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The hotel I chose was the Crowne Plaza at Dublin Airport. The main reason was that it is part of the Six Continents hotel group, and I have a “Priority Club card” so I get points for staying, which I can use for free nights in any of the groups hotels.
** Getting there **
From the ... Read review
Advantages: Comfortable, Friendly Staff Disadvantages: None I could find
...hotel I chose was the Crowne Plaza at Dublin Airport. The main reason was that it is part of the Six Continents hotel group, and I have a “Priority Club card” so I get points for staying, which I can use for free nights in any of the groups hotels.
** Getting there **
From the airport, I found a Hotel information board, from here I could ring the hotel and request a pick up. The receptionist explained where the courtesy ... ...finish up.
Crowne Plaza – Dublin Airport
Northwood Park
Santry Demesne
Santry
Dublin 9
Republic of Ireland
+ 353 1862 8888
www.cpdublin-airport.com
Thanks for reading this – If you want to stay somewhere just outside of Dublin City centre, and you want to be spoilt, I would thoroughly recommend this place. Ok it is not a budget hotel by a long way, but if you book early ... more
Over the Easter holiday I had to work in Dublin, so I needed somewhere to stay. I wanted to be close to the airport, as I had a flight to catch quite early in the morning after I finished work.
The hotel I chose was the Crowne Plaza at Dublin Airport. The main reason was that it is part of the Six Continents hotel group, and I have a “Priority Club card” so I get points for staying, which I can use for free nights in any of the groups hotels.
** Getting there **
From the airport, I found a Hotel information board, from here I could ring the hotel and request a pick up. The receptionist explained where the courtesy bus picks up from, and asked me to go there and wait. About 15 minutes later the hotel courtesy bus arrived. The driver was really friendly, and greeted me like a long lost friend.
When we arrived at the hotel, I was surprised by the ornate gates we drove through; the driver explained that the hotel was built in 160 acres of parkland
When we pulled up the concierge was straight out, and into the back of the bus to get my bags, he seemed a bit surprised when he saw my big metal box that I’ve carrying round Europe!
** Going in **
Walking across the marbled threshold and through the automatic doors, suddenly I was in Japan! Or that was the impression I got. The whole foyer area was polished black. I got the impression that the hotel hadn’t been open that long, as everything smelt fresh and new. To the left was reception, to the right the bar (shut) and a coffee lounge. Between the reception area and the coffee lounge was a massive fish tank, with lots of happy looking fish swimming around. Straight on was the main restaurant.
Also on this floor were conference rooms, I never saw these, so can’t really comment on them.
** Reception **
I had booked my room on-line through www.priorityclub.com which is the web site for holders of the six continents hotels loyalty card, so I was welcomed very warmly. The fact I had a card, I was automatically upgraded to a “Club” room. To be honest I don’t really care one way or the other, I just needed somewhere to sleep before I went to work, and when I got back in the morning. The registration process was really simple, as I had booked on-line, they had all my details, so I just had to fill in a registration card. I was asked if I wanted a wake up call, or a newspaper. When I explained I was working that night, the concierge asked if I wanted the box I had with me left in the baggage room, I thought that was a nice thoughtful touch (or maybe he realised how heavy it was after carrying it in from the bus and wanted no more to do with it!)
The receptionist pointed out the restaurants, the bar (not that I could use it!) and where the lifts were.
I also asked about getting a taxi that night to take me to where I needed to work, the receptionist booked one right away
** The law **
As I was staying here on Good Friday, I was surreptitiously given a letter. Reading it, I was informed that due to the licensing laws in Ireland I couldn’t use the bar, if I wanted an alcoholic drink, it was either through room service, or in the restaurant with a meal. As I was working, it really didn’t affect me.
** The Rooms **
This hotel boasts 204 rooms, I was on the 4th floor. To get to it I used the lift. This really confirmed to me that the hotel was new – the lift was immaculate, polished wood, no dents in any of it! On each side of the lift was a video screen, advertising various parts of the hotel – mainly the restaurant! The lift was a really smooth ride. There was a recorded voice telling you which floor you were on.
My room was a “Club” room what ever that might mean! Access to the room is via a key card, which is pretty much standard throughout the hotel industry. Once in the room, there was a box on the wall to put the key card in, this turned on the power to the room.
As I mentioned earlier, the hotel had a Japanese feel to it, and this theme was carried on into the rooms.
All furniture was polished black and light oak coloured. Everything had doors on, the TV, the wardrobe, the mirror! The doors are polished black, with an insert with lots of square holes in (I’m sure there is a technical term for this!). I thought it all looked really expensive, and certainly not tacky!
To the right as you walk in are some wardrobes, opening them up, there was an iron, and ironing board, and towelling bath robes. There was plenty of hanging space, and a small draw for your smalls!
Next to the wardrobe behind doors is the room safe, and trouser press!
