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2026 Dublin hotel recommendation and car viability

Hi,
This will be our third trip to Ireland, and we're focusing on the north this time. Our B and B's are all booked (we used some of Rick's guidebook suggestions). We'll wind up the trip in Dublin in June, 2026. I'm getting sticker shock looking at hotel prices! There is very little under $300 / night, especially near St. Stephens Green. We're meeting some folks who are staying at the Iveagh Gardens Hotel, but there's no parking there. Is it even worth it to bring our rental car into the city, or should we just drop it at the airport and taxi into the city? We'd prefer a hotel with AC and a lift, if at all possible, with parking very nearby, if we decide to keep our car. It'd be easier to stay at Iveagh, but one review said the nearest car park was a 10 minute walk away. We are 65+, so hauling our bags from that distance seems like a hassle.

We were last in Dublin probably 10 years ago and rented a RS-recommended family room with our kids at a B and B on the outskirts of Dublin, so we've never stayed right in the city before. In a forum post from last year, I read about Camden Court Hotel, Baggot's Court Townhouse, and Buswell's. Anyone else have any hidden jewel hotel recs, and insight on managing a car downtown? Thanks!

Posted by
1645 posts

Downtown Dublin and rental car are not compatible. Return it to the airport and take the convenient express bus into downtown. We stayed at Buswell's. It was a great location. Older hotel, but had an elevator.

Posted by
3206 posts

Having a car in central Dublin is indeed more of a hassle than it's worth. Drop it at the airport.

Posted by
173 posts

When we went to Dublin May 2023, we stayed at the Ariel House. They have cooked to order breakfast included, parking on premises and located less than a half hour's walking distance to St. Stephens Green. I agree with other posters in that I wouldn't bring a car into the downtown.

Posted by
899 posts

We stayed at Buswells in 2024 and no rooms had AC and many rooms aren't accessed by elevator. You will need to ask for a room with lift available. Rooms should have fans although ours was completely ineffective at moving any air from the tiny window. Very stuffy and warm even in May....and strangely the radiator in the bathroom was always warm even when they said they turned it off.

Posted by
19 posts

Thanks so much for the replies! We’ve decided to drop our car at the airport and take the bus into the city center, as you all have suggested. After a lot of research, we settled on The Marlin Hotel due to its location and the fact that it has AC and a lift. Looking forward to being in Ireland again!