After travelling by car around Ireland, we will need to drop our rental car back at Dublin airport. We will have 2 nights in Dublin, however will have a very early morning flight out at 6.45am should we:

- Drop car off at Airport and stay at an Airport hotel the 2 nights and just commute into Dublin for sightseeing each day OR
- Drop car off at Airport, travel into City centre and stay 2 nights in a city hotel and catch an early morning taxi to airport (how long will this trip take?) OR
- Drop car off at Airport, stay 1 night in a city hotel and then 1 night at an airport hotel (must admit least attractive idea).

Any suggestion? or experiences?

I would drop the car then stay 2 nights in the city. Travel by taxi to the airport early am is not that far so short trip no traffic.

Definitely stay in town.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I have looked at some hotels in the city centre. They are quite expensive. Any recommendations? Good locations? Near Grafton street? Parnell street?

Thank you in anticipation

If you decide that the Dublin city hotels are outside of your budget, consider staying in Malahide that has quick and easy access to the airport (no more than a 10 - 15 minute drive) and also has quick and easy access to Dublin via the DART. We have done this on both of our trips to Dublin, paying around 35 euros per person per night for a nice B&B in Malahide.

You didn't say when you will be in Dublin, but if uni is not in session, Trinity provides dorm rooms as B&B. You can get ensuite rooms or a double/twin that shares a bathroom with one other room (you do go into the hall but not far).
Something different to consider. And the location is prime.

Thank you for your suggestions. I have also been looking at a few in city hotels.

- Best Western Plus academy Plaza Hotel....also....
- Buswells hotel

Any thoughts?

I'd stay away from Parnell Street and O'Connell Streets at night - so that's the first one discounted. Buswell's is an old-fashioned hotel with a great location - it's opposite the Dáil (Parliament) buildings on Kildare Street so it's frequently buzzing with politicians and journalists. You haven't mentioned what your budget is - that would be helpful for hotel recommendations.

ter2000 thanks for you reply. I guess budget would be up to about 130 euro per night.
Would like to stay somewhere central. But not too noisy at night. We will be in Dublin on the 15/16th September, which will be a Saturday & Sunday night with an early flight out on Monday morning.
Why do you recommend staying away from Parnell & O'Connell Sts? I do not know the area at all.
Unfortunately Buswells does not have any vacancy for the Sunday night.

Anywhere around Parnell Street/O'Connell Street/Gardiner Street is very rough after dark - even during the day you need to keep your wits about you. Not recommended. Trinity Lodge guesthouse (www.trinitylodge.com) has a good location and is within your budget. You could also try Jury's Inn, Christchurch - www.jurysinns.com. A little bit outside the city centre, but still within walking distance, you could try the D4 hotels - www.d4hotels.ie . In the same area, Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge is a little outside your budgete but might be worth checking out - www.bewleyshotels.com .

Thanks ter - Bewleys does look nice 149e p/n. They had an offer for their Airport hotel for 69e p/n. Just a thought given that we have an early morning departure on our last day. Would it be worth staying at the airport hotel and catching a taxi back from town at night after sightseeing and dining? We won't be night clubbing but maybe enjoying some pub and music ambiance in the evenings.

Just a thought. But I don't mind paying for "in town" if the location far outways costs.

Aussie, We stayed at the Trinity Capital Hotel on Pearse Street near Trinity College. We had a basic double room and found it very comfortable for our 4 night stay Sept 2010. I thought our rate was under 100 euros per night. We could walk from there to most places of interest. We did take the Hop On and Off bus for two days of our stay. I think I went through their website for the best rate rather than booking.com that we often use for hotels. Deborah

Buswells is great. I stayed my last night last trip at the Clarion at the airport. You have to be there really early, if going to the states like 3 hours early.

Thank you all for your suggestions.
Deborah I have looked at Trinity Capital and they look quite good.
I appreciate the ideas and suggestions will look at booking in the next week.