Opposite that is the bathroom, this had to one of the best hotel bathrooms I have seen for a long time. The shower was massive. You could adjust the showerhead to give various types of wash, from a gentle tickle, to a full sand blast! The sink is like nothing on earth, standing on a knee high glass plinth, is flowerpot shaped, looks really trendy! The loo and the bath are standard. There was a supply of toiletries, such as soaps and shampoos, there was a notice saying that if you have forgotten anything, reception could supply it. There were also some scales, and I could swear they need recalibrating :-( There was also a hair drier.
The bed is next, this was pure Japan, from the massive picture of the lily above the headboard, to the rolls for putting behind your neck. I would say you could have got 4 people quite comfortably on the bed, any more and it would have been fun :-)
The TV is opposite the bed, behind its doors. From the TV screen, you can access various guest services, and pay per view channels. There were about 20 “normal” channels, of which some were radio. You could also access high speed Internet 4.99 Euros an Hour! Or play games. (I was working through the night, so didn’t watch any TV) Under the TV was another cupboard – this had the mini bar in – As a rule I never use mini bars in hotels There was also a kettle, plenty of tea/coffee/milk and 2 packs of biscuits. (There was also some chocolate by the bed, and two complementary bottles of mineral water.
There was a desk area, with a large leather office chair, and broadband access 7 Euros/hour, this is access through the telephone, in the room guest book, it gives clear instructions on how to set this up.
From my window (4th floor) there were views over a “Japanese” garden, an in the distance some hills. You could also see part of the car park, and part of an industrial estate.
There was also an armchair in the room, which was very comfortable.
I’ve stayed in hotels where they try to cram everything into the room, so they can say they’ve got this or that. This hotel seems to get everything in but without compromising on the luxurious feel to the room.
The room has its own air-conditioning controls, so you can set it up as you require, I found it to be really easy to use.
On the desk is the hotel guide, it tells you everything you need to know about the hotel, what services and facilities they offer. It is a neatly laid out book, and very comprehensive.
** Eating and Drinking **
AS mentioned, it was Good Friday, so the bar “Cinnabar” was shut :-( No Guinness for me then! As I was working that night it wasn’t a problem!
As I was in a “Club” room, I was given access to the “Club Lounge” on the same floor as my room. To access the lounge you use your key-card. You then go into a really nice relaxing area, there is a fridge with various drinks in, soft and alcoholic, there is also tea and coffee facilities, and a serving area where I was reliably informed you can get nibbles!
The lounge also has workstations, so you can access the Internet. There are tables and chairs if you want to hold meetings, and a “soft area” where you can watch TV. There are also a number of books magazines and newspapers for you to read.
Separating the Kitchen area from the main area is a large fish tank, this is carrying on the theme from the foyer.
The best thing I found about this lounge are the views across the parkland. You can see nothing but trees, the lake and grass! Very relaxing!
Inca – Is a bistro type area next to reception. From here you can buy bagels, ciabatta, panini, wraps, teas and coffees. There are lots of comfortable sofa type chairs. There is also a “bar” type area where you can sit. All the rolls, sandwiches etc. are made to order. I bought a wrap, with chicken, salad and tortilla chip for 4.5 Euros – I’ll admit it was a very large wrap!
The main restaurant caters in “Californian/Asian cuisine” I never ate there, but it was very busy. Starters were from 5 Euros, main meals from 8 Euros. The whole atmosphere seemed to be very relaxed.
The main restaurant is where breakfast is served. This is a self serve breakfast bar. They have cereals, fresh fruit, and the traditional fully cooked (the price of this was actually included in my room rate) but for breakfast it was 12 Euros.
The food I saw (and had) was really well presented. The staff brings tea or coffee to your table. The thing I really liked was the fact that they bought a jug of hot water for the tea; you don’t often find that in hotels.
** Other facilities **
There is a fitness suite which contains some basic equipment, such as bikes, running machine and weights. You can also use the park land, where there are walks and a couple of running routes. I never used any of this!
There are also a number of conference suites, seating anything from 2 to 200!
** Security **
One thing I do need to point out. I finished work at 3am, and got a taxi back to the hotel. The doors were locked, so the night porter had to let me in. Before she would let me go any further, she asked my room number, and check on her computer system, she then asked my name to verify that I was who I said I was, I was then let in. So they seem to have a good security system in place.
** Leaving **
Checking out is really easy, I just went to reception, they checked my bill, took my credit card, and that was it. There were no queues, I was dealt with in a totally unflustered way. I then waited about 10 minutes for the courtesy bus which took me back to the airport.
** How much **
The published rates for the rooms are as follows, they are all in Euros Superior rooms single 265, double 295 Club rooms single 315, double 345 and Suites from 425
I never paid anywhere close to those prices 165 Euros booked on-line 1 week before I travelled (including breakfast), it is certainly worth shopping around, as you can get some good deals. If you are doing a touring holiday of Ireland, this might be a good place to start from or finish up.
Crowne Plaza – Dublin Airport Northwood Park Santry Demesne Santry Dublin 9 Republic of Ireland + 353 1862 8888 www.cpdublin-airport.com
Thanks for reading this – If you want to stay somewhere just outside of Dublin City centre, and you want to be spoilt, I would thoroughly recommend this place. Ok it is not a budget hotel by a long way, but if you book early enough, you can certainly get a good deal on the room prices.
