10 short break trends for 2024 – from group getaways to Japanese-style toilets and botanical bling

1. Group getaways

Special occasions. Stags and hens. Friend reunions. Multi-generational breaks bringing kids, parents and grandparents together. Group getaways have gone up a gear since the pandemic, and new options keep springing up. From Dromoland Castle’s first lodge to group suites at The Heritage in Co Laois, a self-catering Sea Barn in Co Sligo and a €12,000-a-week villa in Dublin, groups have never had it so good.

2. Town centre transformations

Main streets can be dotted with derelict properties — a legacy of changing lifestyles and demographics. But some small stays are taking creative approaches. The Tailor Shop reimagines a former drapery in Skibbereen, Within the Village in Roundstone flips three former townhouses (and the old Connolly’s pub) into sensitive new self-catering stays, while Key 73’s rentals include pubs in Killorglin and Abbeyfeale rebooted as fun group stays. It’s a whole new meaning to ‘living above the shop’.

3. Minimum stays

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They’re here to stay. Particularly in peak seasons, minimum stays of two, three or even four nights are commonplace, allowing owners to control bookings and save on expensive turnover and cleaning costs. On the plus side, many hotels now offer discounts for guests booking multiple nights, including The Shelbourne and The Leinster in Dublin, and The James in Tralee.

4. Thoughtful tech

Forget showy TVs or light settings nobody can understand. Thoughtful tech adds meaningfully to a stay without spoiling the atmosphere. At Balance Treehouse in Co Armagh, you can ask Alexa to lower the movie screen. Guests can communicate with staff via WhatsApp at Dublin’s Number 59, there’s cosy underfloor heating in the three-room Fastnet Hotel, and you can avail of a “digital concierge” and keyless rooms at The Leinster. By the way, it also has Japanese-style Toto toilets…

5. Rewilding

Regenerative tourism helps communities and the environment build back better. There are multiple ways to do that — one is simply by replanting native species. At Enniskeen in Co Down, the focus is on peat boglands and native trees, while in west Cork, Goleen Harbour has planted 12,000 native trees.

6. Projectors

To TV or not TV? One solution is the subtle movie projector — a device that doesn’t have to take over a wall and which can add atmosphere and intentionality to late-night movies or downtime. There’s a home-movie experience in E Gray House’s 180cm screen, for example, and a wireless projector is equipped with Netflix and Disney+ at The Deerstone.

7. Showcase stays

Stays can be the perfect shop windows for showcasing local products, art or craftsmanship. A brochure at Within the Village in Connemara has further details on everything from Joe Hogan’s baskets to Calendar Coffee in Oughterard, for example. The Deerstone has a similar approach, and is happy to share details. Both paint a picture of their destinations, support local, and provide inspiration for day trips or special souvenirs.

8. Hot seats

They’re the new fire pits. Saunas and couples’ hot tubs are popping like mushrooms all over the island... adding steamy new layers to our stays.

9. Crock pots

A term for a slow cooker, crock pots can also mean slow-cooked stews or meals left for guests at self-catering properties like Dromoland Lodge. A lovely blend of catering and comfort, we’d love to see more!

10. Botanical bling

Wallpapers. Headboards. Cushions. Furniture fabrics. We get it! Every new opening or refurb these days seems to feature vibrant splashes of tropical leaves, animals and natural scenes. It’s a welcome counterpoint to the white walls and curated minimalism of our Scandi-inflected stays, but surely this trend is starting to come towards an… ahem, natural conclusion.