Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Book your accommodations well in advance if you'll be traveling during busy times.
Also reserve in advance for Dublin for any weekend, for Galway during its many peak-
season events, and for Dingle throughout July and August. See
here
for a list of major hol-
The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have banned smoking in the workplace
(pubs, offices, taxicabs, etc.), but some hotels still have a floor or two of rooms where
guests are allowed to smoke. If you don't want a room that a smoker might have occupied
before you, let the hotelier know when you make your reservation. All my recommended
B&Bs prohibit smoking. While some places allow smoking in the sleeping rooms, break-
fast rooms are nearly always smoke-free.
I've described my recommended accommodations using a Sleep Code (see sidebar).
Prices listed are for one-night stays in peak season, include a hearty breakfast (unless
otherwise noted), and assume you're booking directly (not through an online hotel-book-
ing engine or TI). Booking services extract a commission from the hotel, which logically
closes the door on special deals. Book direct.
For most of the hotels I list, I provide a website (which often has a built-in booking
form) and an email address; you can expect a response within a day (and often sooner).
Many hotels use “dynamic pricing,” which means room rates change from day to day
depending on demand. This makes it extremely difficult to predict what you will pay. For
many hotels, I list a range of prices. If the rate you're offered is at or near the bottom of
my printed range, it's likely a good deal.
Given the economic downturn, hoteliers are often willing and eager to make a deal. I'd
suggestemailingseveralhotelstoaskfortheirbestprice.Comparison-shopandmakeyour
choice.
As you look over the listings, you'll notice that some accommodations promise special
prices to Rick Steves readers who book directly with the hotel. To get these rates, you must
book direct (that is,
not
through a booking site like TripAdvisor or
Booking.com
), mention
this topic when you reserve, and then show the topic upon arrival. Rick Steves discounts
apply to readers with ebooks as well as printed books. Because we trust hotels to honor
this, please let me know if you don't receive a listed discount. Note, though, that discounts
understandably may not be applied to promotional rates.
In general, prices can soften if you do any of the following: offer to pay cash, stay at
least three nights, or mention this topic. You can also try asking for a cheaper room or a
discount, or offer to skip breakfast.
