With a healthy mix of plush hotels and grand old guesthouses, Dublin excels in providing a place to rest your head at the end of a day. Unfortunately, finding a really great, affordable place to stay is a tougher prospect in the summer. In this section we have tried to list as many of these “finds” as we can. If you’re prepared to stay slightly outside of the city center, your options open up quite a bit (remember that most travel, including taxis, is relatively cheap).
In general, hotel rates in Dublin do not vary as much seasonally as they do in the countryside, although some hotels charge slightly higher prices during special events, such as St. Patrick's Day and the Dublin Horse Show. The money savings here come by the day of the week: If you're looking for the best deal, some hotels cut their rates by as much as 50% on Friday and Saturday nights, when business traffic is low. On the other hand, some hotels offer midweek specials.
Try to book as far in advance as possible. The most sought-after places fill up fast. And don’t write off four-star hotels—they often run sales and discounts that can make them cheaper than budget options. Check your dream hotel’s website first, before making a final decision. Always try to book online—many hotels offer web-only special deals.
Irish immigration authorities require visitors to have already arranged a place to stay at least for the first night. If you arrive in Dublin without a reservation, however, don’t despair. One of the best sources of last-minute rooms (often at a discount) is www.visitdublin.com. The website lets you browse hotels and guesthouses with immediate availability.
Most luxury hotels are on the south side of the river in Temple Bar and around Trinity College, but there are a few on the Northside. Places like the boutique, U2-owned Clarence hotel in Temple Bar are stylish indicators of how far Dublin has come, while the celebrity hangout Morrison hotel just across the river from it proves that the north bank is on the upswing. There are lots of excellent midrange hotels around St. Stephen's Green. Most budget hotels are in the north, where affordable guesthouses cluster around funky Lower Gardiner Street.
A Parking Note -- Many Dublin hotels do not offer parking; if you have a car, you'll have to find (and pay for) street parking. In this section, we've provided parking information only for the few hotels that do offer parking arrangements or discounts for guests. The more expensive hotels can charge as much as €25 per night to park, so ask about this hidden charge before you book.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
