Ireland
These hotels used to be Jury's hotels - they are around for another three years before they are turned into apartments. In the meantime they are found under 'D4 hotels'. Great location and a lot cheaper then before. I am staying here a lot.
I found the write-ups here helpful before I visited Dublin for my recent outing - a group of us went over for a weekend a few weeks ago. We were aware rooms could be pricey, but we found a great hostel about a mile from the city called Morehampton House. It's a massive Georgian and not much of a walk to the centre, but most of all it's great value. We only paid 20 per night for each person, so I wanted to let those who want budget rooms to know about it. Its clean and friendly.
I would like to recommend a bed and breakfast we found by accident while in Dublin, we were taking the Ferry back to the UK from Ireland from Dun Laoghaire so we had to stay the night nearby. Found Tara Hall B&B and it's run by an English lady called Margaret, it was great and so is she.
It's a lovely house near the sea in a place called Sandycove and an Irish writer used to live in it, its different and good fun and relaxing.
I stayed around Baggot Street a few weeks ago. A great location, there are great pubs and restaurants and it's just a few minutes' walk from Trinity College.
I can recommend Dohney & Nesbitts pub, a very traditional pub and great fun and then across the street is Toner Pub, different crowd, but again traditional. Stayed in Baggot Court Townhouse and then for a change moved to Fitzwilliam Square and stayed at Fitzwilliam Townhouse, great places to stay, Georgian buildings and, most of all, good value.
www.baggotcourt.com
www.visitdublin.com (see bars)
www.fitzwilliamtownhouse.com
www.bangcafe.ie
It is a 3 star hotel right in the city centre. If you are planning a trip to Dublin it is worth basing yourself there. It is 3 star so you get what you pay for (we only paid €70 for the room) but the location is great. We were able to do our shopping head back and drop off the bags and head out again. The staff were always friendly. Thumbs up.
Although under renovation, this hostel is an excellent place to stay in the centre of town.
The rooms for two offer ensuite facilities and are impeccably clean if basic.
If a couple of chairs were provided they would be even better!
The price might seem expensive for some (70 euros a night for two if booked over the net) but try to find better at a seven minutes walk from the Spire.
There is a kitchen and a minimalist breakfast is included if you want to share it with the school groups.
There is a Thai restaurant across the street and the pub on the corner's public bar (Molloy's) will take you straight back to pre-tourism Dublin - especially at the 11am rush.
A couple of caffs just round the corner on Talbot St offer all-day breakfasts at a very good prices if you can face the cholesterol, yum.
Talbot Place.
Excellent website for finding budget accommodation worldwide. Online information and booking for hostels, budget hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, apartments, pensions, campsites etc.
Most of the accommodation listed has visitor ratings too!
We wouldn't actually recommend this hotel, it was not good. I know you don't expect luxury in a budget hotel but when you spend the amount of money we did on our room, we would have loved to sleep in a room that was not suffering a major damp problem.
Tea and coffee in our room would have been good, instead of out of a machine, in a polystyrene cup that we had to go down 3 flights of stairs, (no lift), to get.
A full Irish breakfast does not consist of a plate of rubbery scrambled egg with a couple of bits of toasts. There was fruit scones and croissants on offer, but fresh not stale would have been really nice. To sum it up, we will NOT be stayimg there again!
Lower Gardiner Street, Dubin 2
Two wonderful nights in Dublin: Eden restaurant in Meeting House Square is first class, excellent food, great service in a wonderful location. We were there for lunch and had the opportunity to enjoy great food and wine with a fantastic Irish band playing on the stage in the square.
Also stayed at the Jurys Inn on Parnell Street, very clean and comfortable hotel in a good location (just off O'Connell Street)....booked through their website and only cost 180 euros for 2 nights!!!
www.edenrestaurant.ie
www.jurysdoyle.com/index.php?hotel_pid=43150
The Long Hall has always been one of the most beautiful Victorian bars in Dublin, alongside the nearby Stags Head, but it’s characterless. The Brazen Head is just for tourists.
