Kids Love the Bunks, Family Getaway, Mountain View

This is the biggest room at Rathescar Grove, and it's built with families in mind — a king bed for the adults, bunk beds the kids will claim before you've even unpacked, and a sofa if anyone wants their own quiet corner.

There's no balcony on this room, but the window view does the job just as well: farmland, grazing cattle, and the Cooley and Mourne mountains stretched out in front of you, the kind of view that's genuinely nice to wake up to rather than just look at once.

Private ensuite, and a proper amount of floor space compared to the other two rooms — enough that you're not tripping over bags and shoes by day two.

Inside you've got a small kitchen setup — fridge, kettle, microwave, toaster — so mornings don't depend on getting everyone dressed and out the door before coffee. We stock the room with bread, milk, tea, coffee, butter and jam on arrival, which matters more with kids than it sounds like it should.

We're right off Junction 12 of the M1 in Dunleer, Co. Louth — about 15 minutes from Drogheda, roughly 40 minutes from Dublin Airport, and around 1 hour 10 from Belfast City Airport. Easy to get to, easy to get out from, which matters when you're travelling with children and luggage for four.

For days out, this is genuinely well-placed. Funtasia waterpark in Drogheda and Emerald Park in Meath are both within easy reach for a full day that'll tire the kids out properly. If anyone in the group wants something quieter, Newgrange and Monasterboice are a straightforward drive through the Boyne Valley and make for a good half-day of history without it feeling like a school trip. The Boyne Ramparts Walk and Cooley Peninsula are both nearby too if you'd rather just get outside and walk it off.

If you're part of a wedding party, we're well placed for several of the area's venues — Darver Castle and Segrave Barns in Co. Louth, and Ballymagarvey Village in Co. Meath a little further out but still within range for a weekend stay. If your family's booking around a wedding, message us — we're happy to help coordinate with any other rooms you need.

Self-check-in, no lockbox — front door unlocked 3pm–9pm daily. Arriving later, especially with tired kids? Just message us ahead of time and we'll sort key collection so nobody's standing outside. Standard checkout is 11:30am; late checkout to 2pm is available for €30 if it works with the next guest's turnover — worth asking first rather than assuming. No breakfast served, but every room comes stocked with the basics, plus your own fridge, kettle, microwave and toaster. Free WiFi and free on-site parking included. This room comfortably sleeps 4. No pets, please, and smoking stays outdoors only, away from the rooms. Quiet hours run 10pm–7am, and Rathescar Grove isn't set up for parties, hen dos or stag groups — for those, we can point you toward one of the bigger venues nearby.

It's a proper base for a family trip — enough space to not be on top of each other, and a view worth the price of admission on its own.