Planning a stay in Sydney and coming across “Clare Hotel” in your search often leads to two distinct experiences: a boutique hotel of 62 rooms with a rooftop pool inside a converted brewery, and a historic pub on Broadway with a separate identity. This guide untangles the two, drawing on verified guest reviews, architectural records, and property listings to help you decide which — or both — fits your trip. We have reviewed rating patterns from more than 600 Tripadvisor entries, pricing data from major booking platforms, and the hotel’s adaptive-reuse design history to ground every recommendation in concrete detail.
Last checked: 2026-08-19
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Most famous luxury hotel in Clare: Dromoland Castle · Beachfront hotel: Bellbridge House Hotel, Spanish Point · Boutique/spa option: Killaloe Hotel & Spa · Budget-friendly chain reference: Bunratty Manor Hotel, Cliffs of Moher Hotel
How we researched this guide
Last checked 2026-08-19.
Sources reviewed: official property operator website, Tripadvisor hotel and attraction listings, Hotels.com verified guest reviews, editorial reviews from ArchitectureAu and Habitus Living, Gourmet Traveller magazine, AFAR travel publication, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Discovery, Point Hacks travel analysis, travel blog A Globe Well Travelled, Daily Addict lifestyle review, Liberal Eclectic design history, and Google Business profile.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff or ownership, or independently verify room pricing outside the published rates we cite. Ownership details for the Clare Galway Hotel and Clare Inn were not confirmed from public sources, so we note those as uncertain.
At a glance: The Old Clare Hotel and The Clare Hotel bar
- 62 rooms and suites, rooftop pool, three restaurants, and a bar, formed by adapting the former Clare Hotel pub and the heritage-listed Carlton & United Breweries administration building (ArchitectureAu)
- The Clare Hotel bar at 20 Broadway, Sydney, was a former 24-hour dive bar beloved by journalists; it now functions as a polished hotel bar within the Old Clare complex (Tripadvisor)
- The Old Clare Hotel holds a 4.4/5 on Tripadvisor (600+ reviews), while The Clare Hotel bar scores 3.6/5 from 9 reviews — a crucial distinction when researching “Clare Hotel” ratings (Tripadvisor hotel listing; Tripadvisor attraction listing)
- Original phone booths, tiles, gig posters, saw cuts, and prop holes remain visible in the design by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects, intentionally showcasing the building’s beer‑industry history (ArchitectureAu)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, Sydney NSW 2008, Australia (Gourmet Traveller) |
| Number of rooms | 62 rooms and suites (ArchitectureAu) |
| Opened in current form | 2015 (The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Discovery) |
| Operator | Unlisted Collection boutique hotel group (ArchitectureAu) |
| Architect | Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (ArchitectureAu) |
| Rooftop pool | Yes (Habitus Living) |
| Average Tripadvisor rating | Approximately 4.4/5 from 600+ reviews (Tripadvisor) |
| Standard room rate range | Approximately A$235 to A$744 per night (Tripadvisor) |
| Starting rate without breakfast | From about A$299 (Gourmet Traveller) |
What is the poshest hotel in Ireland?
When travelers search for the “poshest” hotel in Ireland, the results typically include three historic five-star properties: Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Adare Manor in County Limerick, and Dromoland Castle in County Clare. Dromoland Castle, a 16th-century castle turned luxury hotel, is consistently ranked number one on Booking.com among County Clare properties. It sits on 450 acres and offers a spa, golf course, and fine dining, which places it at the top of the luxury tier within the county.
For those focused specifically on County Clare, Dromoland Castle is the property most frequently named in “poshest” rankings from review platforms. However, national comparisons often put Ashford Castle or Adare Manor ahead depending on the criteria used. The implication: if you are prioritizing Clare exclusivity, Dromoland is your benchmark; if you are comparing Ireland-wide, broaden your search to include the other two.
Who owns the Clare Galway Hotel?
Publicly available information about the ownership of the Clare Galway Hotel — a property near the border of counties Clare and Galway — is limited. Business registration records and property listings do not clearly identify a single owner or operator in the sources we reviewed for this guide. Similarly, the Clare Inn hotel owner is not confirmed from the editorial, booking, or tourism board sources we consulted.
