I've visited this site many times, and I know that the people are very helpful on the forms, so here goes! My brother and I (16 and 20) are going to be traveling to Dublin over Thanksgiving to visit a friend. Would a hostel be our best bet for 4 nights' stay, or would a hotel be recommended? Any information on specific locations? Any feedback on previous hostel (or even Dublin hotel) experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Haven't been to a hostel in a realy lonngg time, but topping in hopes you will find a good spot! Have a grand time!

Teri,<BR><BR>It depends how much you want to spend? There are a few hostals one is Abbey hostal on the Quays across from Temple Bar. Do a search as I do not have the number. Hotels will be more expensive but if you can afford it it may not be bad. One work of advice...do NOT say on Gardiner street even if it seems a good deal. May backpacker hostal places are here and I am sure they are fine places but it is not safe for 2 guys walking at night at your age. Guys tends to be mugged and attached more here than women. I think it has to do with Drink and fights break out etc when the pubs close. This is really only the area I would stay away from. Try the Fitzsimonms Hotel in Temple Bar and Bewleys hotel in Temple Bar as well as Jurys in Crist Church. They are all similar hotels...the first 2 are in busier areas but you might like that for nightlife and touring.

As for hotels, the Blooms might also be a possibility in the same price range. The Aston might be another possibility.<BR><BR>Bill

Just for future reference, Teri is short for Teresa, so it will be myself and my younger brother that are traveling, if that will make any difference in lodging suggestions! Thanks for the information so far, though. Would anyone suggest staying north of the river or south as being the better option, or am I just getting too picky now? Money isn't a HUGE issue, but I would like to stay below $150 a day for hotels/hostels/etc.(if possible). Also, are day trips by bus something that we could reasonably consider without breaking the bank? We will be in the city for about five days, with three totally free, and I know we won't want to stay downtown the entire time. Thanks!

We have stayed at Kinlay HOuse hostel in Temple Bar area a few times and really liked it. YOu can stay in the dorms or you can get a double room with bunk beds and your own bathroom.<BR>The price is good and breakfast ( fix it yourself) is included.

Teri,<BR>Read the other posting about the Westbury hotel -he got a rate of 99euros a night! <BR>Might be worth looking up to see if they're running any deals at that time of year. It's great hotel and very central..

Regarding lodging in Dublin, avoid the Chelsea House (also known as Backpackers CitiHostel) – it is a dump.<BR> <BR>Consider the Avalon House www.avalon-house.ie It is nice - big, cheap, clean and safe (near Grafton Street) and has security (it has lockers). Great free breakfast, too. <BR><BR>Barnacles (or the Temple Bar Hostel) http://www.barnacles.ie/templebar/accommodation.htm is right in the middle of Temple Bar, (there will be tons of tourists here). Barnacles (Temple Bar House) is located at 19 Temple Lane. <BR><BR>Another lodging option is the Litton Lane hostel (email: [email protected]) Clean co-ed rooms, but the bathrooms were not so clean. It has a great location about 1/2 block from the river and Temple Bar is on the other side. If you need your laundry done for you, they will do it around the corner at the Abbey Lane Hostel.<BR><BR> Consider Paddy’s Palace http://www.paddywagontours.com/ppalace.html where you can get a dorm from &pound;10. (Private rooms available). It is located on the corner of Lr. Gardiner Street and Beresford Row. Officially 5 Beresford Place, it is a 2 minute walk from Busaras (Dublin’s primary bus station). If your goal is to be near the bus station, this is a good choice. Although there are cheaper nearby hostels (on the same street) they are a worse choice than this one.<BR>

What about bed and breakfasts? You might have to take a bus into town, but certainly you can get a b&b for much under $150 a day. I've stayed in some in Salthill/Fairview area that were nice and very central on a bus line. 5-10 minutes into town on the bus.

Day trips by bus are available and affordable. Also, we did the "hop on / hop off" Dublin bus tour first thing. It helped us get familiar with the layout. Go to the tourist office on Suffolk Street - lots of info available. There are big bus tours, but also small bus/large van day tours that take more back roads. Great!

Teri,<BR><BR>I mentioned some hostals previously but the other 2 mentioned above Kinlay house and especially the one in Temple bar are great (I live in Dublin and they are great locations). I would not stay on Gardiner street at all. I don't think the area is safe at night for tourists. Just my opinion. Also Fairview is too far. There are several B&B's in Ba;llsbridge and sandymount that are lovely and a nice walk into town or the Bus/Dart train. Check out the BordFailte website and they can book for you.<BR><BR>As for the westbury, that rate is unusual and I saw nly once on laterooms.com....maybe check that out as well.<BR><BR>Enjoy

When in Dublin , a fun thing to do one evening is the DUBLIN GHOST BUS TOUR.It was a hoot learning the stories and seeing the sights from a purple draped bus. Did this with a 13 yr old and she still talks about it! We shared a coach bus with about 20 other people, toured a bit of Dublin and listened to the entertaining storyteller and even stopped at a cemetary to learn the steps to "grave-robbing"! We picked up the tour without advance reservations on O'Connell Street.

Jumping in late, but if you haven't already booked, another hostel suggestion would be Ashfield House on D'Olier Street, on the southside city center very well located a block from O'Connell Street bridge (O'Connell Street is northside), just two minutes from Trinity College, and just a few minutes walk to both Temple Bar and Grafton Street. I believe they do have double rooms as well as multi-bed rooms, all have ensuite bathrooms. Hostel is only a few years old. I am NOT a hostel person &lt;g&gt; in my late 30s and I was still very comfortable there. Can do a Google search on the web for them.

Hiya,<BR> Jurys at Christchurch, good location and not pricy...<BR><BR>Cheers...