McEniff Skylon Hotel, Dublin

Generally speaking, when it comes to special occasions like weddings, I always end up driving. But on this occasion, I put my foot down. I simply could not be bothered to drive back from Dublin, and more importantly, not be able to have a drink.

Money comes into my descisions, more and more these days. I would have loved to have been able to afford to stay in a fancy-pants hotel, and be waited on hand and foot. Mr Brown, has caused ...
...the knot may never come out. So I was more in the market for an economy hotel.

Parking is a huge problem in Dublin, and so I was looking for a hotel with free parking. I could have got many hotels, right down in the city centre, for a decent price. However, city centre hotels will not have parking, but rather get you in cheap to the local multi-story. You will end up spending around twenty euros a night to park your car!

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Generally speaking, when it comes to special occasions like weddings, I always end up driving. But on this occasion, I put my foot down. I simply could not be bothered to drive back from Dublin, and more importantly, not be able to have a drink.

Money comes into my descisions, more and more these days. I would have loved to have been able to afford to stay in a fancy-pants hotel, and be waited on hand and foot. Mr Brown, has caused our purse strings to become so tight, that I fear the knot may never come out. So I was more in the market for an economy hotel.

Parking is a huge problem in Dublin, and so I was looking for a hotel with free parking. I could have got many hotels, right down in the city centre, for a decent price. However, city centre hotels will not have parking, but rather get you in cheap to the local multi-story. You will end up spending around twenty euros a night to park your car!

That said, I knew from previous stays, that it worked out cheaper to stay on the outskirts of Dublin, and either walk in, get the bus, or a taxi. I would not suggest driving through the city either, especially if your driving is as bad as mine! On previous trips, I remember driving by the Skylon, and thinking it would be quite well situated. So, on this occasion I looked up the website.

The website looked ok, and was easy to navigate. It said all the right things (though It would be a rather useless website if it told you the hotel was rubbish.), and the rates could not be beaten. They were quoting 84eoro for the night without breakfast. The breakfast did not bother me too much, as I was not planning to be up too early the next day, but you could add this on at any stage if you changed your mind. Also, the parking was free.So, we booked. We did not even have to pay a deposit.

The day came, and after work we ditched the kids with the babysitter (my mum.), and set off for Dublin. I live in northern ireland, yet the drive down only took aroun two hours. I knew where I was going, so for a change the trip was relatively stress free. We were, however quite tired from the drive. We got parked easily in the grounds of the hotel, and entered. Initially, I was really impressed. A lot of time and effort has obviously been spent on the lobby, and the large and spacious bar. The lobby was huge, and nicely decorated. It looked clean, and business-like, but at the same time it had homely touches. Large, comfy couches were everywhere, and there was a massive tv in the corner. Unfortunately, we were only there for the night, and did not have as much time as we would have liked to take in all the amenities. I did, however, notice that there was a PC that you could use, as well as free wi-fi for your laptops. Brief discussion with guests, led me to believe that the service was good, and the internet connection was fast.

As we approached the desk, I noticed that the hotel seemed understaffed, compared to where I have stayed before. One girl was at reception, and I could see bar staff. Apart from that there was no-one. The girl at the desk seemed snowed under, and it took her a long time to get to us. I wasn't annoyed by this, as it was not her fault, but it wasn't helping us get to the wedding reception any faster! She was pleasant, and quick with the transaction. The usual swipe of the debit card incurred. She said that this was in case we needed room service, but we all know she was checking I was good for it. Luckily, on this occasion, I was!

We were told how to get to our room, but no other assistance was offered. This was a bit annoying, as my wife has arthritis, and assistance would have been nice. We took the lift, and when it opened, my good view of the hotel started to fade. Suddenly, I was in the film 'The shining'. Horrible patterend carpets were everywhere. The receptionist did not warn me that the lift was actually a TRADIS, and that we had gone back a few decades on the ascent. Also, it was noticeable that the upstairs of the hotel was not as well looked after, as the stunning lobby. Perhaps, this was to do with the credit crunch, but not as much money was being spent on upkeep, as there should have been.

The room was opened by the key-card, that had been given to us at reception. It was easy to open, and you then use that card to switch on the electricity. When it came on, so did the extractor fan from the en-suite. It was quite loud, and I could see how it would grate on you after a while. The room was quite large, but the furnishings were very old fashioned. Although mahagany in colour, the wardrobes, bedside tables, and the dressing table were cheap looking. The room was also a bit dusty. There was a small lcd tv on the wall, but on searching the room, there was no remote. I did not bother to chase this up, as we were in a rush.

In contrast to the rather bleak looking room, the bathroom was shockingly bright, and rather too clinical looking. It was small, and had a small bath with a shower in it. Plenty of towels, and the usual toiletries. It just looked like it had not been changed in thirty years. Functional, if a little laboured. We changed, and while I was waiting on my wife getting ready, I made coffe using the usual facilities. There was lots of tea, coffee, sugar. Those little hard biscuits that you get in hotels, and two cups. However, there was not a teaspoon in sight.

There was a trouser press, and a hairdryer. I do doubt, however, that they would pass electrical testing. As for the TV, by this stage I had worked out how to switch it on. Unfortunately, it come on at full volume, and scared the ..... Well, I'll not tell you what it scared out of me, but it was very loud!

When we were ready to leave, we travelled a few centuries forward again in the TARDIS, and arrived in the lobby. We asked the receptionist to phone a taxi for us, which she did straight away. While we waited, we strolled into the bar, which had the biggest tv I have ever seen, and generally looked a nice place to be. The only down side, was the tv was delayed, in comparison to the tv in the lobby, both of which could be heard at the same time.

The taxi to the city centre cost us 14euro, though I am told a bus would cost 2.20euro. The hotel is five minutes drive from the centre of dublin, ten minutes by bus, or if you are feeling fit, you could walk it in half an hour. It is two mile from the centre, and two miles from the airport. If you are going over for sport, it is really close to Croke Park.

When we got back to the hotel in the wee small hours, we were met by the extractor fan. We got changed as quickly as possible, just so we could switch the damn thing off. I did not dare try the tv again. The room was nice and quiet, until at four in the morning the fire alarms went off! It sounded like one of those air raid sirens, and thoroughly ruined my nights sleep.

In the morining, we got up and went down to the lobby to check-out. I am not a complainer, so I just paid up without a word. Although we did not choose the breakfast, being a commited reviewer, I dawdled down to see what it looked like. The room was funtional, if not fashionable. The breakfasts looked really tasty, but the room was too dirty for me to eat in. Certainly not unhealthily so, but it was not to the standard I usually maintain. My descision not to have the breakfast was vindicated.

I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for. Perhaps I am being harsh, as it is a budget hotel. However, it was awarded three stars and I do not think it deserves them. Last year I stayed in the Regency Airport hotel, which is only a stones throw from the Skylon. It is also a three star, but it is twice the hotel the skylon is. Its rates, are not too bad either. The hotel was bearable, as we were only using it as a place to sleep. I would not reccomend to anyone that they stay for too long. The sound of that extractor fan everyday would drive me mad. Its ok (ish.) as a short stopper, and in fairness you will not find cheaper. Overall, though it is a poorer alternative. If Gordon Brown has not taken all your money already, then spend a few extra quid and stay somewhere else!!!  

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