Visiting the bustling capital of Ireland soon and looking for the perfect place to stay? You’ve landed on the right page.
There’s a wide array of hotels dotted all around Dublin, with each promising to give you the best time here in the Irish capital. With so many hotels and lodging options to choose from, how will you find the perfect accommodation property for you?
The truth is, there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to hotels. A hotel located in a district brimming with nightclubs might be perfect for nightlife lovers but might be a letdown for light sleepers. A hotel housed in a historic Georgian building might be a steal for architecture geeks but might not cater to senior travellers due to the lack of elevators.
To help you narrow down your choice, we’ve rounded up 8 factors to consider when choosing the perfect hotel in Dublin. Chances are that, you’ve probably never thought (yet) of some of the factors listed below when making your decision.
Also read: What Is Tourism And What Are Its Types?
1. Consider the hotel location’s noise levels
Dublin is a bustling city teeming with bars, clubs, pubs, and other cultural centres that only get even more lively at night. Of course, noise is inevitable, especially if you choose to stay in an area that’s close to the action.
So if you’re looking to relax at night rather than to party, avoid noisy and busy areas like the Temple Bar District, Trinity Area, or O’Connell Street. Hotels in high-traffic areas also tend to be more expensive. Instead, choose a hotel in a quiet residential neighborhood and suburb including Raheny, Ranelagh, and Ballsbridge. In most cases, these neighborhoods are filled with green spaces.
If you want a calm place but you still want to be surrounded by plenty of amazing restaurants, you may visit Portobello. It’s less vibrant than the heart of the city but there’s plenty of activities and things to see. Phibsborough is another charming area for avoiding the hustle and bustle but still have easy access to the city centre and its main attractions.
2. Check its proximity to bars, pubs, and other places of interest
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On the contrary, if you’re looking to dine, drink, and dance the night away, your best bet is to stay in a hotel close to several great restos, bars, pubs, and breweries. We all know that local booze, music, and even the humour and fun spirits of Dubliners should not be missed. If you know you’re gonna be tipsy (or drunk) at midnight, you don’t want to venture too far from your warm bed.
3. Look for nearby parks and green spaces
Want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Dublin every once in a while? The good news is even you’re in the heart of the city, you can still find a wide array of parks and gardens. These include Phoenix Park, St. Stephen’s Green, National Botanic Gardens, Irish National War Memorial Park, Iveagh Gardens, and Merrion Square. You just have to find a hotel that’s only a few minutes away from these green spaces to make the most out of your stay.
For instance, this four-star hotel in Dublin is close to Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed public parks in Europe, and home to the Dublin Zoo. Here, you can enjoy your morning jog, take a leisurely stroll in the afternoon, have a picnic with your loved ones, or simply curl up with a book.
4. Riding a bike? Consider the hotel’s proximity to Dublin Bikes
Don’t want to take public transportation every time you want to get around? Dublin has a cheap citywide bike rental program: Dublin Bikes. If you plan to wander around the city on two wheels, make sure the location of your hotel has a nearby Dublin Bike stand.
5. Pay attention to their free breakfast options
Found a Dublin hotel that offers “free breakfast”? Great! But do you know what they’re serving exactly?
Some hotel’s definition of free breakfast is the continental one, which consists of toast, fruit, juice, and tea or coffee. Other hotels offer a hearty full Irish breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and hash browns. Of course, if you want a filling meal that’ll set you up for a long day of exploring, you should go with the latter.
6. Not all hotels have elevators
Many travellers want to stay in a hotel housed in a historic Georgian property with an old-world charm, a castle or manor house, or any well-preserved century-old building with elegant interiors. However, not all travellers are willing to embrace the not-so-modern features that come with them: like the lack of elevators. If you don’t want to climb up and down the stairs, you can simply request a lower-level floor.
7. See the availability of the reception areas
Not all accommodation properties in Dublin have a 24/7 reception area. Other properties, like independently owned B&Bs, operate on limited reception hours. So if you’re planning to arrive or depart at unusual hours, consider booking a larger hotel chain where the front desk is open 24-hours a day.
8. Staying longer? Browse properties with kitchenettes
From homey B&Bs to apartment-style hotels (serviced apartments), you can find Dublin accommodation properties that have fully-equipped kitchenettes. These properties come with something beyond microwaves, mini fridges, and coffee makers — they actually have a stove, a set of cookware and utensils, and comfortable dining sets.
Such a feature is perfect for long-term travellers and anyone who’s looking for a way to save money on dining. Dublin is an expensive city for grub, and you don’t want to burn your wallets by eating out three times a day for the rest of your stay.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a travel and lifestyle writer. Aside from taking vibrant street photos, you can find her writing articles about travel, food, and lifestyle. To know more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit Ashling Hotel Dublin.