Need help in choosing a Dublin hotel
 

Hi! I've been doing some research for a nice hotel for a couple of nights in January in Dublin, and I've found 3 that could be ok but I can't decide on which would be the best. They are:
- Jury's Inn Christchurch
- Harding hotel (also in Christchurch area)
- The Mercer (at Mercer Street).
I would like to know if they are situated in safe areas and if their location is good for visiting the sights. If you have been to these hotels, I'd love to read your reviews. Thanks a lot.

Jury you can see lots of reviews its a good cheap and cheerful place. Hardings I have NEVER heard of do you possibly mean Handels Hotel? The Mercer is probably the most central to St Stephens Green. Who has the better deal? That maybe should decide.

The rates are similar:
Hardings (80€)
Jury's (99€)
Mercer (89€)
Which area is safer, Christchurch or St. Stephens Green?
Another question? Have you ever booked a hotel though Laterooms, is it a safe site?

I trust you are comparing per PERSON rates (which is the common standard for quoting hotel rates in Ireland), versus per ROOM rates (Jury's makes a marketing point of this - - or at least in the past, I recall that they did - - all rooms are quoted per night, per <i>room</i>).

Jury's Christchurch could be said to be lacking soul, a little bit, but we liked the location all right, and it is without any serious flaws that I can remember.

Best wishes,

Rex

I would say Stephens Green would be safer than Christchurch. Both areas are central and within walking distance of pretty much everything in the city centre.

I agree with Cailin. Stephens green is probably more central as well and nicer at night.

I have never heard of harding until now. It looks a bit like a hostel on the web. I would take this one out of the equation. Also which part of the Mercer are you looking at? The is a hotel and then a hostel style part. If its not the actual hotel go for Jury's as it is a proper hotel.

I stayed at Jury's Christchurch last month. It's fine. Not much charm, and a little worn around the edges. It's very convenient. 5 minutes or less to Temple Bar and Grafton Street. I'm a female in my 30's and was traveling alone - I never felt unsafe.

If you're staying over a weekend, I would highly recommend requesting a room that does NOT overlook the street in front. I never thought outside noise would bother me. Apparently, when the bars get out (anywhere between 11:30 and 3:00 am - depending) people start to walk outwards from the city, looking for taxi's. There were what seemed like billions of them outside my window yelling for taxies. It was really, really loud.

Hi Celtic! Absolutely right at the weekends. Maybe the Mercer would be quieter. I would still forget the harding it looks dodgy to me and I have never heard about it.

In Sept 2001 we stayed at a b &amp; b across from St. Stephen's Green. It was the night before a big soccer game and also the night before a big U2 concert at Slane. Yes, the street noise was dreadful. As a counterpoint, 10 days later when we returned to Dublin we stayed at Clontarf Castle. This is admittedly, an actual hotel where tour buses go, however, we have nothing but good to say about their customer service when stranded there 9/11/01. They are a city bus ride from downtown shopping, but the price was the same as the b &amp; b for a much nicer room. Nice area to walk around the neighborhood too.

Well...we did stay at the Harding and I would not recommend it. The first Rick Steve's recommendation that really fell way, way, short. It was cheap, well located, available, and just barable...thank goodness we spent very little time in the room. The people at the front desk were actually kind of creepy and it was very run down. Noisey area, late night pubs/drunks and the rest of the day Christchurch bells. Jury's was around the corner and looked nicer...big and basic. Walked around at night and it was OK.
Dublin is not a town for bargain hunters...given the choice again I would gladly pay double.

Hi Siobhan...

Oh, yes - the Christchurch bells. They were louder than the taxi-seekers! (and they lasted longer)

Thanks for your advice. I've finally decided to book the Mercer for 89 &euro; /night for a double room. I'm going there next Wednesday and I'll tell you about it when I get back.

I'm back for Dublin: I had a great time and loved the city. About the hotel (Mercer), it was great too: good location (less than 5 mins. from Grafton St.), great staff, big rooms with A/C,... I would definetely stay there again if I could get a rate under 100 Euros /night.