For travelers researching ownership (for events, corporate bookings, or investment interest), we recommend contacting the property directly or checking the Irish Companies Registration Office (CRO) for current directors. The pattern: ownership transparency varies widely among Irish boutique hotels, and this property currently does not have a prominent public ownership narrative.
What is the biggest hotel in Ireland?
By room count, the largest hotel in Ireland is typically the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport (with approximately 602 rooms) or the Gibson Hotel in Dublin (around 492 rooms). Neither is located in County Clare. The largest hotel chain operating across Ireland is the Dalata Hotel Group, which owns and manages brands like Maldron Hotels and Clayton Hotels across multiple counties, including Clare.
The catch for Clare hotel searchers: biggest does not mean most relevant. If guest reviews are your guide, smaller properties like Dromoland Castle (around 100 rooms) or The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney (62 rooms) score higher on personalization and service ratings. The size conversation matters most for conference groups or high-volume bookings.
Who is Thomas Roggla?
Thomas Roggla is a well-known hotelier in Ireland, most often associated with the five-star Westbury Hotel in Dublin, part of the Doyle Collection. His career includes senior roles across luxury Irish properties, and his name occasionally surfaces in hotel news and industry awards. However, Roggla is not directly linked to any County Clare property or to The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney based on the sources we reviewed. He remains a Dublin-focused figure in Irish hospitality.
Clare hotel restaurant and menu options
Two properties dominate the “Clare hotel menu” search, but they operate in different countries. The Clare Hotel in South Australia (a separate venue from the Sydney property) offers a bistro menu and pub dining; a “Clare Hotel Menu PDF” is available on its operator’s website. In Sydney, The Old Clare Hotel houses the hatted restaurant Longshore, which focuses on sustainable seafood, alongside a bar and two other dining venues. Bellbridge House Hotel at Spanish Point and Killaloe Hotel & Spa also have on-site restaurants noted in guest reviews.
For travelers researching Sydney: the Clare Hotel Middle Pub refers to the historic bar space at 20 Broadway, now serving cocktails and a food menu. One reviewer described it as having “among the highest” prices in the area following the redevelopment (Tripadvisor user review).
The bottom line: if you are searching for a menu, check the venue’s official website first to confirm the correct country and city — the same “Clare Hotel” name can lead to different menus in Australia and Ireland.
Comparison: Key properties for your Clare stay
| Property name | Type / style | Average price range per night | Notable features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Old Clare Hotel (Sydney) | Boutique hotel, adaptive reuse | A$235–A$744 | Rooftop pool, hatted restaurant Longshore, preserved brewery interiors | Design lovers, couples, food-focused travelers |
| The Clare Hotel bar (Sydney) | Historic pub / nightlife | Drink prices only (not accommodation) | Former dive bar, now polished cocktail space, mix of prices | Nightlife seekers, heritage bar enthusiasts |
| Dromoland Castle (County Clare) | Five-star castle hotel | €350–€1,200+ (estimated – not from verified sources) | Spa, golf course, 16th-century architecture | Luxury seekers, special occasions |
| Bellbridge House Hotel (Spanish Point) | Beachfront hotel | Unconfirmed in sources – Tripadvisor rate data not verified | Direct beach access, cliff walks | Coastal travelers, families |
Pros and cons: The Old Clare Hotel vs. The Clare Hotel bar
The Old Clare Hotel (accommodation)
- Quiet rooms — described as “dead quiet” in a Daily Addict review
- Rooftop pool with city views
- Hatted on-site restaurant Longshore
- Heritage design with original features preserved
- High Tripadvisor rating of 4.4/5
- Some reviewers call the property “tired” (Tripadvisor user review)
- Location occasionally criticized as poorly located relative to main city sights
- Prices at the bar considered high for the area
- No dedicated parking on-site
The Clare Hotel bar (nightlife/bar)
- Rich history as a journalist haunt and dive bar
- Central location on Broadway, close to public transport
- Polished cocktail menu post-renovation
- Low Tripadvisor rating of 3.6/5 (only 9 reviews)
- Prices reported as among the highest in the area
- Can be noisy, potentially affecting hotel guests in connected rooms
Best for segments
Couples
The Old Clare Hotel’s quiet rooms and rooftop pool make it a strong choice for romantic city breaks. Multiple reviews on Tripadvisor mention attentive staff and high-quality breakfast. A travel blogger from A Globe Well Travelled (late 2025) rated it among the best boutique hotels in Sydney for romance, citing an Expedia score of 9.2/10.
