Best Hotels in Bray: Where to Stay in Wicklow's Coolest Seaside Town

May 25

Just 30 minutes from Dublin city centre, Bray is one of the easiest and most rewarding short breaks on Ireland's east coast. A Victorian seafront promenade, the dramatic backdrop of Bray Head, an excellent food and drink scene, and the wider Wicklow countryside on the doorstep — it's no surprise more visitors are choosing to stay overnight rather than just pass through. If you're trying to figure out where to stay, this guide rounds up the best hotels in Bray, including the two Born in Bray properties — The Martello on the seafront and Firefly in the town centre — and helps you choose the right one for your trip.

Why Stay in Bray, Co. Wicklow?

Bray sits in a sweet spot. It's close enough to Dublin that you can pop into the city in 30–35 minutes by DART, but far enough away to feel like a genuine getaway. The town has a proper seaside character — a long promenade, a wide stony beach, sea views in every direction — and it's also the natural gateway to the Wicklow Mountains, Powerscourt, Glendalough, and the rest of the Garden of Ireland.

Add to that a food and drink scene that has quietly become one of the best on the east coast, and Bray makes a fantastic base for a weekend away. Whether you're after a lively seafront stay with live music downstairs, or a quiet, modern room you can let yourself into at any hour, there's a Bray hotel that fits.

1. The Martello Hotel — Best for a Lively Seafront Stay

Location: Strand Road, Bray Seafront, Co. Wicklow

Website: themartello.ie

If you want to wake up to the sound of the Irish Sea and step straight onto the promenade, The Martello is the obvious choice. Set right on Bray Esplanade, opposite the iconic bandstand and at the foot of Bray Head, it's one of the few hotels in Bray with a genuine seafront address — sea views from many rooms, the Cliff Walk a few minutes' stroll away, and the beach literally across the road.

The Martello has 30 en-suite hotel bedrooms, finished in a contemporary style, plus 17 self-catering apartments that are ideal for families or longer stays (each sleeping up to four people, with a bedroom plus pull-down beds in the main living area). All hotel rooms include a private bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee facilities.

What sets The Martello apart, though, is the building itself — it isn't just a place to sleep. Downstairs you've got a buzzing gastropub serving breakfast from 8am daily and gastropub-style food into the evening, live music at weekends, and Koo nightclub upstairs every Friday, Saturday and bank holiday Sunday until 2.30am. It's a great fit for groups, couples in for a celebration, hen and stag parties, or anyone who wants the whole night out under one roof. Worth noting: if you'd prefer a quieter stay, the weekend nightlife is part of the experience here, so it may not be the best match for a low-key spa-style break.

Best for:

Sea views and seafront access
Groups, hen/stag parties, and celebration weekends
Guests who want food, drinks, and live music on-site
Families or longer stays (self-catering apartments available)
Easy walking access to the DART station and Bray Head Cliff Walk

2. Firefly — Best for a Modern, Hassle-Free Stay

Location: 114 Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow (Firefly Carroll's). A second location, Firefly Cleary's at 2 Main Street, is opening Spring/Summer 2026.

Website: fireflybray.ie

Firefly opened in 2020 as the first automatic hotel of its kind in Ireland — a completely self-service, self-check-in concept right in the heart of Bray's Main Street. There's no reception desk, no queue for keys, no waiting around. You get your access code by text on the day of arrival, let yourself in whenever suits, and check out by simply dropping the key back as you leave.

For travellers who value independence, late arrivals, and a clean, modern room without the hotel-lobby fuss, Firefly is genuinely one of the most interesting places to stay in Bray. The 18 rooms are stylishly designed, with everything you'd want — comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, walk-in showers, tea and coffee facilities, and air conditioning. Guests on Booking.com have rated the beds and location particularly highly.

Location-wise, Firefly is bang in the centre of Bray, less than 10 minutes' walk from the seafront and only a few minutes from Bray DART station. That makes it perfect for a no-faff overnight stay if you're heading to a concert, a wedding nearby, or out exploring Wicklow for the day. It's also a great base for corporate travellers — 35 minutes from Dublin Airport, under 10 from the M50, fast Wi-Fi throughout.

Best for:

Solo travellers, couples, and small groups who want privacy and independence
Late check-ins and early check-outs without staff hassle
Modern, design-led rooms with all the essentials
Corporate trips and Dublin Airport stopovers
Anyone who'd rather skip a hotel lobby and just get on with their stay

The Martello vs. Firefly: Which Is Right for You?

Both hotels are part of the Born in Bray family, but they serve very different kinds of trips. Here's the quick decision framework:

Choose The Martello if you want sea views, a lively atmosphere, food and drink downstairs, and a hotel where the night out is built in. Best for celebrations, social weekends, and groups.

