Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Sleeping
Hotel rooms in Dublin aren't as expensive as they were during the Celtic Tiger
years, but demand is still high and booking is highly recommended, especially if
you want to stay in the city centre or within walking distance of it.
Hotels
From basic chain hotels to luxurious lodgings, Dublin's hotels offer the same kind of
choice and service you'd find in any European capital. The best hotels are advertised as
five-star, and while they're generally very good and the service is usually excellent, they're
really more like a four-star hotel in London or New York - with prices to match. Smaller
boutique hotels offer fewer rooms but more personalised attention, while chain hotels are
perfect if all you want is a clean, central bed to sleep in and a decent breakfast.
B&Bs, Guesthouses & Townhouses
For so long the bedrock of basic accommodation, the old-fashioned B&B, with worn,
slightly chintzy decor, has largely been surpassed by the cheaper chain hotels, but their
more upmarket cousins - the Georgian guesthouses and townhouses - are now the city's
most interesting version of an authentic boutique experience. The best of these are beauti-
fully decked out and extremely comfortable. Breakfast can range from home-baked breads,
fruit and farmhouse cheeses to a traditional, fat-laden fry-up.
Hostels
Hostels are the only truly budget option within a stone's throw of the city centre. Thank-
fully, most of these maintain a pretty high standard of hygiene and comfort. Many offer
various sleeping arrangements, from a bed in a large dorm to a four-bed room or a double.
There are plenty to choose from, but they tend to fill up very quickly and stay full.
Serviced Apartments
There are central self-catering apartments for groups, families or those on extended stays
who may prefer to do their own thing. These are usually equipped to the standard of a mod-
ern, suburban home, while at the upper end they are like luxury penthouse apartments.
