CIE Tours has presented its annual awards of excellence to the hoteliers and tourism experiences who achieved approval ratings of over 92% from the tens of thousands of guests who travelled with us in 2023. 

The Awards are based on detailed customer surveys and recognize our hospitality ambassadors, the people and businesses throughout the country who give the warmest of welcomes and highest-quality service to our guests.  

This year’s awards were hosted at the Dublin Royal Convention Center on February 6, 2024.

Stephen Cotter, interim managing director of CIE Tours said, “Our more than 90 years of experience gives us unrivalled expertise in coach tourism. Last year exceeded our expectations with 36,000 people traveling with us to Ireland, England, and Scotland, plus our new destinations of Iceland and Italy added in 2019.”

Launched in 1990, the Awards of Excellence recognize those hospitality ambassadors who contribute to creating exceptional experiences for CIE Tours travelers. The awards are based on post-stay feedback from nearly 25,000 guests who traveled with the company in 2023.  In total, 100 CIE Tours partners were recognized for a customer satisfaction rating of 92% or more and qualified for a Merit Award with the top score in each category receiving the Gold Award.

The Irish winners that topped their categories: 
 

• Best 5-star hotel: Dromoland Castle - Experience the epitome of luxury and history at Dromoland Castle on our Irish Heritage tour.
• Best 4-star hotel: Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa - Seamlessly blending elegance and modern comfort, Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa is a 4-star gem.
• Best 3-star hotel: The Wyatt Hotel - Nestled in the heart of Westport, The Wyatt Hotel provides a charming and comfortable stay for the Mystical Ireland and Irish Classic.
• Best Hotel Accommodation: Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa - Offering a perfect blend of grandeur and relaxation, Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa is a hotel on the Scots Irish Tour and Irish Legends. 
• Best Hotel Dinner: Cabra Castle - Enjoy a culinary delight in a majestic castle setting at Cabra Castle on the Irish Odyssey.
• Best Hotel Service & Hospitality: The Dunraven Adare - Setting the standard for warmth and excellence, The Dunraven Adare is a memorable home base on the Ireland South Daytripper.
• Best Event Dinner/Entertainment: The Crosskeys Inn - Hosting an unforgettable night of dining and music, The Crosskeys Inn is a stop on Evergreen Ireland North, Scottish & Irish Sampler, and Scots Irish Tour. 
• Special Dinner Feature: Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa - Offering a unique and delightful dining experience, Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa is a culinary destination on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland South Daytripper.
• Best Tour Feature: Marine Bar Waterford - Sit by the fire and listen to some lively music at Marine Bar Waterford on our Irish Pub Tour, Irish Gold, and Irish Classic tours. 
• Best Walking Tour: Historic Stroll Kinsale Walking Tours - Guiding visitors through the rich history of Kinsale, this walking tour is on Southern Gems and Jewels of Ireland. 
• Best Visit: Slieve League Cliffs Centre - Marvel at the stunning beauty of Europe's highest sea cliffs with Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Jewels of Ireland.
• Best Lunch: Taylors Three Rock - Take in traditional entertainment over a tasty lunch at Taylors Three Rock on Ireland South Daytripper.
• Best Sheep Dog Trial: Atlantic Sheepdogs - Witness the incredible skills of man's best friends at Atlantic Sheepdogs in Sligo on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.
• National Heritage Award: Dublin Bus DoDublin Hop On Hop Off Tour - Almost all of our tours that stop in Dublin offer the opportunity for independent exploration in Dublin on these convenient buses that visit Dublin's top highlights. 

And the Merit Winners: 

HOTEL MERIT WINNERS:

Leinster Hotel Merit Winners:

Ashling Hotel | Davenport Hotel | Herbert Park Hotel | Hilton Garden Inn Dublin City Centre | Hyatt Centric, The Liberties | Radisson Blu Royal Hotel | Maldron Hotel Pearse St | FItzpatrick Castle Hotel | Clayton Hotel Burlington Road | Academy Plaza Hotel | The Spencer | Aloft Dublin City

Munster Hotel Merit Winners:

The Brehon Killarney | Great Southern Killarney | Killarney Avenue Hotel | Killarney Plaza Hotel  | The Savoy Hotel | The River Lee Hotel | Limerick Strand Hotel 

Ulster Hotel Merit Winners:

Grand Central Hotel Belfast | Hilton Belfast | Europa Hotel
 

VISITOR ATTRACTION MERIT WINNERS:

Leinster Visit Merit Winners:

Johnstown Castle | Irish Whiskey Museum | Sullivan's Taproom | Glendalough Visitors Centre | Experience Glasnevin | Kilmainham Gaol | Teeling Whiskey Distillery | Guinness Storehouse | Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre | Croke Park GAA Museum and Skyline Tour | Dunbrody Emigrant Ship | Dublin Castle

Munster Visit Merit Winners:
Blarney Castle | Cliffs of Moher | John B. Keane's Pub | King John's Castle | Foynes Flying Boat Museum | Blasket Centre | Killarney Horse & Carriage Tours | Tangney Tours Jaunting Car | Tom Crean's South Pole Inn

Ulster Visit Merit Winners:

Giant's Causeway | Glenveagh Castle & National Park | Hillsborough Castle | Down Cathedral | Donegal Castle | St Patrick's Centre | Long Meadow Cider
 

Connaught Visit Merit Winner:

Dan O’Hara Homestead | Dún Aonghasa | Kylemore Abbey | Ballintubber Abbey | Corrib Princess Cruise | Killary Harbour Cruise

In addition, the Merit Winners from Iceland and Italy were announced: 
 

Iceland Hotels Merit Award Winners

• Fosshotel Vatnajokull
• Fosshotel Reykholt
• Hotel Selfoss
• Fosshotel Husavik
• Fosshotel Nupar
• Fosshotel Eastfjords 
• Fosshotel Reykjavik
• Sel Hotel Myvatn
   

Iceland Visits Merit Award Winners 

• Bjarteyarsandur Farm
• Blue Lagoon 
• Lava Centre
• Secret Lagoon
• Glaumbaer Farm & Museum
• Vok Baths
• Skogar Folk Museum
• Modrudalur Farm
• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
• Eldhestar Horse Farm
• Perlan Observation Deck
• Fridheimar Tomato Farm

Italy Hotels Merit Award Winners

• NH Collection Roma Vittorio Veneto
• Avani Rio Novo Venice Hotel

Italy Visits Merit Award Winners 

• Colosseum
• Accademia Gallery
• Ferro & Lazzarini Glass Factory Tour and Demonstration
• The Vatican
• San Marco Restaurant
• Finisterrae
• Orvieto Cantina Foresi Wine Tasting

Italy Partner Merit Award Winners 

• Sireontours

Congratulations to all the winners - and thanks to all the guests that made the awards possible!