Dublin is one of the cheapest and most convenient places to start a transatlantic flight in business class. I was starting a £1100 BA fare to Palm Springs with AA/BA and needed to spend the night at the airport due to an early flight the next day. I have found most airport hotels in Dublin to be dated and overpriced. I stayed at the Hilton Dublin Airport a few months ago, and it was still very dated. It’s exactly the same as it was the first time I stayed there, about 8 years ago. I had heard better things about the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport, so I opted to book a Club room as I had time to kill and the Club rooms looked less dated. I have also stayed at the Premier Inn, which was also tired-looking at the time but comfortable enough.
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Location
The hotel is only around 7 minutes from the airport with a free shuttle every 30 minutes 24 hours a day. Sadly, if you arrive in Terminal 2, it’s a long walk to the coach park, and that takes longer than the coach itself. However, all the airport hotel coaches leave from here. I arrived just as the coach was leaving the car park, but the driver very kindly stopped by the barrier and helped me on with my luggage. He also helped me at the other end, which was very impressive.
Check-in
The coach pulled up at exactly 3pm, and there was only one person on check-in who appeared to be dealing with something complicated. As a group of people had got off the coach, quite a queue formed, but eventually someone else arrived and checked me in. I had deliberately booked a Club room as I had time to kill and had fancied having a few drinks and snacks in the lounge.
I was told at check-in I was told the lounge was closed for renovation. Given there was nothing on the website and no email from the hotel, I think this is very poor. It’s not like it was a sudden emergency. The compensation was also particularly lacklustre with a single glass of wine or beer and some snacks that could be had in the bar instead. Talk about stingy! I would not expect unlimited drinks, but one is ridiculous compared to a lounge. I am Gold Elite in IHG Rewards, but no upgrade was offered.
I presume you would also get breakfast in the restaurant included, but since I was leaving too early, I did not probe any further. Had the room been identical to the standard room I would have asked to downgrade and get the money back, but they are nicer rooms at least.
The Room
The room had a very strong smell of men’s aftershave when I walked in, but luckily this dissipated after a while. The room was a decent size with a large desk area and a single, comfortable chair and footstool, which is fine if you’re traveling alone, but not great for a couple.
The decor appeared fairly modern, although it had been this way since before COVID, so it was at least 6 years old. There were lots of sockets with USB ports by the bed and US and European sockets by the desk, as well as two UK ones, which were handy for multiple device charging before a long day of flying.
There was a proper coffee machine, a kettle, as well as some biscuits, and two large bottles of still water. By the lift on each floor is a water station with still and sparkling water, which I think every hotel should adopt, as well as supplying a glass bottle or carafe to fill up.
An empty fridge was also available with proper glasses and did not make any discernible noise.
The room had proper air conditioning, which was working, and the bed was very comfortable. There was a bit of noise from housekeeping next door, who had the radio on loudly during the day, and the sound of slamming doors in the corridor. Unfortunately, the soundproofing was not good, and I had very loud neighbours that I could hear every word they shouted along with their shrieking child. Weirdly the talking continued all night at random intervals.
The bathroom was a little dated, but it had a large shower and a separate bath. I did like that they had liquid hand wash, which I prefer to soap, and their products had a neutral scent. It’s a shame the hand lotion was screwed to the wall but at this level of hotel, I would probably expect that.
In the shower the products were also large containers screwed to the wall. Apotheke is not a brand I’m familiar with, as I rarely stay at Crowne Plazas. The products did the job with a light fresh scent but I did find them a bit drying.
Facilities
There is a restaurant for breakfast and a bar, which was also serving a full food menu with table service at the back, when I was there. Room service was also available 24/7 which I think is essential for an airport hotel.
The “snacks” were quite substantial, but all chicken, so not good if you are a vegetarian.
If you need to print out your boarding pass or anything else there is a small business centre with a printer and a computer.
There is also a fitness centre.
The Price
I had originally booked a flexible rate, but the price dropped substantially closer to the time, so I rebooked three days before and saved €50. I paid £140 for the Club room, which for Dublin is not bad. Prices for a standard room start from around £130 on an advance booking non-refundable rate. If you want to redeem points the price was 34,000 at the time of my stay.
Conclusion
The room was perfectly acceptable for an airport hotel with a few nice touches as a Club Room. The shuttle is handy, although it is a long walk from T2, where Aer Lingus and BA fly from, but I was impressed with how helpful the bus driver was. I would probably choose this over the Hilton as the bed was much more comfortable and the rooms more modern. However, the lack of soundproofing (I could even hear every cough) was a real concern if you had an early flight.
If you are interested in booking this hotel or any others, get in touch with our Travel Experts at Winged Boots for a quote here.
1 comment
Michele, can I ask how you found such a good fare to Palm Springs? I’ve got friends there, so I usually visit once or twice a year – and it’d be great to get a deal like that. Did you fly via SFO?