'From beyond the moon and the stars, I look up to me, only to find the infinite nothingness of mortality in me. What, pray tell me, does this town of gold mean to me?
Nobel Laureate and one of the best known English language poets of the 20th century Seamus Heaney was a notable resident of Derry “ a quaint little town-city in Ireland. And it is safe to say that Heaney wasn't the only glowing gem in the lineage of sons and daughters that belongs to Derry.
Also referred to as Londonderry at time, Derry has come of age in the last century. What used to be a small, quiet town is today a bustling mini-metropolis where more than 120,000 people “ all over from Northern Island “ take shelter in search of jobs, or to finish their education.
Derry is located “ nestled would be a more apt word “ by the bank of River Foyle in one of the most picturesque of locations one can summon in their head. The fact that it is now populated heavily does not seem to obstruct its views of the river or its beauty “ a very rare and appreciable quality to have in a city.
The name of the city has always been a bone of contention in the UK. Being a part of the kingdom, Derry is often referred to as Londonderry, especially in the national scheme of things. The contribution of rich Londoners in building up the city more than three centuries ago must have had a lot to do with it, as well. But that's well and fine. What matters to us is the reality that Derry is a fine, fine place where you can get the best of natural serenity as well as pleasures that one associates with a city.
Hence, we would love to see our avid readers who love to travel choose Derry as their next holiday destination. Just a little cherry on top “ this quick guide to Derry hotels will help you get to know the prospects better!
Cheap Hotels in Derry
Northern Ireland, being a part of the UK, has the same economy, currency and overall cost of living as mainland England. Of course, you cannot compare Derry with big English cities like London or Bristol, but keeping this fact in mind should be enough to understand the course of things.
Cheap hotels are to be found in abundance in Derry. Most of these are usually traditional Irish B&B units or inns where you can just drop in and stay the night or two. Expecting a lot of comfort from these would, however, be uncalled for and rather inappropriate. So, just treat these like cheap hotels that are found pretty much everywhere else in the world and that should suffice.
Fairman House is a popular budget hotel that fits snugly in this category. Located not too far from the city center, it's a simple yet effective lodging option that won't burn a hole in your pocket.
The next up is a hotel that couldn't be named more precisely “ City Centre. It's a small, boutique sort of a cheap hotel that's situated at a stone's throw from the business district of Derry, making it a formidable choice for business travelers.
Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Derry
If budget hotels in Derry don't have ˜it' in your point of view, do feel free, by all means, to explore various luxury hotels in Derry.
It would be well called for to put it on record here that there aren't too many luxury resorts in Derry that can be compared with world class counterparts. But still, whatever you can get in the name of luxury is splendid enough to get wowed.
City Hotel and Maldron Hotel are two top picks in this segment. Great, majestic building, exquisite hospitality and a good choice of decor make suites and rooms in these resorts worth every penny you pay.
Another luxury option would be Beech Hill Country House Hotel. It is located on the outskirts of Derry, in a quiet patch of woods. It's a perfect place to get away from the life of advancement and hurry, and just spend a few days in your own company, getting ˜recharged' for your life back home.
Independent and Boutique Lodging Options in Derry
Experienced tourists would know that cities that have boomed recently in business and economy do tend to have a good choice of independent and boutique lodging options.
Derry, of course, is not exception to that. In the city centre itself, you can find many such options “ most of which are usual residential buildings turned into lodges and boutique resorts.
They can be quite cost effective if you are to stay for long periods of time. For short stays, however, regular inns or budget lodges can be more economical.
Hotels Near Airport in Derry
There is one regional airport in Derry, named City of Derry Airport. It is located near the village of Eglinton, in Londonderry County itself.
The distance of this airport from the City Centre of Derry is roughly 10 miles, and it usually takes around 15 minutes by road to cover this distance.
There are not too many Derry hotels that can be said to be in the vicinity of this airport, but if you wish to go for convenience, you can search for cheap inns in Eglinton (although, you won't have much luck there, at any rate).
Local Transportation in Derry
Derry is divided sharply in two contrasting halves by Foyle River. These two halves are connected with three bridges that are usually heavily under traffic.
The best way to travel in Derry is to use public transport. Derry Municipality runs an efficient bus network that can help you hop between sights quite effortlessly. Other than that, tourists always have the option of just renting out a car for the duration of their stay. This will be more budget friendly as well as convenient in the long run.