what is the difference between hotel and guesthouse in Dublin ?
thanks

The simplest answer is that a guesthouse is someone's private home while a hotel is usually owned by a company. (I'd like to add that that is not always the case, though in Dublin it's a a pretty sure thing...)

Also, guesthouses are smaller and feel more like a home because most of them used to be one. Whereas a hotel is (usually) purpose built for having many people stay over.

Many but not all hotels in Ireland also include breakfast in their price (or you can get a "B&B rate" from them) but guesthouses include breakfast in their price unless otherwise stated.

Hope this helps a bit!

wendy

I think Wendy's response was more akin to Hotel vs. B&B. When I think of a GuestHouse I picture a Restaurant & Bar that also has available a number of rooms: like May Kearney's (Ennis) or An Cheibah in Ross a'Veal (Connemara) or the Western Strands Hotel in Belmullet (County Mayo). I think that definition is pretty universal although I've seen some Dublin B&B's on Lower Gardiner St. that call themselves 'GuestHouse.'

Guesthouses tend to be a bit more noisy than simple B&B's because of their Pubs and their associated music, etc.

thanks wendy. it makes sense. do you know the Trinity lodge perhaps ?
NEDSIRELAND, i am not sure about your answer, because non of the popular
guesthouses in Dublin i am checking (trinity lodge, number 31' stauntons on the green kilornan etc.), have arestaurant or pub.
i thougt that it is a matter of bigger loby, resturants, shops. but on my previous tours i was at the Esterea in Amsterdam, and the Caron in Paris, and they didn't have hotel facilities.
more b&b.
so i am still wondering

skaf, When I visited Ireland I stayed at some B&Bs and some guest houses. They are all different!! Some guest houses have a restaurant but others only serve breakfast in the dining room. A hotel should have a bar and restaurant, room service, porter service and maybe an elevator, pool, spa area, exercise room. All the hotels differ to. You need to research to see what each place has. What do you actually need in a place to stay? If it is a nice room with breakfast and you do not care about spas, restaurants and other things a guest house will probably suffice. If you want an elevator, porter to carry your luggage, room service and such like things a hotel will probably be better.

I'm sure Bord Failte has categories for Hotels (2-star to 5-star), Guesthouses, and Bed & Breakfast's. It doesn't look like they regulate what extablishments call themselves unless they have a Bord Failte or other rating (like 3-star or 3-dora).

I describe a traditional European Guest House (GastHaus). I've stayed in many GuestHouses across Europe that meet my description. In some places it would be illegal to call a place of lodging a GuestHouse if it did not have Bar and Restaurant facilities.

In Dublin, I guess they just do as they please.

That's fine with me because I don't plan to go back to Dublin until Ireland does something about its immigration problem and the numbers of homeless people one sees sleeping in the parks and on the street (even O'Connell st.)

Whoa...did not expect the last bit!

Firstly, some B&B's call themselves guesthouses. I think they are a bit bigger than the average B&B. Very few places other than hotels have restaurants and bars. Some pubs have accommodation above the premises ranging from low market to quite upscale.

Now Ned,

Its a bit rich to be critising a place complaining about immigration (not exactly sure what you were complaining about, too many immigrants or how badly they are treated here) I have my suspicions what you were saying and I will not bother to comment on it.

As for homelessness. I have not been to any country in the world that did not have this problem including China. The worst I have seen to be honest was when I was working in NY. One woman lived in the WTC toliets for a few weeks with her two kids. I did not know her situation but all the ladies who were there each day gave her money to help her. Look in your own backyard first to see that these problems exist where you are as well. Hopefull we can see the day that no one is homeless in the world.

