With its elegant, sienna-colored frontage, this welcoming hotel was built in the late 1700s and has been in business continuously since 1865. The interior retains something of a manor house feel, with rich color schemes, deep red carpeting, and antique furniture. Guestrooms are comfortable and reasonably spacious—although not all have air-conditioning, so make sure you request this when you book if it’s important to you. Some rooms overlook Waterford Quay, with its field of gently bobbing yacht masts. The hotel bar is popular with locals, and the Bianconi Restaurant offers excellent Irish and European cooking. Staff could hardly be friendlier or more helpful. You can book a relaxing (and reasonably priced) massage beauty treatment in the Therapy Room.