Bad hotel in Dublin

If the hotel wasn't to your liking, and it's recommended by Rick Steve's then you may want to email ETBD so they make a note when they go back to check things out for next year's guide. That said...Sure a hotel can hire more cleaning staff to clean rooms faster for earlier check-ins. But the cost of that additional staffing is passed down to the guests in the form of higher room rates. Most people pick a hotel based on price and then location. If the hotel was in Dublin, then UK Nigel is definitely not "schilling for the locals" in the Republic.

Obviously the world knows the UK is not Ireland, but there is considerable exchange in commerce and people between the two nations. The reply to my review was unusually defensive of the hotel shortcomings. My comment stands. The hotel is free to hire or not hire as it pleases. Locating amongst noisy machinery and neighbors, not a problem. It must be disclosed however to guests. And of course guests, if they've been misled, are free to leave the hotel and cancel all room charges originating at that hotel. I would encourage all readers of this, who feel they've been misled in a hotel transaction, to do the same! Thanks for the tip on notifying Rick Steves. Will do.

Mike, I'm sorry to hear of your unhappiness. Don't you carry earplugs? For all centre city stays we always have them with us. You really can't blame the hotel because rubbish trucks start early - you'll have that everywhere. I was thinking about the early cleaning of the rooms. Have you ever arrived at a hotel earlier than the 2 or 3 pm official check in time and hoped they had a room ready? Even early in the day? I would have thought that was a service rather than a "ripp off (sic)".

I carry earplugs. Regarding the maid servicing and room checks at 6:45 am, your explanation ignores the fact that this is a cost saving measure. With more staff, the hotel could handily meet any cleaning deadlines with reasonable cleaning hours. I travel extensively, use Rick Steve's guides, and never have experienced the level of noise and ignorance of guest comfort like that dealt out at the Fleet Street Hotel in Dublin! Stayed in ten different hotels during this month long trip. The Fleet Street was the worst. The rest, from Paris to Dublin were good experiences and as Rick described them. One turkey out of ten isn't bad. Noticed you're based in the UK, not shilling for the locals are we?

How was Nigel's reply "unusually defensive"?

Nope, never been to Ireland; not even Northern Ireland. I've only gotten as close as Wales 3 or 4 times. I'm only only on speaking terms with one lodging owner - and he's been out of the business for nearly 5 years, and he lives a couple of hundred miles east of me not west. All my comments are based on experience. I've never "shilled" for anyone. My credibility is rarely questioned. My word is my bond. If you had read any of my other posts you would know that.

You stayed in Templebar. I feel bad for you Mike, mostly cause people very example to people visiting Dublin how that neighborhood is at night, more so how it is Thursday-Saturday night. Everyone comes into the city to drink and party and when the pub closes they stay in the street drinking. This isn't just the Irish doing it, it's many of nationalities. It's a family/artist friendly neighborhood during the day and a party places at night. The closes inside Templebar that I've stayed was a hostel called Kinlay House (€12 a night) and it was so cheap I didn't care.

*never not very (new iPad)

Thanks for the heads up Mike, it does sound like a nightmare. You've had better luck with RS recommended hotels than I have. I haven't liked most of the ones we've stayed in, so I've stopped reading his recs. I use Trip Advisor, much more reliable than Rick imo.

Sarah and Susan,

Mike took his trip over 18 months ago. This is an old thread.

You're so right Nancy... aaargh... missed that.