The reviews on tripadvisor sound good Sue:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g186605-d212803-r16159486-Best_Western_Academy_Plaza_Hotel-Dublin_County_Dublin.html

Can anyone recommend a taxi company please? I'll be needing to book a taxi from BARNACLES to MARLAY PARK for 6am on August the 13th.

If anyone can give me an idea of cost too that would be great. Also, how many passengers would be permitted in a five seat taxi, three or four? I know most saloon and hatchbacks have a centre lap belt but I don't know the legislation surrounding it's use in a taxi.

Thanks.

Pippy

I know round here Its 4 in a taxi - lapbelt for middle customer, black cabs seat 5 - 3 on back seat and 2 on the fold down seats.

I wont be joining you at 6am Pippy more like 2-3pm after lunch

alit wrote:

I know round here Its 4 in a taxi - lapbelt for middle customer

Thanks Ali. I was just wondering if the legislation may be different in Ireland??

alit wrote:

I wont be joining you at 6am Pippy

I know, I must be mad!

Can Visa debit cards be used in Ireland?

I'm pretty sure they can be Pippy as I've used mine all over the world.

There is an ATM locator topic at the top of the GHE forum, but I personally don't find it all that accurate.

luci

Thanks Luci

Hi Just got back from Dublin last Monday. I spent 1 night at the Academy Plaza and I really enjoyed my stay there. It is in the upper part of O,Connell Street just round the corner from the Gresham Hotel. The Airlink bus makes its first stop there and it was literally 100 yds or so round the corner. You see it from the corner on the other side of the road.
Check in for me was a bit complicated as I booked with ebookers and on their web site it stated ebookers special offer Free Irish Breakfast.
On completing the booking it stated room only but after a couple of phone calls and a couple of emails it was confirmed that I would have breakfast.
On check in it stated room only but I had printed off the emails etc and gave these to the receptionist. Despite this their contract if with a different agency who use ebooker as well as others. Offered to give me a receipt for the breakfast but I declined this.
I left it with them to contact whoever but I then got a call first from the check in girl and about 5 minutes later from the Senior Guest Relations. I was told that they still could not sort out the problem but as I was a guest at their hotel I would receive complementary breakfast. She said she didn't want my day in Dublin to be marrer or have time taken up contacting anyone.
True to her word (most of the bookings seem to be for room only) when I went to the dining room the next morning when the girl at the desk was asking my room no etc there was a note with my name and room number. Stating complementary do not ask for any money!

The hotel overall is comfortable and as we all know has more or less been rebuilt or at least every room has been upgraded. The room was not large but it had a double very comfortable bed. 2 small bed table very small but the light was on the wall so adaquate. I had a room with a bath with over bath shower. Really good power in the shower. Some rooms I understand have only shower. Adaquate wardrobe hanging drawers one of which enclosed the kettle and cups etc. I was looking everywhere for it. No biscuits just tea and coffee.
Dryer was in the bathroom again I was chasing it. 2 Chairs and a small table. All in all a good hotel for the money. Flat screen TV was also nice and everywhere is so CLEAN. Nice bedding etc completes the accommodation.

I didn't use the restaurant as I was on my own and just ate out at Bewleys in Grafton Street. Thursday night so late opening everywhere.
They did have an early bird menu in the hotel for the Asian restaurant which I think was e19.99 Looked as though it would be a good deal.
I did order coffee from the bar but prefered to have it in the comfortable reception area. Several leather sofa's and chairs I think 3 different areas. They also had free internet access with 2 computers in the reception. If you have a laptop then you can have free access from your room and there is a keyboard and mouse there.