Choose Firefly if you want a modern, quiet, self-service room in the centre of town, with no on-site staff and total flexibility on arrival times. Best for couples, business travellers, and anyone wanting a peaceful base in Bray.

Top tip for guests staying at Firefly: take the short walk down to The Martello for breakfast — it's served from 8am every day and is locally famous. Mention you're staying at Firefly and the coffee's on the house.

Other Notable Hotels in Bray

While The Martello and Firefly cover the two main needs most visitors have — seafront stays and modern self-service rooms in town — Bray has a handful of other hotels worth knowing about depending on your priorities. Wilton Hotel Bray and The Royal Hotel are larger town-centre options, the latter with a leisure centre and pool. The Strand Hotel, in the former home of Oscar Wilde, is a smaller boutique stay near the seafront. The Esplanade Hotel sits along the prom and offers another seafront option. For a spa-style countryside escape just outside Bray, Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry is the area's five-star destination.

Things to Do During Your Stay in Bray

Wherever you stay, Bray makes it easy to fill a weekend. For the full picture, see our complete guide to things to do in Bray, Co. Wicklow. A few essentials to plan around:

Walk the Bray Seafront Promenade and climb (or stroll) up to the cross on Bray Head for one of the best coastal views in Leinster.
Do the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk — about 7km one way, hugging the coastline, and you can hop back on the DART from Greystones.
Visit the National Sea Life Centre right on the seafront, ideal if you're travelling with kids.
Take a short drive into Wicklow — Powerscourt Estate, Glendalough, and Killruddery House are all within 20–30 minutes.
Catch live music at The Harbour Bar, voted one of the best-loved pubs in the world by Lonely Planet — see our full guide to the best pubs in Bray for more.

Where to Eat and Drink During Your Stay

One of the best things about staying in Bray is how walkable the food and drink scene is. Most of the standout venues are within easy walking distance of both hotels. For the full picture, our guide to Bray seafront restaurants covers every spot along the prom. A few you shouldn't miss:

Platform Pizza Bar on Strand Road for wood-fired pizza and cocktails right by the seafront — widely considered the best pizza in Bray.

The Martello Hotel for gastropub classics, weekend brunch, and live music in the evenings.

Conlon's Wine Bar on Brennan's Parade for a quieter glass of wine and small plates.

The Harbour Bar for a proper pint, trad sessions, and live bands on the Live Lounge stage.

For more ideas, see our full guides to the best food in Bray and the best pubs in Bray on the Born in Bray blog.

Getting to Bray From Dublin

Getting to Bray couldn't be easier. The DART runs directly from Connolly, Tara Street, and Pearse stations to Bray Daly station in around 30–35 minutes, with frequent services throughout the day. Both The Martello and Firefly are within easy walking distance of the station — Firefly is about 5 minutes' walk, The Martello around 8.

By car, take the N11/M11 south from Dublin. From Dublin Airport, Bray is around 35 minutes via the M50 and M11, making both hotels a strong option if you've got an early or late flight and want to avoid city-centre traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hotels in Bray

What is the best hotel in Bray?

The best hotel in Bray depends on what kind of stay you're after. For a seafront location with sea views, on-site food and drink, and a lively atmosphere, The Martello Hotel is the standout choice. For a modern, self-service stay in the heart of Bray town, Firefly is hard to beat.

Are there hotels on Bray seafront?

Yes. The Martello Hotel is located directly on Bray Esplanade, opposite the bandstand, with sea views and immediate access to the promenade and Bray Head. The Esplanade Hotel and The Strand Hotel are also located close to the seafront.

How far is Bray from Dublin?

Bray is around 30–35 minutes from Dublin city centre by DART, and roughly the same by car via the N11/M11. From Dublin Airport, it's about 35 minutes by road via the M50 and M11.

Where should I stay in Bray for a weekend?

For a social weekend with food, drinks, and live music built in, The Martello Hotel is the go-to. For a quieter, more independent stay in the centre of town, Firefly offers modern self-check-in rooms just a few minutes from the seafront.

Are there family-friendly hotels in Bray?

Yes. The Martello Hotel offers self-catering apartments that sleep up to four people, making it a strong option for families. The Royal Hotel also has family rooms and a leisure centre with a pool.

Is Bray a good base for exploring Wicklow?

Absolutely. Bray is one of the best bases for exploring Wicklow — Powerscourt, Glendalough, and Killruddery are all within a short drive, and you've got the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk on the doorstep. Plus, the DART makes day trips into Dublin equally easy.

Plan Your Stay in Bray

Whether you're after a seafront weekend at The Martello or a hassle-free overnight at Firefly, both hotels make a brilliant base for exploring Bray, the Wicklow coast, and the wider Garden of Ireland.

Grace O'Donnell