups, each kitted out with a kitchen and a terrace.

Nearest airport: City of Derry Airport (53 miles)

2. Best for active families: Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle

Slieve Donard Resort and Spa | Check availability

Our verdict

There's loads to do at the beachfront Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle - from building sandcastles, to fun-filled amusements along the promenade, and the Mourne Mountains right on your doorstep for an action-packed adventure. It gets the thumbs-up on the Mumsnet travel forums for its scenic location overlooking the Irish Sea and family-centered facilities including a swimming pool, a pub-style bistro, with relaxed child-friendly dining and family rooms. And Newcastle in County Down offers plenty for families to explore, as one Mumsnetter shares: "Newcastle has lovely places to eat, nice hotels, scenery and a lovely promenade" (NoTvNoWifi).

Nearest airport:  Belfast International Airport (41 miles)

Closest train station: Newry Station (23 miles)

3. Best family hotel in Belfast: AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast

AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"AC Marriott is also nice, hopefully it you're going mid week you can get a deal." Carelesswispalover

"There's also the AC Hotel by Marriott which is brand new and on the river just across from the SSE." Jennywren1975

Our verdict

There's so much for the family to see and do in Belfast: St George's Market, Belfast City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock, Ulster Museum (if travelling with dinosaur fans) and the Whitehead Railway Museum for young steam train enthusiasts. And the waterfront AC Hotel by Marriott Belfast provides a budget-friendly base for exploring all of the main attractions, many of which are within a 20-minute walk. Titanic Belfast is also just across the river and Belfast Zoo is a 7-minute drive away.

Family rooms are available, with two queen beds accommodating a group of four nicely, with cots available for the little ones. Children are also well catered for in the hotel's brasserie with kids' menus and highchairs available.

Nearest airport: George Best Belfast Airport (4 miles), Belfast International Airport (18 miles)

Closest train station: Lanyon Place Station (1 mile)

4. Best for luxury: Bishop's Gate Hotel, Derry

Bishop's Gate Hotel | Check availability

Our verdict

Located within the historic walls of Derry's Cathedral Quarter, the luxurious 30-room Bishop's Gate Hotel was once the home of the Northern Counties Club, a private club whose members included Sir Winston Churchill. Family rooms make it a great choice if you're  looking for premium comfort, as well as a top location – it's a 5-minute walk from the Tower Museum, and the Museum of Free Derry, a must-visit while in the area. Parking at the hotel can be tricky and costs around £15 for 24 hours.

Nearest airport: City of Derry Airport (7.5 miles)

Closest station: Londonderry train station (0.4 miles)

5. Best for large family rooms: Roe Park Resort, Limavady, Londonderry

Roe Park Resort | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"Try Roe Park Resort in Limavady it's great , nice town close to Derry city and the coast. Really reasonable, has a golf course , spa and lovely hotel." Riverbananacarrot

Our verdict

Set in Londonderry's lush Roe Valley Country Park, Roe Park Resort features some of the largest family rooms and suites we've seen. And there are interconnecting rooms available for trusted older children too. You can enjoy views of Benevenagh Mountain from many rooms, which feature flat-screen TVs for the kids' (and your) downtime.

For those with plenty of energy to burn off, there's an indoor pool for quality family time, as well as 155 acres of parkland for epic games of hide-and-seek. There are two onsite restaurants, including a casual brasserie for laidback family dining. As an added bonus, children under three stay for free, too.

Elsewhere, there are many scenic walks in the area. Don't miss a trip to the nearby Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of about 40,000 hexagonal stones. It offers free entry for all. Roe Park is a 25-minute drive from Londonderry and a 20-minute drive from Benone Beach.

Nearest airport: City of Derry Airport (7 miles)

6. Best for a beach break: The Marine Hotel Ballycastle, County Antrim

The Marine Hotel Ballycastle | Check availability 

What Mumsnet users say

"Antrim coast is gorgeous. Check out the marine hotel with bunk beds for the kids in bally castle. Stunning Such a beautiful coastal town." Radyward

Our verdict

When times call for a peaceful getaway by the beach, The Marine Hotel Ballycastle on the Causeway Coastal Route delivers on every level. This seafront retreat is a two-minute walk from a stunning stretch of sand.

Rooms here are bright and generously sized with fabulous views of the sea. Whatever the family setup, you'll be fully catered for here, with bunk beds, interconnecting rooms and beach house options, and you can even bring your dog, who will receive an adorable welcome basket of treats, a blanket and a water bowl.

Nearest airport: Campbeltown Airport (27 miles)

7. Best hotel for teens: City Hotel, Derry

City Hotel | Check availability

Our verdict

Found on the banks of the River Foyle, City Hotel ensures all families are well catered for with single, double and triple family room options to choose from - perfect if you have slightly older children that require that little bit of extra space in order to keep the peace. All rooms have free Wi-Fi.

Hotel amenities include a gym, a hot tub, a steam room and an indoor swimming pool. Thompson's Restaurant serves a seasonal menu, with plenty of child-friendly bites on offer.

It's less than a miles from the Tower Museum and a visit to the Museum of Free Derry is a must-see says Mumsnet user, RoisinD. We'd recommend a visit to the roof terrace after dinner to take in peaceful views of the city.

Nearest airport: Derry Airport (7 miles)

8. Best fun hotel for families: Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges, Enniskillen

Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges | Check availability

Our verdict

For those looking for a fun-filled family break, the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges is a great base for exploring Fermanagh Lakelands, with plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including watersports, horseback riding, and country walks.

You can request a family room or opt for a riverside woodland lodge along the banks of Lough Erne, complete with an outdoor hot tub and a fully-equipped kitchen. Whatever type of accommodation you choose, the facilities are yours to enjoy during your stay. Check out the health club to join a fitness class or a personal training session or head to the spa to enjoy the steam room, a sauna and an indoor pool. There's also a separate kids' pool. You can even request a private jetty if you're looking to spend a lot of time on the water during your stay.

Nearest airport: City of Derry Airport (62 miles)

Is Northern Ireland good for a family holiday?

Northern Ireland is a brilliant destination for a family escape. From its abundance of beautiful beaches to stunning mountains, historic attractions, museums, and endless open space and national parks to roam free in and explore. And, there's plenty of recommendations on the Mumsnet travel forums from those who have already visited.

What are the most popular family attractions in Northern Ireland?

Belfast is home to many of Northern Ireland's must-see attractions. Ulster Museum, Whitehead Railway Museum, Titanic Belfast and Belfast Zoo are all on the doorstep, making it a great choice for a family break.

For more active families, head to the Mourne Mountains, considered to be one of the most beautiful areas in Northern Ireland - there are trails for families of all walking abilities to explore. If you have younger children, there are many coastal towns where they can experience simple seaside pleasures while you press pause for a few days.

Giant's Causeway and Derry are also family hotspots worth travelling to. You can find Northern Ireland's many forest parks and some secret spots to explore in this helpful guide.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Northern Ireland?

Lusty Beg Island covers all bases to help guarantee a blissful family break, with activities galore, and plenty of places for the kids to run free. We're particularly impressed by its adventure playground, games room and surrounding woodland. Being able to take the dog too for such an affordable price is one less thing to worry about when planning a trip away. Fully-equipped lodges provide a relaxed home-from-home environment.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family hotels in Northern Ireland were being recommended.

We then did some online research, looking at what family hotels and lodges in Northern Ireland had won accolades or had been featured in 'best choice' lists, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Northern Ireland at the moment.

Why you should trust us

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