Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [90]
Latchfords (Map; 676 0784; www.latchfords.ie; 99-100 Lower Baggot St) Studios and two-bedroom flats in a Georgian town house.
Oliver St John Gogarty’s Penthouse Apartments (Map; 671 1822; www.gogartys.ie; 18-21 Anglesea St) Perched high atop the pub of the same name Click here, these one- to three-bedroom places have views of Temple Bar.
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Marlborough Hostel (Map; 874 7629; www.marlboroughhostel.com; 81-82 Marlborough St; dm from €15; ) Next to the Pro-Cathedral, this well-located hostel has 76 beds and adequate facilities. High Georgian ceilings make up for small rooms, but the slightly run-down showers in the basement are a bit of a trek from the dorms.
Litton Lane Hostel (Map; 872 8389; www.irish-hostel.com; 2-4 Litton Lane; dm/d from €15/70) True to its origins as a dog-eared recording studio (once patronised by Van Morrison), this friendly hostel could do with a lick of paint but retains a certain grungy charm. Dorms are mixed, and so are the showers, which lends new meaning to its motto: ‘Don’t Sleep Around; Sleep with Us’.
Abbey Court Hostel (Map; 878 0700; www.abbey-court.com; 29 Bachelor’s Walk; dm/d €22/88; ) Spread over two buildings on the Liffey quays, this large, well-run hostel has 33 clean dorms with good storage. Doubles with private bathrooms are in the newer building, where a light breakfast is also provided in the cafe.
MIDRANGE
Anchor Guesthouse (Map; 878 6913; www.anchorguesthouse.com; 49 Lower Gardiner St; s/d from €55/75) Most B&Bs round these parts offer pretty much the same sorts of things: TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, a half-decent shower and clean linen. The Anchor does all of that, but it has an elegance you won’t find in many of the other B&Bs along this stretch. This lovely Georgian guesthouse, with its delicious wholesome breakfasts, comes highly recommended by readers. They’re dead right.
Castle Hotel (Map; 874 6949; www.castle-hotel.ie; 3-4 Great Denmark St; s/d/tr from €70/110/140) In business since 1809, the Castle may be slightly rough around the edges, but it’s one of the most pleasant hotels this side of the Liffey. The fabulous palazzo-style grand staircase leads to the 50-odd bedrooms, whose furnishings are traditional and a tad antiquated but perfectly good; check out the original Georgian cornicing around the high ceilings.
Townhouse (Map; 878 8808; www.townhouseofdublin.com; 47-48 Lower Gardiner St; s/d/tr from €70/115/132) The ghostly writing of Irish-Japanese author Lafcadio Hearn may have influenced the Gothic-style interior of his former home. A dark-walled, gilt-framed foyer with a jingling chandelier leads into 82 individually designed, comfy rooms. Some rooms in the new wing at the back are larger, with balconies overlooking the small Japanese garden.
Walton’s Hotel (Map; 878 3131; www.waltons-hotel.ie; 2-5 North Frederick St; s/d/tr €75/115/155) Better known for its legendary musical instrument shop next door, this friendly hotel was opened by the Walton family in an effort to preserve the traditional Georgian heritage of the building. With the help of the nearby Castle Hotel it’s done just that. The 43 rooms are clean and spacious; with a superb location overlooking Findlater’s Church and the Rotunda Hospital, Walton’s is an excellent choice. Children under 12 stay for free.
Lynam’s Hotel (Map; 888 0886; www.lynams-hotel.com; 63-64 O’Connell St; s/d/tr from €80/125/165; ) A midrange hotel smack in the middle of O’Connell St is almost too good to be true. Now that Dublin’s premier street is halfway back to its glorious best, Lynam’s becomes a rare gem indeed – a smart, friendly hotel with 42 pleasant rooms decorated in country-style pine furniture. Room 41 is a lovely dormer triple with an additional camp bed – handy for groups who want to share. Ask for discounts midweek.
Browns Hotel (Map; 855 0034; www.brownsdublinhotel.com; 80-90 Lower Gardiner St; s/d €90/115) The 22 rooms fill up pretty quickly at this small hotel, whose popularity is cemented by neat and tidy rooms replete with modern furnishings. Book