The only place left for a drink in Dublin, itself, is The Horseshoe Bar at The Shelbourne from 5pm on a Friday.
27 St Stephen's Green;
tel: International: +353 1 6727752; UK: 0800 912 0021; USA: 1800 869 4330
Self-catering flats right in the heart of Temple Bar with great views over Dublin. Prices start at 105 euros a night per flat. We stayed here in the height of summer and it was lovely to be able to sit on the balcony and look down at the bustle of Temple Bar. Noise wasn’t a problem either. Our two-bed flat was huge and included a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, a good sized bathroom and was well decorated. A good refuge in a great location.
A small independent hotel. I have been working in Dublin off and on for many years. When I go there I always get a great welcome like a returning son, the sort of welcome that Dublin people are famous for but you just don't get in the big hotels. There’s an interesting mix of people including backpackers and suits. Keep away from the quays if you want the real Dublin.
47/48 Lower Gardiner Street; tel: 878 8808; www.townhouseofdublin.com/index.html
The hotel is a former masonic school situated between the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and the British Embassy. Great location for Lansdowne Road. All rooms (single/twin/double/family) are 99 euros per night. Breakfast is extra. The basement is given over to a restaurant, bar and lounge.
Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; www.bewleyshotels.com
Modern hotel in old traditional area of Smithfield but only a ten-minute walk from all of city centre attractions. Spacious and colourful rooms, many with great views over Smithfield market area. Attractive local pubs, and area is undergoing regeneration. Excellent midweek rates.
Smithfield - on Luas Red Line. Adjacent to Jameson Distillery.
Absolutely fabulous 20 bed b&b situated 10 minutes from Trinity College. Excellent service and staff and a closed door policy so only guests allowed. Rumoured to be closing soon but should not be missed if you hate big souless hotels.
44 Landsdowne Road, Dublin 4.
www.butlers-hotel.com
U2's luxurious design hotel on the banks of the Liffey.
6-8 Wellington Quay; Tel: 353 1 4070800; www.theclarence.ie/
The former home of the architect Sam Stephenson is truly a secluded delight. Choose a room in the converted coach house if you can. Amazing breakfasts.
31 Leeson Close, Dublin 2; Tel: 353 1 676 5011; www.number31.ie/
It is practically impossible to find a decent, quiet, budget room in Dublin, which is why I like the Oaklodge. It is a no frills, small Victorian terraced family house on a quiet residential street in Ballsbridge at the edge of the "embassy belt". Yes, it's at least a 30-minute walk from the city centre, or a swift bus ride, but it is the perfect starting point to scout out the beautiful redbrick streets of Dublin 4. Warm welcome, good breakfast. €40 per person for a double room in August, €35 per person per night in winter.
4 Pembroke Park, off Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; Tel: 00 353 1 660 6096; www.oaklodge.ie/
This Conran-designed hotel is a haven of tranquillity. The location - at the top of Grafton Street - is perfect. You're within easy walking distance of many fine restaurants and pubs (check out The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, which starts from the Duke pub in Duke Street, off Grafton Street). The staff are friendly and helpful. Although the executive rooms are the smallest, they overlook the garden and so are quiet at night. Unlike the larger rooms, they have full-width windows and a window seat. The bathroom lights are dimmable - a very nice touch. There's a CD/tape player, so it's worth bringing along your favourite music (although there is a CD library).
St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2; tel: 353 1 478 7000; www.fitzwilliamhotel.com; email: enq@fitzwilliamhotel.com
I am Irish but live in Australia. The last two times I have come back I have stayed in the North Star Hotel. I have to say that I have not yet been disappointed. The hotel is beside all the transport links so it is handy for getting around and the hotel bar has a heated beer garden, which is nice for a smoker like myself. The rooms are nice and comfortable and I would recommend it to any travellers.
Amiens Street, Dublin 1; tel: 836 3136
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