Hotels near Designyard, Dublin

We had a fantastic stay at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham. The location on O'Connell Street is unbeatable, with the Luas tram right outside and sights like Trinity College and Temple Bar just a short walk away. Our room was spotless, comfortable, and remarkably quiet despite the busy central setting. Check-in was swift, staff were welcoming, and the breakfast buffet offered a great selection each morning. Highly recommended for a Dublin city break.

We booked a hotel for two nights, and the room they gave us was very clean, with a microwave and refrigerator so we could cook. The hotel wasn't far from the city center, and the transportation nearby was very convenient. The only downside was that the air conditioner in the room was constantly making noise, which slightly affected my sleep quality.

The hotel location was very close to the red line tram and several bus stops including the dublin express bus stop. It is around 20 minutes by local transportation from downtown. The staff was friendly and helpful. The room was very clean and had all you may need. The air conditioning was good. There’s a working space on the ground floor that you may use for free any time you like even after checkout till 5 pm. There’s a 24 hour reception. They offer luggage storage.

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!

Facilities: This hotel is actually a hostel, and most rooms are sold by the bed. However, we booked a private room, and to our surprise, it was fully equipped with two separate beds and a private bathroom. Unlike some hostels that offer private rooms without private facilities, this one did. There's also an elevator in the building, which was very convenient for us with our large suitcases. Though, the elevator is a bit old-fashioned; you have to open the door manually. Cleanliness: The cleanliness was surprisingly good. Both the bathroom and the room were very clean. The only minor drawback was that the bed sheets and duvet had some pilling. Service: The service was excellent. After booking, they sent many emails with useful information about nearby transportation, restaurants, facilities, and hotel policies. I was traveling with my 80-year-old father, and he had no issues staying at this hostel. The building has a laundry room and a kitchen, making it ideal for travelers who want hostel-like amenities but prefer not to sleep in a dorm. Plus, the price of their private rooms is cheaper than other hotels. The location is very convenient, with a bus stop nearby that offers direct access to the airport. It's also about a 10-minute walk to the city center. There's a small supermarket and a large park in the vicinity.

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!

I booked this hotel the night before boarding the ferry at Dublin Port. Found the location good and amenities met my needs. There is a bar restaurant that sometimes gets busy so booking could be a good idea.

The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful giving good advice on places to eat and things to do in Dublin, the room was very clean and the bed was comfortable, there is a free coffee machine in the lobby which is very good, and the hotels in an excellent location.

Cannot recommend this hotel enough. The staff were available around the clock to cater to our every need and made this such a special trip. Thank you so much

My husband and I had been planning this trip to Dublin for quite some time. And when we found this beautiful boutique hotel online, we were so excited. As soon as we arrived And checked in, there was a lot going on in the lobby area, so it was a little overwhelming. We saw a lady at the desk, but we weren’t sure that she actually worked there because she didn’t greet us. Didn’t even look our way. It seemed like she had a general disinterest or disdain for us being there. I asked, “Is this the front desk to the hotel?” To which she responded in a monotone voice, “Yes.” I was shocked that this was the first impression of the hotel that we were getting. What made it worse was that my husband was told that we needed to put a card on hold and he proceeded to tap his card thinking that it was like all the other places we had been to in Ireland. But it didn’t work. Several times he tapped it and it showed nothing. He asked the lady, “does your tap work? Do you have tap?” To which she replied a curt, “no.” Mind you, she was standing there the entire time and could see the entire situation. This interaction was such a bummer, and this made our short trip to Dublin feel a little sour.  To be honest, not all of the stuff was like that morning. We woke up to get a coffee downstairs, and the gentleman that works at the coffee bar was very warm. A young Spanish speaking man. He was absolutely amazing; patient and willing to answer any questions About the items on the menu And the different pastries available.  Overall, the hotel was a mixed bag. It had a very chic vibe but outside of that lovely gentleman, their customer service can definitely improve!