I don't think there's a specific definition of what constitutes a 'guesthouse' in Ireland. In my experience, establishments that called themselves 'guesthouses' were a little larger than the average B&B and usually a bit more expensive. The services provided, though, weren't really any different than what you'd find at any B&B. The hotels I've stayed in, on the other hand, were full-service hotels and significantly pricier than B&Bs and guesthouses.
Oh, Ned! I imagine that my Irish-born grandparents were part of America's "immigration problem" many years ago. I'm so glad that someone gave them a chance and that they ended up with grandchildren who are solid citizens and fortunate enough to be able to go back to visit.

Thank you (on both counts)Siobhan.That most accurately explains the hotel / b&b / guesthouse situation.
If a premises is registered with Bord Failte (Irish tourist board) they're classed and graded by BF. If they're not registered, well, they're flexible. I suppose they can do what they want to a certain extent as long they don't breach health and safety or advertising standards.
NEDSIRELAND; So glad you won't be coming back. Personally I'd prefer not to come across any tourist with that condescending attitude.
Please explain what you mean by our immigration problem. As far as I can see, legitimate immigrants are
treated o.k. - cash handouts, accomodation, child benefits, free medical care. What's the problem?
And if you're not going to visit any city or country that has a "problem" with homelessness, then I don't know why you're even on a travel site. There's not a lot of places you'll be able to visit, unless you can find Utopia on that map.

Marc,

You are right about the Bord Failte qualification. I forgot as my aunt had a B&B and said if you are not Bord Failte approved you can call yourself anything you like and many dodgy places do. I stayed in Kinnity, Offaly at a wedding a few weeks ago and the B&B (Lovely) was said to be Board Failte but they had no shamrock sign denoting this. Very nice place and it called itself a guesthouse. I dsoubt they were BF approved as they seemed quite new and you are assessed over a period of time to receive that qualifion.

I think people are still coming over to Ireland thinking we are a bunch of drunken dancing leprechauns. Many areas of the world have political and social problems that forces some of the population to flee. non eu immigrants in Ireland are granted status based on the fact they have been fleeing from a bad situation and will be going back to situation that endangers their life or will be subjected to torture. One woman is hanging in the balance waiting for status over here as she fled her country with her daughter to escape her being a victim of "female circumcision" like she herself was. Her child is integrated into the community and her school and even speaks Irish. She is given an opportunity that many Irish have been given abroad. I know many Irish immigrants who were illegal in the U.S for years, did not pay tax etc. Is that any better?

<I think people are still coming over to Ireland thinking we are a bunch of drunken dancing leprechauns. >

Last time I visited Ireland, those dancing leprechauns made me feel right at home. Going back in May. Hope they're still around.

skaf,

In my experience...
in Ireland, a Guesthouse is usually an upscale version of a B&B. Or perhaps, a *grander* scale of a B&B...? You can find many of these guesthouses at the web site www.hidden-ireland.com.

Often, as it was mentioned, a Guesthouse will have more than the average home/B&B in terms of amenities. Horseback riding, a bar or snooker table, even indoor pools and the like can be available. However, as there is such a wide discrepancy I'll stick with my original thoughts; a Guesthouse is a larger home that is now open to paying customers. The resulting cost is usually higher than a regular B&B, too.

A hotel there is pretty much like a hotel in the States. Many are older though there are new ones too, and some are really posh and pricey, esp in Dublin. Now I have stayed in a *hotel* (in Virginia, Co. Cavan) that was once a hunting lodge and because of it's smaller scale it felt more like a large guesthouse (breakfast BTW was *excellent* as I guess they are also a cooking school. Makes my mouth water just thinking of it! drool...)
Anyhoo, I guess the fact that they had added a bit onto the lodge and (perhaps?) had more than a certain number of rooms made them a hotel.