The staff were great and friendly service at all times. On my return to the UK I sent an email to ebookers and they responded to say that they are waiting on the hotel contacting them to pay for my breakfast. Not 100% sure if this is totally the case. I forwarded this email to the Academy plaza and also saying how much I had enjoyed my stay. I had a prompt response to the from the Hotel Manager telling me he had not met me but knew of the problem. As far as I was concerned the hotel did everything to make me feel welcome and whether they will chase up ebookers for the cost of my breakfast I don't know.
What it will do however is ensure that other ebookers clients who stay at the hotel will not have the same problem. It can cause embarrassment but then I am pretty capable and reasonable and would never make a big fuss. I am however VERY good at getting what I want or what I should get.

I am sure that you will have a great stay there. I was a little bit dubious about the area but it was fine. I had a room backing on to Parnall street but it was not noisy. Ideally I would prefer to stay in a 5* around the Trinity Stephens Green are but it was only for 1 night and cost wise I paid for single occupancy £78 so felt it was pretty good deal.

Hope this helps any questions fire away.

Sue

Don't know about the music although I did see signs outside places. Buses are all over the place and absolutley no problem. I took a bus back from the Grafton Street area and when I didn't have the correct change should have paid 5 cents more the driver just said "now sure that's fine on you go" Only took the bus as the feet were weary.

Sue

Hi Sue ... glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit. Perhaps you would like to be first to review the hotel for us ... please click here.

(I will ask Admins to update the page with the hotel's new title).

David

Will do and also having just written something for Scotland's Cruise centre regarding SOLO cruising I am being encouraged to do a bit more.
Just a bit wary of people who know me reading what I have written. Off to bed now.

Sue

daughter looking to go with her boyfriend for a few days to Dublin
She wants to fly out from Cardiff on 30th Sept and return on 3rd Ocy
Cheapest flight I've managed to find is £61.50 with AerArran
I know she can go from Bristol for about £16 but they would prefer a Cardiff flight if they can.
Anyone know of anything cheaper.
Also whats the best/cheapest way to get from the airport to their accomodation
And lastly does anyone have any good recommenations for a hotel in the centre of dublin suitable for 2 young people

The cheapest way to the city centre and beyond is to use the service bus. Many bus cover many areas and cost I think around 2-3 euro each.
The other method is to use the Airlink or the Aircoach, Airlink 747 runs every 10 minutes and costs 7e single or 12e return.
Aircoach also runs every 10 minutes or so and costs 6 euro.
The best option might be to buy the Dublin Pass at the airport or on line and you can use this for travel from and to the airport as well as all the buses in the city. 1-2-3 day passes.
Go on line and see what you want to do depending if they want entry to any of the places of interest as well as the hop on hop off city tour bus. Buying this would be a discounted way of doing this.

Hotels it depends on how much they want to spend and whether they want to be in say Temple Bar just very central generally.
I have only stayed at the Academy Plaza just off Upper O'Connell street and the Camden Court Hotel which is in Dublin 2 and a 10 min walk beyond Trinity Stephen's Green etc. The CCH is more expensive and has a Pool etc. Around 100 euro's B&B single. Academy is a beautiful hotel new rooms with great decor and I paid £79 single and I think quite a bit less if you are doing double. It is Best Western and they had offers on their own web site but I only wanted a 1 night stop and the best price I found for me was with ebookers.

I am sure there are many like Comfort Inn Travel Lodge etc if you are looking for something cheaper. I suggest you have a look on the Trip Advisor web site and they will give you a review on all the hotels etc. I always use them as a source of information when I am travelling anywhere and I have yet to chose a hotel that did not live up to its expectation. I travel frequently so I am very used to making choices in this way. Then do a search using their booking agents also try Travelsupermarket for the very best price for your chosen hotel. Also look at the Hotel own web site and also I will often call the hotel or email to ask what the best price they can do. Sometime you will be surprised what you can achieve doing this.

These are just my tips and I am sure that others will be able to add to this. Generally the city is not cheap and you will find drinks restaurants etc more expensive than in the UK but you will have a great time. Steeped in history steeped in music and the arts and most of all steeped in great craic. Enjoy!!

