Now a new breed of design-led, stylish hotels are leading the way and, refreshingly, they're not all concentrated in the capital but are scattered around the country.

Claire O'Mahony selects some of her favourites.

The Fashionista's Favourite
The g hotel Wellpark, Galway, Co. Galway.
Tel 046 9030900 www. theghotel. ie

It would take a seriously jaded individual not to be impressed by the utter lavishness here.

Famously designed by milliner Philip Treacy, it's a study in outre glamour, from the tank of seahorses (Connemara-bred don't you know? ) to the Swarovski-crystal adorned cocktail bar. The Pink Salon, with its lurid pink walls and black and white vortex carpet is so full-on that it may bring on the swirlies, while the more masculine Blue Room is a bit more restful but no less opulent. The rooms, of which there are 101, are a lot more restrained but no less luxurious. Treacy took his design inspiration from the landscapes and sea shores of Galway and the linen is by Frette. Make sure you visit the ESPA spa . . . all stone, wood and glass . . . and the afternoon teas here are legendary.

The Rural Retreat Bellinter House Navan, Co Meath.
Tel 046 9030900 www. bellinterhouse. com

For those who like the idea of spending some time in an Irish country home without missing out on any of the comforts that an urban retreat might offer, Bellinter is the perfect solution. This restored Palladian mansion has 34 bedrooms with ridiculously comfy massive beds and a very impressive spa area, the Bathrooms where seaweed treatments are a specialty, as well as an indoor infinity pool. Foodwise, there's Eden, a sister restaurant to the popular Temple Bar establishment and a wine vault with an extensive selection. Only an hour from Dublin, the country walks here are lovely or alternatively, you could really get into the whole country house thing and do a spot of trout fishing, with help from a local ghillie. Wind down with a cocktail and a game of billiards in the games room.

The D4 5-Star The Dylan Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4.
Tel 01 6603000 www. dylan. ie

The capital's beautiful people quickly adopted this five-star when it opened last year and they've yet to tire of it . . .just try getting a seat in the cocktail bar on a Friday night. The Dylan is quite unlike any other hotel in Dublin but where to begin style wise? It takes no prisoners with Murano glass chandeliers, red studded leather walls, sumptuous couches and a pewter bar. The rooms are swish, with plasma screen TVs, customized beds and Etro smellies. Still, the hotel's restaurant, has quickly established itself as a foodie's heaven, focusing on modern, delicate, Irish food. Do have an apple martini from the excellent cocktail menu. They're divine.

The Lakeside Lodge Lisloughrey Lodge Cong, Co Mayo
Tel 094 9545 400 www. lisloughrey. ie

Move over Ashford Castle because a new hotel is putting Cong, Co Mayo on the map.

Lisloughrey Lodge is a country style house on a lakeside setting and it oozes charm and luxury. There are 50 bedrooms and suites at the Lodge, which are set in the Courtyard and linked to the main house and L'Occitane bathroom goodies, underfloor heating and goose down duvets and pillows form an integral part of the experience. A resident therapist is one hand for facials, massages, manicures, pedicures etc and the restaurant, which is situated on the entire first floor of the original house, has some stunning views out onto the pier and the lake. Cong is only 50km from Galway, should you fancy popping into the city for some shopping and golf, fishing, lake cruising and walks are just some of the attractions locally.

The Glam Golfer's Getaway Seafield Hotel Ballymoney, Gorey, Co Wexford
Tel (0)53 9424000 www. seafieldhotel. com
The latest addition to Ireland's hotel scene impresses from the outset as you enter a lobby adorned with limestone and black Venetian plasterwork, Roberto Cavalli furniture and chandeliers. With its two heli-pads, 18-course championship golf course designed by Peter McEvoy and its extremely impressive Ocea Spa, it's a haven for hip golfers, and their non-golf playing partners will also find plenty to do. The spa has a thermal suite and outdoor vitality pool but the piece de resistance is the 16-metre hydrotherapy pool which is lined with thousands of tiny mosaic leaf tiles, illuminated by fibre optic lighting. In terms of the rooms themselves, there are 102 bedrooms, 3 executive suites and 64 two and three bed courtyard accommodation.

This is contemporary luxury at its best.

The Luxury Boutique The Ross Killarney, Co Kerry. Tel 064 31855 www. theross. ie

While Killarney has no shortage of first rate hotels, it hadn't thus far done the whole quirky, boutique thing, which the Ross does to such great effect. The Pink Lounge is an assault on the sense, albeit in a very good way, and leads onto the Lane Cafe Bar, which has become a favourite meeting point with the trendy Killarney set. Naturally, there's a killer cocktail menu but the bar food here is excellent too (try the Kerry Bay seafood chowder). For more formal dining, there's the Cellar One restaurant where typical main courses are tequila prawn and firecracker rice or chargrilled fillet of Kerry beef on a smoked bacon and spring onion galette. The 30 rooms are cosy and stylish, with lots of velvet throws and cushions and as the Ross is bang in the centre of Killarney town, it's good to know that you're never far from your extremely comfortable bed.

There's no spa but you can book treatments at sister hotel, the Killarney Park, which is just across the road.

The Home from Home The House Hotel, Spanish Parade, Galway, Co Galway.
Tel: 091 538900 www. thehousehotel. ie

As locations in Galway go, it doesn't get much better than this 40-bedroomed hotel. It's a literal 30 seconds from Shop Street and Quay Street, where you'll find the best pubs, shops and craic. From the moment you cross over the threshold, the staff can't enough for you and there isn't a 'check in' desk per se . . . it's more of a table situated in the middle of the lobby, which adds to the laid back feel. Rooms come in three types . . . comfy, classy and swanky . . . and all come with free broadband, flat screen TVs and a music library of 3,000 CDs The decor is eclectic, with original pieces of art positioned around the hotel and the bathrooms are really lovely too with Penhaligons of London toiletries. It's these little details that make us happy.

Check out the Galway Bay Oysters Sashimi in the Parlour Bar and Grill and although the House doesn't have a spa onsite, treatments can be booked at the Absolute Spa which is five minutes away.

The Modern Medieval The Pembroke Patrick Street, Kilkenny.

Tel: 1850 211549 www. pembrokekilkenny. com

The sense of history is palpable in Kilkenny City but the Pembroke is vey much 21st century. Chic, intimate and right in the city centre, it's ticking all the right boxes. Sister hotel to the Kilkenny Ormonde, which is two minutes walk away, guests at the Pembroke can avail of the leisure facilities there, including the gym, 21-metre pool and Sanctuary Massage and Beauty Clinic. There are 75 rooms here and try and book a Castle View room, which look out onto Kilkenny Castle.

The hotel's bar, DT's, has the most comfortable of leather couches and the staff here is unfailingly helpful and nice.