Hayfield Manor

Ivy covers the façade of this grand, family-owned manor hotel just outside Cork city, and the interior follows through: crackling fireplaces, antique furnishings, wood paneling, and chandeliers that make the whole thing feel like a country house that never quite became a museum. Rooms come with deep-soaking tubs and garden views. There's a spa with a heated pool, plus dining that runs from fine to casual, so you're not trapped in black-tie every evening.

Two honors, in evidence: