Stunning Irish Castle is one of the best hotels in the world for a winter getaway

A Co Mayo hotel has been named one of the best in world for a winter break by a leading travel website.

Ireland is famously a beautiful country all year round but if you are lucky enough to be there when the stunning scenery is covered with a blanket of snow, it can be truly magical.

While there is no guarantee of the weather, of course, it is most likely to be snowing during the wintertime.

So, its great to see an Irish hotel getting the recognition it deserves for such an occasion.

Big 7 has a reputation for creating lists of must visit countries, cities, locations, restaurants, and things to do for a variety different type of holidays.

In this list they have focused on winter holidays – and specifically where is a great place to stay.

Ireland’s Ashford Castle, in Cong, Co Mayo, found itself on the list in a respectable ninth position.

Big 7 said: “This 800-year-old castle was the former home of the Guinness family, but now it’s a luxury hotel that promises to fulfil all of your Downtown dreams.

“If you make the trip at Christmas, you’ll get to enjoy Christmas Eve dinner in the George V Dining Room, a Christmas morning cruise on Lough Corrib with traditional music and hot whiskey, wine tasting in the cellar, whiskey tasting in the billiards room and activities such as archery and falconry across the estate. La-di-da!”

Ashford Castle is no stranger to critical acclaim or ‘best of’ lists. It has been named the world’s finest luxury hotel.

It was reopened by the Taoiseach following a €47m makeover in 2015.

Top ten hotels in the world for a winter break

1 – Treehotel, Sweden
2 – Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
3 – Hotel de Glace, Queben City, Canada
4 – Timberline Lodge, Oregon, United States
5 – Hotel Arctic, Greenland
6 – Sorrisniva Ice Hotel, Alta, Norway
7 – Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad, Switzerland
8 – Corinthia Hotel, Budapest, Hungary
9 – Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
10 – The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa, Gulmarg, India

For more information, visit the Ashford Castle website.

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