1. Hotels outside the city centre are always going to be cheaper but that doesn’t mean you will end up spending less money. This is because your travel expenses for taxis and even public transport are going to be much higher for your trip as most of the main attractions are in the centre of the city. This is one of those factors people forget to think about, also remember that transport in some cities can be unreliable and/or expensive, and if you’re already in the city centre its one less headache.

2. Check out the area first. There are many different types of hotel in terms of the guests they cater to and the area. For example a hotel popular with stag parties and 18-30 holidaymakers is not going to be ideal for a retired couple. Remember the hotel isn’t going to list this kind of information on their website, it’s up to you to do the research.

3. The dates you book for are probably the biggest factor when it comes to price. This may not be a surprise but do you realise that rooms in cities like Newry can be 40% cheaper from Monday to Wednesday as compared to the weekend? It’s worth seeing if you can arrange your holiday for a time when everyone else is still at work. Personally I try to avoid bank holidays at all costs.

4. Free facilities can have a big impact on price. Often free extras like an onsite gym and car parking can seem like a good idea when searching for a hotel but often they will be factored into the final room rate anyway. It’s more cost effective to book a cheaper hotel then pay for these extras when you need them in my opinion.

5. Reviews from real people are invaluable. I love review sites like tripadvisor because they can give you a real insight into what people think about the hotel. However you still have to be careful, there are some fake reviews out there. A good rule of thumb is to look at hotels with a lot of reviews (100s) and try to get an overall view of what people are saying. When you’re looking at 100s of reviews they can’t all be fake or be just one customer trying to cause trouble.

So those are my top tips for finding that idea hotel and I really do believe they will be helpful no-matter what city you’re staying in. Until next time.

I do have to mention that Warrenpoint isn’t exactly packed with tourist attractions but its main attraction is its many bars and restaurants. In my opinion its offers a much better level of nightlife than Newry, indeed there are many Newry residents who come to Warrenpoint for a night out. A few of the main bars are:

• The Marine Tavern
• Jack Ryans
• The Balmoral
• Shenanigans pub

The Marine is mainly a disco and caters to a younger crowd while the other bars/pubs will be more diverse. Also one big attraction of the pubs is the live music as there are many great bands playing around the Warrenpoint area, there will be everything from Traditional Irish folk to rock music, so there should be something for everyone.

As mentioned one of the main benefits of the town is the smaller size so you’re not going to have any problems getting back to your hotel. However it isn’t all nightlife as I mentioned in my last post the town has some great views of Carlingford Lough. While it may be too cold for some there are water sports activities available in the summer through east coast adventure, they provide activities like wind-surfing, banana boating and canoeing for the more adventurous tourist.

So that’s it for things to do in Warrenpoint, as you can see it really is a great alternative for anyone who is coming to the Newry area.

One of the most popular Newry hotels is the Canal court hotel which is also the largest hotel in Newry so it attracts a wide range of visitors from home and abroad. One of the best things about the hotel is the location as it is right in the heart of the city with great links to all the best shops and bars. I feel that location is something people don’t often think about when they book a hotel in a strange city as it can make a big difference to your whole experience.

One thing many people looking for Newry hotels may not consider is staying in a hotel outside the city in one of the smaller towns. One option would be the small town of Warrenpoint which is just a 10 minute drive down the duel carriageway from Newry. Warrenpoint has a great nightlife scene with almost as many bars as Newry which is a real bonus. Also the town has great sea views over Carlingford lough which offers picture postcard sunsets famous around the Mournes. Apart from the factors above the main factor with Warrenpoint hotels is the price as you can expect a reasonable discount compared to a Newry hotel.

So that’s my quick update for any of you who are looking for a hotel near Newry anytime soon, be sure to check back soon for some more great hotel advice.

Francis Court is one of the best Hotels in Newry and at a very reasonable price, twin rooms staring from £70 and this includes entry to the Nightclub and bar downstairs. Lets not forget the helpful and friendly staff in the bargain.  There is many wonderful places to dine just a short walk away like the Blue Print Pizza of the Quayside inn.  Newry has so much to offer whether it’s just a short stay or long term so why not indulge in the luxuries available here.

Shopping not only needed for essentials but can be a fantastic Family or couple day out with everything catered for, treat your self to that something special or treat someone special then sit down to one of the  many Restaurants and then why not visit one of the state of the art cinema in Ireland. Even have that hair-do you always wanted at Peter Marks.   Only thing Newry cant offer is unpredictable weather Ireland brings us so they have even sorted that out.  If the weather was to hold up just a short walk from these shopping centres is Hill street and Monaghan Street which can also cater for everything you probably couldn’t think off, from Hardware to Bedding stores.  Hill street offers many designer clothes shops and ladies fashion boutiques.

Need somewhere to Stay?  The Canal Court Hotel in newry, is a magnificent 4 star hotel again based in the city centre offers more than an overnight accommodation.  The Canal Court Hotel has one of the finest restaurants Ireland has to offer at a very reasonable price, caters for everyone from the young to the elderly.  With an extensive leisure & health suite complex Canal Court offers excellent facilities from Business need to a family or romantic Break.  With accommodation of over 110 rooms these range from  single and double rooms, from executive to superior suites on offer all at a very reasonable price.  If its a conference you require for business or a seminar Canal Court can meet all your criteria with emphasis on hospitality.

Thinking of getting married?  Canal Court has one of the highest reputation for hosting weddings, with highly trained staff and management team they can make your big day pass without any fuss.  With Red carpet to Personalised menus why not make this the wedding of your dreams.  Newry must be the place to visit.