Great Value 3-Star Hotel (Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge (Dublin))

Member Name: kenjohn

Product:	Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge (Dublin)
Date:	08/03/08 (227 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Superb value 3-star hotel

Disadvantages: Not a lot!

Bewley's Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, is arguably the best value 3-star Dublin hotel within spitting distance of the city centre. At a set price of a mere Euro109 per room per night (due to increase to Euro119 from 1st April 2008) Bewley's Ballsbridge is extremely good value for money.

The maximum number of guests per room is two. This means that for just under Euro60 per person you get a good standard 3-star hotel room, with all the usual 3-star amenities like an ensuite bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities, iron and ironing board, TV, hair dryer, in-room safe, etc. An added bonus at Bewleys is that you also get free internet access (broadband) in all rooms and in all public areas using their wireless internet LAN.

Family rooms are also available that will comfortably sleep two adults and three kids. (Kids are free)

The public areas (reception and lounge) are very cosy and comfortable, with old leather seats and sofas.

Breakfast isn't included in this no frills price, but can be purchased for an additional Euro11 per person. Evening meals can be had in the award winning in-house O'Connell's Restaurant. We've eaten here as a family on quite a few occasions and can highly recommend it. The menu can be viewed at the restaurant website http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge_hotel_din ing.asp#. Two of my own favourites are the "warm salad of black pudding" starter and the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

Mind you, it took a while for O'Connell's restaurant to recover from the bad publicity it received when there was a fairly serious outbreak of salmonella poisoning in the week the restaurant first opened!

Bewley's Hotel is situated adjacent to the Royal Dublin Showgrounds (RDS) and directly opposite the 5-star Four Season's Hotel. It's about a mile and a half into the city centre, and the hotel is well serviced by public transport. The Aircoach from the airport stops here every 20 minutes or so, there are numerous bus stops right at the door, and a light rail station (DART) about 5 minutes walk away. Of course, by far the most sensible option is to pick up a taxi at the rank at the hotel entrance. (Heh, heh)

If you're travelling by car Bewley's have a very secure underground car park which costs residents Euro7 per day.

One of the things I particularly like about Bewley's Ballsbridge is the building itself. It's very old and very attractive, having started life as a Freemason's School back in the 19th century.

And, of course, you can be absolutely assured of a really good cup of coffee, as Bewleys are world famous coffee manufacturers.

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Address: Bewleys Hotel, Ballsbridge, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Telephone: 0353 1 668 1111
Fax: 0353 1 668 1999
eMail: Ballsbridge@BewleysHotels.com
Website: http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge_hotel_det ails.asp

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© KenJ March 2008

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Summary: Highly recommended 3-star Dublin hotel handy for the city centre