I have read all previous postings about hotels in Dublin and I am still confused. I am a fiesty 60 year old traveling with my 26 year old son. We will both want to have some fun in the evenings but don't know if I want to actually stay in the party district. Planned on using public transportation for the 3 nights in Dublin.

So, I throw it out to you experts again: Temple Bar area, St. Stephens Green, or elsewhere? Is there a rec for a unique hotel that is centrally located and has restaurants/pubs either in it or around it? We are looking to spend less than $200 a night and clean is more important than fancy. The ideal place would be quirky and interesting rather than stuffy or plain.

Thanks in advance for any current advice you can offer!

We stayed at The Fitzwilliam on St Stephens. The location was good. The food, design, decor, service were world class and simply under-stated. I have rarely encountered a hotel that made you feel so comfortable.

http://www.fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com/index.html

It was 5 years ago and things may have changed but this probably says that the standards are still high.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...ty_Dublin.html

I can't recommend a hotel that fits your description but I would not want to stay in the Temple Bar area. It was incredibly active and loud at night and would make sleeping difficult.

Got a rate of €120 pn double room in May at the Conrad Hotel on Earlsfort Terrace which is just off St Stephens Green, although I doubt if the rate is still as good.
Just around the corner is Hartigans pub, which does not do the Victorian old boozer type decor - in fact there's hardly any decor at all, come to think of it.....
A little further away - turn right at the Shelbourne Hotel - and you drop into Donoughues on Merrion Row, straight onwards to Doheny and Nesbits (you're now on Baggot St) then stagger across the street into Toners.
Sorry, I forgot it was a hotel you were looking for. Mind went wandering there. Wouldn't recommend Temple Bar area as its too noisy. Jury's Inn in Christchurch is near enough to the area though and you can drop into the Lord Edward before setting off for the Long Hall in George's St and then over to the Stag's Head..... Oh dear,mind gone wandering again.

Thank you all for the information. I had a good time envisioning myself wandering the streets that SeeDee recommended. The trip is currently postponed again because everytime I get ready to book, the volcano ash threatens to close airports. We should be traveling in the next two or three weeks. If anyone else wants to offer advice about hotels, I would be most grateful.

Jurys Inn Parnell Street - www.jurysinns.com is very central just off O'Connell Steet but removed from the party district.
However, it is just a standard hotel and may not be very interesting.
You could also check out somewhere like - www.trinitylodge.com - a townhouse / guesthouse place - very central beside Trinity College but on a quiet street.
Also have a look at www.celticlodge.ie - it is on a quiet and very central street. Has a really good restaurant next door - www.leboncrubeen.ie
- irish music - traditional pub type place - good food - informal - not expensive and very good service.

Thank you! These look like very nice places. I am actually booked and leaving on May 20th. Just hope that volcano behaves!

I would not recommend Jury's Inn Parnell Street nor would I stay in Temple Bar personally. I think somewhere around Stephen's Green or close to that area would be close enough to the action but not in the thick of it. I have found the following hotels to be very good when in Dublin and wanting to party a little but relax away from the hubub: Brooks Hotel http://www.brookshotel.ie/ and any of 4 the O'Callaghan hotels http://www.ocallaghanhotels.com/. All of the above hotels are located a stones throw from the action. Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

Some really great bargains in hotels in Dublin at the moment. Try D4 hotels,crazy prices- because of a tax connession they must keep trading, despite loosing money!!(Could only happen in Ireland) My daughter and boyfriend stayed for 32euro a night for the room (2 people), breakfast not incl.These hotels are clean and in a really nice area, safe and about a 5-6 euro taxi fare from centre of city. Public buses at door and close to train service.
Spend what you save on hotel on a really nice meal or something nice to take home!!

I'm Irish but don'e live there but visit quite a lot. I use priceline very successfully. I've had the shelbourne on St. Stephens green for 110 euros.

We stayed at Cassidys Hotel on O'Connell Street. The airport bus stops one block from the hotel. Also, the hop on hop off bus is a block away. We found it convenient to everything.