sugarmaple

I'm looking at both the Trinity Capitol, Pearse St., and the Kingfisher Guesthouse, O'Connell and Henry, for two nights, Saturday and Sunday in September. Apparently, there's some conference going on, and Dublin's pretty full.

Trinity Capital is 129E/night and Kingfisher is 84E/night, so that's a substantial difference.

Neither has breakfast, but both have restaurants on site, although we're not likely to opt to pay hotel prices for breakfast, just try to grab a quick bit somewhere else.

I think both have good locations, different sides of the river, but is one better than the other?

We're not looking to be smack dab in the middle of a loud party area. Is one area safer than the other?

Any preferences?

Thanks.

Tony2phones

Dublin is a safe city on world scale. I would avoid staying in Temple Bar on the weekends but that's about it.

The Kingfisher looks to be accommodation over their Restaurant on the main St. The Trinity is over the river and a typical Dublin Hotel.

Its not often we stay in Dublin, usually only meeting visitors or dropping them off. The Maldron Hotel in Smithfield is our usual choice, northwest, facing the Old Jamesons Distillery and over the bridge from the Brazen Head pub 2 minutes walk from the Lucas line into the city centre.

Tony2phones

The Maldron Parnell Square might also be an option?

http://www.maldronhotels.com/summerc...FQJP4Qod_m8Amw

sugarmaple

How is Parnell Sq. in terms of general vibe, ie. quiet and residential, shopping and busy, dodgy or seedy, gentrified, restaurants? Is there more happening on one side of the river than the other?

I'm guessing it's about a 10-15 minute walk to get over the river. That's not a problem, especially if there are a lot of people out walking.

Tony2phones

Parnell Sq is probably the most northern "tourist area" but is on a bus route into the centre. It would not be seedy or gentrified just verging on the suburbs. I am not a Dublin expert but I can say there is a North/South of the river prejudice by the locals depending on which side the river they have allegiance too. for me Dublin is Dublin just like any other city in any other country.

Padraig

Parnell Square is okay - mostly faded grandeur, with second-rate Georgian buildings now used as offices. It also has a good art gallery, a handsome church, a maternity hospital with a history, a good theatre, and my favourite Dublin restaurant. But I could take you 100-200m from the square, and land you in neighbourhoods suitable only for the streetwise.

[I'm a southsider married to a northsider, which means that my prejudices are moderated.]

sugarmaple

Maybe I'll just keep my reservation at the Trinity Capital.

I understand the divide issue - here it's east/west!