Beachside Family Holidays in Stunning Sligo
“Any day spent with you is my favourite day” – A.A Milne
Family holiday time is precious and choosing where to spend it is a decision that needs due consideration. Ideally positioned along the famous Wild Atlantic Way, the popular family run Ocean Sands Hotel in Enniscrone is a great place to enjoy picture-perfect family holidays on the West Coast of Ireland. Boasting unrivalled views of the Atlantic Ocean and with miles of sandy beach within walking distance, the hotel has been hugely popular with holidaying families for generations. The Ocean Sands is well-equipped for entertaining children of all ages and features a Kids Club, child-friendly dining options, generously proportioned family rooms and, for those requiring extra space and flexibility, 13 spacious on-site apartments. With such an abundance of features on offer, it’s not difficult to see why The Ocean Sands Hotel has grown to become one of Ireland’s best family friendly resorts.
There’s No Place Like Home
Ireland – we all know that it is quite simply the best country in the world for summer holidays (especially when the sun shines!) We think it must be the rare combination of wild beauty, incredibly friendly people and unbeatable accessibility which makes it such a special holiday destination. Throw in some good local food and quality entertainment and you have an unbeatable combination for perfect family holidays.
County Sligo has established itself as a popular family holiday destination for Irish and international visitors with very good reason. Our lovely county has much to offer the discerning visitor, not least a prime position along the Wild Atlantic Way, which includes a huge selection of walking trails, many of them suitable for families. If you would prefer to tackle a challenging hike rather than a stroll, Sligo and North Mayo also has you covered. Little legs may not be quite ready for taking on the mighty Benbulben but you will be glad to know that there are also plenty of less challenging routes and trails in the vicinity of the hotel, many of them guided.
Beach Break
Who needs a city break when you can have a beach break instead! Whether you plan to get adventurous by discovering the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way or are more than happy to keep it local by spending your days relaxing on the pristine, sandy Enniscrone Beach and enjoying the hotel facilities, The Ocean Sands Hotel is committed to providing the best possible home away from home experience for you and your family. Just 41 kilometres from Sligo City Centre, and 14km from Ballina in County Mayo, Enniscrone is a charming little town which has much to offer in its own right including a world class golf course, cafés, bars, gift shops, ice cream parlours and grocery shops.
This is Yeats Country
If you are a culture vulture you will already know that Sligo is Yeats country. Widely considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, William Butler Yeats’ work is still cited and recited all over the world in learning establishments and beyond. Nods to his rich legacy can be seen all over the Sligo landscape including in the pretty village of Drumcliffe, where he is buried. Indeed, it was that very landscape which inspired such works of genius as The Lake Isle of Inisfree, one of the most famous poems ever written, which is still much-loved today. Perhaps you will be similarly inspired on your next visit to Sligo?! William Butler Yeats own family holidayed in Enniscrone in summers past and his sister Lily Yeats’ was born in Enniscrone in the summer of 1866.
Family Fun for All
Family sun holidays may not be guaranteed here at The Ocean Sands Hotel but family fun holidays most certainly are. Our modern, shoreside hotel makes an ideal base for enjoying sunny beach days while enjoying panoramic views of the pristine Killala Bay.
The clue is in our name – The Ocean Sands Hotel is literally a stone’s throw from the stunning Enniscrone beach which boasts 5km of pristine golden sands along with endless sandcastle building possibilities. Older children and more adventurous family members can also take advantage of the full range of activities on offer there at peak visiting times, including surfing and other water-based sports and even horse-riding on the beach. Or, why not just grab a frisbee and a picnic and make your own fun? The ingredients are all here for your next perfect beach holiday on the West Coast of Ireland. Safe bathing is one of the most enjoyable pastimes in Enniscrone. With a lifeguard on duty in the summer, this allows peace of mind for all. There is a full size Pitch n Putt open daily until dark in peak season located 2 minutes’ walk from the hotel.
Kids Club
Those looking for a hotel with Kids Club will not be left disappointed at The Ocean Sands. We are delighted to offer a supervised Kids Club service for our guests during the school holidays to help give mum and dad a little time for themselves to unwind with a drink or perhaps a solo beach walk. After all, it’s your holiday too!
Pebbles is our very own on-site indoor play centre which is available to guests all year round. There, little ones can enjoy exciting activities including a climbing frame, ball pool and tube slide. They can also take part in exciting in-house activities from time to time including face painting. There is also a special children’s library for them to browse. Tiny tots will enjoy the designated toddler play area while tweens and older children are well-catered for too. They can enjoy indoor football, a pool table and a TV area.
Just adjacent to the hotel, right before you hit the beach, you will also find the Enniscrone Playground and Crazy Golf which is open to the public. Your family may also wish to visit the water park which features a 65-meter flume and water slide, separate children’s pool. Because there’s no reason why the kids should have all the fun, there’s also a health suite, indoor heated pool, sports centre and sauna and steam rooms for mum and dad to enjoy.
Catering for Guests of All Sizes
We are all about the food here at The Ocean Sands Hotel and are happy to offer delicious and tempting menus to suit even the smallest and most discerning of foodies. Both children’s and adult’s appetites are well-catered for at mealtimes while our special children’s menus have been designed with both nutrition and yumminess in mind.
Our two in-house dining options, the Ocean Bar and Restaurant and Dunes Dining Room serve up a delicious selection of meals and snacks to suit all palettes while guests staying in our apartments will also have the option of taking advantage of the fully equipped kitchen that comes as standard.
Dining options in Enniscrone include Tracey’s Café which is located right beside the beach and offers friendly service, fresh juices and delicious food. The Pilot Bar is another great family option serving up traditional pub grub and authentic pizzas in a cosy setting. For dessert Enniscrone offers some of the best Ice cream in the world at Gelati and Maple Moose.
Room(s) for Everyone
The Ocean Sands Hotel is delighted to offer a range of great value accommodation options to help meet the specific needs of your family. Spacious family rooms are available, sleeping up to two adults and three children, with travel cots also provided. Larger family groups may be interested in our on-site two and three bedroomed apartments which come equipped with a full kitchen, second bathroom and roomy lounge area which is perfect for reading and relaxation. Each apartment also has its own balcony so you won’t miss out on those spectacular views of the Atlantic. Whatever your family’s accommodation requirements, the friendly and flexible team here at The Ocean Sands Hotel will advise you on the best holiday deals and package holiday options and also offer valuable travel advice to help make your next holiday one to remember.
