Hotel dekat Monumen Spire, Dublin

I decided to ditch staying in the city centre based on my below par experiences there on my last trip. When looking on Trip.com, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Dalkey was the same price as several dorm rooms in the city centre when I looked. Getting there from Dublin Airport was relatively straightforward. I took and Aircoach from the airport to Dalkey/Ulverton Road and then walked for about 15 minutes. Up to the hotel entrance. The hotel is fairly old fashioned but personally I found it very charming. The staff were well-trained in the art of hospitality, the rooms were clean, locals were in and out of the bar, restaurant and leisure centre. Furthermore, the room was spacious with tea and coffee making facilities. The tv had a nice range of channels and the bathroom had a working shower and an abundance of towels. One thing missing was a toothbrush, toothpaste and shaving kit. I was told that you can get slippers on request as well. Get the breakfast. It’s €16 and it’s a buffet style with a delicious selection of hot and cold food. There’s rashers, sausages, hash browns, pancakes, the works. I wish I could’ve eaten more! I loved that they had a wide range of ages working there as well. One of the staff tripped when she went to ask if everything was ok and she said ‘I’m fine, I’m falling for you!’ It was then that I knew that I was home. The leisure centre is one of the best I’ve come across in a while. I’ve stayed in so many places where it’s literally an empty room with a few bits of old equipment but they had loads of weights, treadmills, bikes, etc. They do classes and physiotherapy as well. The pool and jacuzzi were also excellent. Plenty of ages in both as well but it wasnt overcrowded so you’ll get a few lengths in if you want. Lastly, make sure to go for a walk about Dalkey and the surrounding areas. I spent the morning walking down to the Vico Baths, the Forty Foot (both swimming locations) and passed through Dalkey Village. Plenty of people will be out with their family and friends whether it be for a walk, bike ride, swim or a coffee and a chat. Ditch Dublin City and say yes to Dalkey!

Very near to airport. Choose this hotel because of the early shuttle service which gives me ease of mind. The hotel staff immediately arranged a taxi for us free on the house when the shuttle bus did not arrive on time. Very good service!

The Bonnington is usually my go to hotel in dublin, however the stay before this and now this stay has made me look for somewhere else in future. The staff as always were exceptional, however our room was incorrectly rang my reception at 5am, (and on a previous stay we were awoken in the middle of the night by a false fire alarm, so a full nights sleep is not a guarantee). What was the most frustrating is the general disrepair of the hotel. The rooms are fairly small so for the higher price point you are really paying for the facilities. The smaller issues like furniture being old and leather chairs peeling and flaking were not a big problem, just a mild annoyance. However the bath/shower leaking everywhere when used from the base of the tub and leaving the floor soaking wet, the steam room being out of order and us not being informed of this when or even after booking, and the crowdedness and of the pool and other facilities because of non hotel users with memberships to the leisure clubs taking up the whole hot tub and sauna at once in personal groups was frustrating. The room was also extremely hot, and the AC very very loud while not actually doing much to cool the room. There was nothing particularly stay ruining about it however if you’re paying over 200 euro for one night somewhere you would expect things to be at least average. The main redemption was the friendliness and kindness of the staff.