Sue

Thanks thats Brilliant...They want something cheap and cheerful so b+b would do them fine
I've managed to find a couple but they are still coming out at about £240 for 3 nights.....they need something a little cheaper than that

Im staying at the Harding hotel in Dublin, 5 mins from Temple bar and opposite St Patricks cathederal. About 95% of reviews on Tripadvisor sounded positive I booked through online agency and paid £53 a night for single b&b, not sure of double prices but It looks a good hotel?

The cheapest way to the city centre and beyond is to use the service bus. Many bus cover many areas and cost I think around 2-3 euro each.
The other method is to use the Airlink or the Aircoach, Airlink 747 runs every 10 minutes and costs 7e single or 12e return.
Aircoach also runs every 10 minutes or so and costs 6 euro.
The best option might be to buy the Dublin Pass at the airport or on line and you can use this for travel from and to the airport as well as all the buses in the city. 1-2-3 day passes.

keela1eva2
can I just query this bit about the Dublin Pass giving you free bus travel, please.
From what I've read on the Dublin Pass website, it gives you travel from the airport to the city via Aircoach plus free entrance to a number of attractions and some discounts.
I can't see where it says anything about free travel on buses within the city.

The website does however mention a 3 DAY FREEDOM TICKET which it says will take care of all your Dublin transport needs.
This costs €25 per adult but is €23.50 if purchased with the Dublin Pass.

Am I missing something?

I've read somewhere that you can buy a LUAS/BUS combi ticket for €6.80 per day.
Thanks

The Jurys Inn chain of hotels used to be a great budget choice in Dublin. In fact we stayed in them for 6 years on the trot (Parnell Square and Customs House) and there is also one near Christchurch.

It might be worth a look for deals but I remember someone mentioning that rates at all Jurys hotels had gone through the roof (quoting 150euros on some dates ) so this option might be out of the question as well.

Dublin is one expensive city. It was expensive when we last went and it was 1.45 euros to the £, I'd hate to know how much a pint is now? I'm guessing close to 5euros (£4.10). It is a wonderful city though, I love the pubs. We used to do a new crawl round them every visit. My faves were always Oliver St John Gogarty (in Temple Bar, bit touristy) and The Hairy Lemon near Grafton Street.

Hi
Going to Dublin this Saturday for 3 days and want to make the most of it.

I've been researching on the internet and we've decided to do a 'hop on/hop off' city bus tour, taking advantage of the first departure at 09:30.

We want to do this:

stop 1: Merrion Square - for Oscar Wilde Statue, exterior of Heraldic Museum, Number 29 (is this open?)
stop 2: St Stephens Green & University Church
stop 3: Guiness Storehouse
stop 4: Kilmainham Gaol
stop 5: Jameson's Distillery (anyone know if the chimney is still closed?).
Walk to Collins Barracks for 'Decorative Arts & History'.

Is the above too ambitious to do in one day?
We do appreciate that it will be a long day, but we're OK with that.
I guess I'm asking roughly how long tours of Kilmainham Gaol, Guiness Storehouse & Jameson's Distillery take.

We have the other stuff like Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, ChristChurch Cathedral etc planned for other days.
We thought this would give us a good overview of the city layout as well as taking advantage of visiting the furthest out attractions as part of the tour.

Thanks

I am sorry I have had another look and the hop on off is not included with the freedom pass or the Dublin Pass it is as you say but if you buy a pass at the Airport or on line you will save on the Airlink fare. You could cut down by taking the freedom pass and using the local bus for everything. A lot that you will do in Dublin will be on foot so probably having the pass for the 3 days is not necessary if you are in the city centre.
Last year I was at the Camden Court Hotel and although it was walkable to O'Connell street it was a fair walk after a day pounding the streets.
Your first day plan is do able but as you say it will be a long day and you may need to restrict the time you spend there.
In any case you will love Dublin as I do. Young vibrant city with a great BUZZ and I am a retiree so even for me it was exciting!!

Enjoy

Sue