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The choice of accommodation in Dublin ranges from elegant luxury hotels to dormitory beds in hostels with self-catering kitchens. Breakfast (either continental or full Irish) is usually included in the room price, although expensive hotels and some hostels may charge extra. Hotels are graded according to a star system by Dublin Tourism, with prices from around E100 per night for a decent three-star choice to more than E450 for the very best accommodation in the city. Single person supplements are standard and can be exorbitant. However, rates are often cheaper in low season, and may be negotiable at other times of year depending on demand, particularly if you stay for more than one night, make a dinner reservation at the hotel or book a family room. You should also look out for special deals offered by airline companies or when booking online.
Always confirm the price of your room before making a reservation and always try to make your booking in advance, especially during holiday periods, festivals or big sporting events.
In general, the most expensive and upmarket hotels are located south of the river, especially in the Grafton Street area, while affordable two-star hotels and guesthouses with character are clustered around Gardiner Street on the north side. If you want to avoid the weekend crowds, choose a hotel out of the town centre at Ballsbridge, Dun Laoghaire, or even further afield. Bear in mind, though, that accommodation in Ballsbridge tends to be pricey, especially when compared to guesthouses and B&Bs in Gardiner Street or in the northern suburb of Clontarf.
The distinction between a guesthouse and a small hotel is often fairly academic, with most guesthouses now offering en suite rooms with TVs, direct-dial phones and tea- and coffee-making facilities, plus a lounge and, occasionally, a bar. A guesthouse breakfast may be far better and more individually prepared than what’s on offer in a hotel. A typical city B&B will be a small, owner-occupied house with two or three bedrooms set aside for guests; not all rooms will have their own bathroom.
If you’re on a tight budget but you don’t want to sleep in a dormitory, the most economical choice may be a private room in a hostel. Check out http://www.hostels.com, which provides information and takes bookings for hostel and budget accommodation in Dublin.
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