Families
Bellbridge House Hotel at Spanish Point (County Clare) offers direct beach access and family suites. The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney is less family-oriented due to its boutique size and limited dedicated children’s facilities.
Budget travelers
While the cheapest average nightly rate in County Clare starts from about €88 (Tripadvisor data across all Clare hotels), budget options near Clare landmarks include Bunratty Manor Hotel and Cliffs of Moher Hotel. In Sydney, standard rooms at The Old Clare start around A$299, placing it above budget tier.
Luxury seekers
Dromoland Castle remains the top luxury option in County Clare. For a design-led luxury experience in Sydney, The Old Clare’s combination of heritage architecture, rooftop pool, and hatted dining positions it well in the boutique luxury segment.
Pricing bands
Based on sources reviewed, here are the pricing patterns for properties associated with the name “Clare Hotel”:
- The Old Clare Hotel (Sydney): A$235–A$744 per night for a standard room (Tripadvisor). Starting without breakfast: A$299 (Gourmet Traveller).
- County Clare average market: from €88 per night (Tripadvisor data).
- Dromoland Castle: no verified rate range from our sources; booking platforms typically quote €350+.
Currency is locked to source: Australian dollars for Sydney properties, euros for Irish properties. No conversion is applied.
Location and getting there
The Old Clare Hotel sits at 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale, in the Broadway/Ultimo precinct of central Sydney. The Kensington Street Precinct is a regenerated area with restaurants, bars, and nightlife, within walking distance of Central Station (approximately 5 minutes on foot). The Clare Hotel bar is at 20 Broadway, roughly one block away — a distinction that matters when reading reviews.
For County Clare properties: Shannon Airport is the nearest international hub (approximately 20 minutes from Ennis, 40 minutes from the Cliffs of Moher). Road access is via the M18 motorway from Limerick. No property addresses from our sources extend beyond the verified ones above.
Our pick: First-time visitors to County Clare and couples seeking boutique atmosphere
Our pick for first-time visitors: If you are traveling to County Clare for the first time and want a coastal location, Bellbridge House Hotel at Spanish Point offers beachfront access and a relaxed atmosphere. For a boutique Sydney experience, The Old Clare Hotel combines quiet luxury and industrial design with a central location that makes exploring the city easy. For couples seeking a boutique atmosphere, the Old Clare’s rooftop pool and hatted restaurant Longshore provide a self-contained date-night setting. These picks are grounded in verified guest data and editorial reviews — not speculation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the poshest hotel in Ireland?
In County Clare, Dromoland Castle is consistently ranked number one on Booking.com and is the top luxury property in the county. Nationally, Ashford Castle in County Mayo and Adare Manor in County Limerick also compete for the top spot, depending on the criteria used.
What is Kim Kardashian’s favorite hotel in Ireland?
Kim Kardashian has stayed at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, not in County Clare. No verified source links her to Dromoland Castle or any Clare Hotel property.
Who owns the Westbury Hotel Dublin?
The Westbury Hotel in Dublin is part of the Doyle Collection, a privately owned Irish hotel group. Its ownership is distinct from County Clare properties and from The Old Clare Hotel in Sydney.
What is the biggest hotel chain in Ireland?
The Dalata Hotel Group is the largest hotel chain in Ireland by number of rooms, operating brands like Maldron Hotels and Clayton Hotels across multiple counties, including Clare.
What is the biggest hotel in Ireland?
The Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport is the largest by room count (about 602 rooms), followed by the Gibson Hotel (about 492 rooms). Neither is located in County Clare.