Often these larger houses once belonged to English landlords or, as the case of the hunting lodge, were vacation homes for wealthy English persons. (I obviously can not say that they "all" were English owned as I do not know the history of Ireland or each individual home there well enough to make such a statement. So I apologize in advance if this statement is incorrect or offends anyone. )

I wish I could help you out with the ones in Dublin you are looking at but we rarely stay in Dublin itself (we have family nearby) so I can't say. You may want to post up another thread asking about those Guesthouses in particular.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Wendy

Wendy and Siobhan pretty much have it. It has to do with the number of rooms thoughI believe that technically, there is supposed to be a person on duty during "normal business hours" thoroughout the day for the palce to qualify as a guest house. For a star rating from AA, I belive you have to meet these requirements. They may also be required to serve an evening meal upon request. That said, they can call themselves whatever they choose.

Bill

SiobhanP writes: "Its a bit rich to be critising a place complaining about immigration (not exactly sure what you were complaining about, too many immigrants or how badly they are treated here) I have my suspicions what you were saying and I will not bother to comment on it."

I was referring to the fact that people from all over go to the Irish Republic and stay as long as they like. They don't have to be EU Citizens; they just have to enter from another EU Country and there is no Immigration Control. A lot of these are not the kind of people I would invite into my home (i.e., thugs and prostitutes).

Then there's the Irish Republic's very generous treatment of immigrants who are supposedly seeking asylum: it's so lucrative that (according to an article in the Irish Sunday Independent) some would come from Bulgaria, collect their 400 Euro, go home and come back again, saying they were from Albania and collect another 400 Euro. The Irish Government admits it has an immigration Problem!

Marcus writes: "NEDSIRELAND; So glad you won't be coming back. Personally I'd prefer not to come across any tourist with that condescending attitude."

Sorry, Marcus: I will come back to Ireland in about 2-months, just not to Dublin!

"Please explain what you mean by our immigration problem. As far as I can see, legitimate immigrants are
treated o.k. - cash handouts, accomodation, child benefits, free medical care. What's the problem?"

Maybe all those freebies are a problem as seen from an Irish workingman's perspective. These people start 'on the dole' and they stay there.

Most of the problem is not legitimate Immigrants and asylum seekers. It's what I described above: less than reputable people entering thru the 'back door' (i.e., from other EU Countries). They bring drug problems, prostitution (yes, I actually got 'hit on' on Middle Abbey Street) and other criminal elements.

OK Ned. I don't think you see the whole picture. I have been living in Ireland since before the influx of immigrants. and I see fanaticism/racism from people who resent immigrants even in the press. Ireland has "officially" opened it's doors to immigrants a few years ago. We temporairily took refugees from Yugoslavia until the conflict ended as we saw their plight and most returned to their homeland. Ireland has a large network of Charities and compassionate organisations that try to help aleviate issues in other countries. Some people feel that the world had opened its doors to us and now it was Ireland's turn as we are economically stronger than we were in the past. "We are our brothers keeper so it says"

I have come across several people some of whom are friends and other just people I met briefly that are qualified engineers/doctors and accountants and even an economist but cannot work in Ireland because the govt. will not allow them and they are forced to take benefits and some lucky ones are allowed to do menial jobs like kitchen porters (apologies if you are one I have been one two many years ago!). Believe me this is not a life most people would choose.

As for a prostitute on Abbey Street... Ned, O'connell is not the poshest part of town. We go their shopping on Saturdays but never at night and never alone. I also never wander the side streets. It's not the best part of Dublin but fine in the daytime. Also have you never been to a major European city? Every country has a certain amount of problems with drugs and prostitution(Even the USA). To be honest you were probably approached because you were a foreigner and more likely in her eyes to give her business. (Irish guys don't seem to be to bo profitible in busy areas maybe they are worried mammy will catch them!).

To be honest Ned what you say about many of these people could be said to myself if someone wanted to be racist. I was not born here yet I possess a passport and citizenship due to my parents. I can receive free medical care and the dole/welfare (Which I did for a few months between jobs which no one here feels is shameful as thats whats its for). No dole payment is that high (€400) as it is paid weekly as well (I know!) If its a one off and they return to their country it would cost them as much to come over and return and not be worth the trip. There will always be a small percentage of con artists as in every country and nationality. You also can't come over and stay as long as you like. Many people's applications are being denied and sent back to their home countries even if their children are born here.

