U 2 will be disappointed (Clarence)

Member Name: degsy70

Product:	Clarence
Date:	14/07/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Location (if at front of hotel)

Disadvantages: Everything else

The Clarence in Dublin relies on two important factors to generate business, firstly it was renovated in the 90s by a certain Bono from U2 and secondly it is fairly central and overlooks the River Liffey. We took the bus from Dublin airport to O'Connell Street and from their it was a 15 minute walk (with baggage) to the hotel. Myself and my partner has booked to stay here for 2 nights at a cost of 250 euros per night for a 'king size room with balcony' and were extremely excited about seeing and staying in the hotel. What a disappointment. Despite spending a fortune on the renovation, all that was achieved was a décor more akin to staying at Hogwarts. The communal areas of the hotel are very small and you almost feel like you're staying in a youth hostel. The 'Octagon Bar' was unique but again very small and very dark. We were hoping that the room would be the turning point but it was nothing more than a glorified premier inn bedroom. Yes it had the usual facilities (TV, Tea/Coffee etc) but the room was small and rather unspectacular.
What wasn't made clear on their website was the fact that the front of the hotel overlooks the Liffey but all the balcony rooms are at the back of the hotel facing a nightclub. The balcony itself was a token bit of space and you could even look left and right into everyone else's balconies!
Despite the price of the room, breakfast was not included and I was utterly appalled to learn that a full Irish breakfast would cost 26 euros each, that's £24 for a fry up!
The Clarence should get rid of the penthouse suites on the top floor and open up a bar with views of Dublin for their guests to savour. Had Bono himself wandered into the Bar I would have been more interested in getting a refund than his autograph!

Summary: see review