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Crazy high hotel prices = trying to book too far in advance?? (hotel near Dublin Airport in August)

Posted by (Oregon, USA) on

I am a huge fan of booking everything far in advance. I already booked all our Airbnb's months ago for our trip to Ireland in August, but for the last night I wanted an actual hotel, since our flight leaves early in the morning and I don't want to worry about cleaning up like I would with an Airbnb (also, easier check out!)

The issue is that I'm getting rather outrageous prices for my date (Aug 25)... which I'm hoping is because it's so far in advance. We're talking over $250 for a double-bed, budget room, for one night. Does anyone know if this is actually the price because it's the middle of tourism season?? Or is it just too far in advance and I should bide my time and book a few weeks before?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I never use hotels... I'm an Airbnb gal all the way. So any advice is very appreciated. I am trying to find alternate options like family-run B&Bs, but then there comes the issue that they don't provide airport shuttles, and the bus schedule shows that on Sundays the buses don't run at 5am in the morning like we would need.

Any input is welcome!

Posted by
8886 posts

I just checked the Premier Inn Dublin Airport. Cost of a room for August 24 was 86 euros. No room availability for August 25th . August 26th 52 euros. It seems to me that the problem is not that you are trying to book too far in advance, rather that there is something occuring on the 25th that has already snatched up hotel room availability. In fact, you may have left it too late.......

Posted by
7161 posts

I wouldn't worry about a shuttle to the airport. Get a less expensive hotel or Airbnb less than 10 miles from the airport and spend a few € for a taxi. There is a time to splurge on a taxi and this would be one of them.

Posted by
439 posts

Have you tried a B&B in the area, Malahide, Portmarnock (sp?)? Take a taxi? I think the taxi would be about 20euros

Posted by
21160 posts

Saturday night big demand indicates some kind of huge sports or entertainment event on Saturday that is drawing in a ton of people for one night.
A quick look at booking.com shows a few rooms available at Trinity College in the center of Dublin for $100 US. Take the Aircoach to Dublin Airport from there. Buses every 15 minutes 4:30 am to midnight, every 30 minutes at other times.

Posted by
11294 posts

A quick Google found the reason for the high prices:

Dublin, Ireland, has been chosen by Pope Francis to host the next World Meeting of Families from 21-26 August 2018, guided by the theme “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World”.

...

Saturday 25 August 2018, a Festival of Families, comprising a reflective concert style event within a prayerful and joyful atmosphere, in which personal stories of faith will be shared by families from all continents.

More details here: http://www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/About/About-WMOF2018

So, grab anything you can, and be prepared to pay way over normal prices for what's left.

Posted by
72 posts

Try a B&B? There are several on Drumcondra Rd Upper. On the bus route into the city as well as the airport. A couple of pubs within walking distance. (The Ivy House was good.)

Posted by
23 posts

Thank you everyone! Wow I had no idea about that event, this all makes sense now.
I found a B&B and am in process of making the reservation with the owner via email. 79 euros! 😎

About the transport: we'll just keep our rental car the extra 8 hours and return it in the morning instead. I thought it would save me a day's $$ to return the night before, but apparently that's now how days are counted! I'm not complaining...

Posted by
409 posts

Yes, the Pope is coming!

However, when Springsteen was there, I couldn't get a hotel under 300 euros a night!

Dublin has less hotels than last year; and tourism is UP drastically. Prices are high; they are gouging and it's the common chat when you talk to people in the tourism industry. I rarely stay IN Dublin any more. We stay in Athy and take the train in. Any smaller town/village on the outskirts is preferable to paying Dublin prices....

Susan
Expat in Waterville/Skellig Coast.

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