What you are seeing is in a negative aspect that Ireland is becoming a more multicultural society and many people feel its about time. This is showing up in Arts (a popular band is the Afro Celt sound system that plays African drums and Irish music and show how similar they are) to Sport (Jason Sherlock is not an "immigrant" but he is half asian and a talented gaelic footballer) Many girls from China have been adopted from orphanages due to an Irish Documentary called the Dying Rooms and these children are Irish citizens. My family also has several asian members through marriage and their children are eurasian. The world is changing Ned and I think you would be a bit surprised If I came to your town and made sweeping generalisations as you may say thats its not like that at all. Be open, thats why we all travel to experience things.


P.S. Budman,I will get out my leprechaun hat if you come back over

And now more about guesthouses.......

That's a deal.

SiobhanP writes: "have you never been to a major European city? Every country has a certain amount of problems with drugs and prostitution(Even the USA). ... you were probably approached because you were a foreigner and more likely in her eyes to give her business ... "

She was a foreigner: Eastern European, Ukranian or Russian, I believe. FYI, I have been to most of the major Capitals in Western Europe (probably many before you were born). I encountered 'ladies of the evening' in London, Paris, Rome and many other cities; but this was the first time in Ireland. Prostitution was never one of Ireland's problems.

I am a septuagenarian, an Irish citizen like you, and I visit Ireland about twice yearly. I rarely enter or depart thru Dublin (mostly Shannon) and I was appalled at what I saw when I caught the first (05:15) AirTran bus to the airport from O'Connell street one morning: homeless people sleeping all over the median on O'Connell Street.

Most of my rhetoric has been concerning people entering Ireland from other EU Countries. For everyone, there used to be a 6-month limit on Ireland visits. That regulation may still be 'on the books' but with the EU's Open borders it is totally unenforceable. There is no Immigration or Passport Control for people arriving from EU Countries.

You mention Asian and Eurasian: Dublin and Sligo also seem to have some racial strife: I read stories in the Irish press about people from India and Asian countries being attacked by groups of Irish youths. They came to Ireland to take advantage of the high tech Celtic Tiger and some of the Irish people seem to think the Immigrants are stealing their jobs.

Sorry to divert from the subject of this thread.

Utopia?? Far from it!

thank you all. I went away for two days and found 13 new replies.
well it is still not completely clear to me (in the country and places like Killarney the difference is very clear between guesthouses and hotels) in Dublin less so. but lets leave it so.
about the rest of the arguments. I was last year on a guided excursion to Ireland and can't wait to come again on my own.
being from Israel, I am in no position to criticise any country so I will just pass. thanks again. shula

Skaf, don't mind our chatter I am sure you have seen some difficult things in your homeland. Tell us what differncs you see between guesthouses and B&B's.

Ned, Prostition has been here as long as anywhere else in the world. Did you not know that Molly Malone was meant to be a prostitute? (Not a joke) I think in the story or song there is a reference to it. Anyway there always was a prostitution problem just not on O'Connell Street. I could list a few streets but I will defer. My own dear street was infamous for it before the Lewis started being built. I have been Kerb Crawled a few times (after my verbal abuse they probably never came back to the srteet) and all the gals were Irish. Some were junkies and some were just geting a few some cash for the house. God help anyone that feels they have to resort to this.

Lets agree to disagree

hi SiobhanP, i do find reading your chatter interesting
i never felt so strong about Prostitution as i do now.(not that i ever tought it is such a voluntary choise).
i think the way we exploite forein workers and smugled woman from russia is disgusting
din't know all Europe has the same situation now.
back to the subject. i narrowed my choice to -
trinity lodge on South Frederick Street , and Stauntons on the Green. what do you think ?
thanks.