Hotels are offering very good deals to Irish holidaymakers. Most hotels outside of Dublin depend on home holidaymakers to fill their rooms, and often you can get a three night/two dinner holiday for less than a meal for two in a Dublin restaurant.
Hotel prices have been extremely low, because of over supply in the Irish market. This has affected the price of guest house and B&B accommodation. All of them report a serious drop in business in 2008 as two of the main incoming markets, the USA and Britain, experience consumer confidence difficulties.
About 70% of B&Bs, and 60% of guesthouses, have seen their bed-nights - the number of overnight stays per guest - slump over the last year. This will mean better prices for the Irish holidaymaker.
Which is best? It is a good idea to mix the two as they complement the holiday experience. It is well known that Irish hotel rates have crept down to just above B&B levels and are sometimes even cheaper than a home stay.
What is less well known is that the differences between them are blurring. Many of the finer B&Bs are like country house hotels and many of the boutique hotels increasingly like B&Bs.
The Bed and Breakfast is an ideal way of sampling local hospitality and embracing modern concepts such as the desire for traceability, where local farm produce is used.
The growth of marketing brands and conglomerates has also 
helped guide the consumer through the best options.
Eoghan Corry
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Some of the best sources of information are:
Failte Ireland
1850-230330
www.discoverireland.ie
(The Discover Ireland brochure is available from district tourist offices).
1800-66866866 for bookings.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
1850-230230
www.whereni.com
Town and Country Home Association
071-922222
www.townandcountry.ie
Irish Hotels Federation
01-4976459
www.beourguest.ie published the annual Be Our Guest Guide.
Hidden Ireland
01-6627166
www.hiddenireland.com offers stays in large country houses at exceptional value.
Ireland’s Blue Book
01 6769914
www.irelands-blue-book.ie
Irish Cottage Homes Association
01-2052777
www.irishcottageholidays.com
Irish Farm Holidays Association
061-400700
www.irishfarmholidays.com
