I just got back from a weekend away in Dublin, where we stayed in the 3 star Regency Hotel. It was overall a pleasant experience and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a low-cost room in the city, but with a fairly decent standard of luxury.

The hotel is situated 3km to the north on the N1, halfway between the city and the airport. We took the regular bus towards O'Connell Street (Euro1.70) and got out right next to the hotel, and took about 15mins. It's just off the main road, next to the newly opened 'Centra' supermarket. If you're driving there's an ample carpark but it costs Euro10 a day to park, which is a bit steep in my view.

My initial reaction was 'oh god, what have we booked this time'. The exterior seems to be an amalgamation of new and old buildings and is verging on the downmarket. As we walked into the reception we were greeted with the powerful smell of cooked Irish breakfast which made feel a little ill. The interior looked a quite scruffy, there were big posters advertising Christmas parties and Dinner + Show minibreaks. A particular pet hate of mine is posters attached to walls with sellotape, also in abundance. I hoped I would not have to hear one of these bargain christmas parties as I was going to sleep that night.

You can either check-in using an electronic kiosk (broken at the time) or with staff at the reception desk (very friendly). As we went up in the lift, my expectations for the hotel room were low, however I was pleasantly suprised. The room was large, clean and modern with the features you'd expect more of a four star hotel.

The room was very well equipped with good storage, extra bedding and a steam iron and ironing board. I particularly enjoyed the blackout curtains (great when you have a hangover), the tea and coffee making facilities, free wifi and the plasma tv with all the British and Irish channels. The bed was kingsized and very comfortable too. My only issue was that I could not get the heating to work so was a bit cold. I could have called down to reception, but I couldn't be bothered, we weren't there for long. The bathroom was fresh and modern with complimentary toiletries.

We didn't eat at the hotel restaurant, but it looked cozy and appeared popular with non-guests too. Guests also get use of the leisure facilities which include an attractive indoor pool and beauty treatments are available.

Overall it's a fair hotel for a low price. We had a good night's sleep in a quiet modern part of the hotel, but I imagine they might not all be of the same standard reading some other reviews. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for somewhere cheap to stay, who doesn't mind the short bus ride in and out of the city centre. We paid Euro57 for a room only in December 2010 which was an excellent price for the room we recieved.