Hilton HHonors - Hilton Dublin versus Hilton Dublin Kilmainham

Hi - I have a conference to attend at the Jury's Doyle Burlington, on Upper Leeson Street in Dublin, in early June. Looks like a downtown location.

So there are two hiltons nearby (one - the Hilton Kilmainham, is about 20..25 euro cheaper, and becoming a hilton property in April).

Which of these two is closer - ideally, walkable / reachable by public transport (bus, say) from the Jury's Doyle? And which is the better of the two (I think the kilmainham hilton is very likely a rebranded existing property from some other chain rather than a brand new building?)

thanks
srs

The Hilton Dublin on Charlemont Place is much nearer, no more than 5 minutes walk along the canal from The Burlington.

The Hilton Dublin is not a bad hotel and the staff are very good. Not a good place to stay in the summer though as there is no AC and the location is noisy so sleeping with the windows open is not a good option.

No aircon ?!? The rooms are 200 euros for a fully flex rate for gods sake, even advance purchase is 140 euro ++. I've seen residences / auberges and such that dont have aircon, just a portable or ceiling fan. But anything four or five star does have good AC. First trip to dublin though - most of my trips around europe are to France and Switzerland.

No aircon ?!? The rooms are 200 euros for a fully flex rate for gods sake, even advance purchase is 140 euro ++. I've seen residences / auberges and such that dont have aircon, just a portable or ceiling fan. But anything four or five star does have good AC. First trip to dublin though - most of my trips around europe are to France and Switzerland.

I have witnessed many puzzled American tourists having heated discussions at reception over this. To be honest it's not uncommon for UK and Eire hotels not to have AC even though we are having very hot summers - just stupid IMO.

Last summer I saw a very angry woman complaining because her daughter had very bad asthma. She made such a stink that they moved her to the Conrad for the same rate.

Did you consider the Conrad?

About 10 notches above the Holiday Inn, oh, I meant Hilton.

And about 150% costlier than the Hilton.

How's this new kilmainham property, and does it, at least, have a working aircon? Or as its 20..25 EUR cheaper than the Hilton Dublin, am I to assume that it too doesnt have anything of that sort?

If it comes to a choice between rooms without aircon I might just as well pick the cheaper property. Or just go stay at a B&B for a fraction of the rate.

Oh by the way - how far is the Kilmainham from the Jury's Doyle / Upper Leeson St - Looks like about a mile or so from the hilton website.. walkable, or is there a direct bus of some sort?

How's this new kilmainham property, and does it, at least, have a working aircon ?

As you've seen on the website, it doesn't open until next month

Oh by the way - how far is the Kilmainham from the Jury's Doyle / Upper Leeson St - Looks like about a mile or so from the hilton website.. walkable, or is there a direct bus of some sort?

It's about four miles, the location on the website is totally inaccurate. There is no direct bus, you would have to change in the city centre.

Well, I thought it was an existing property of some kind that got rebranded as a Hilton, rather than a brand new hotel. If it is 4 miles, how much would that be by cab, and how long would it take in typical morning / evening Dublin traffic?

thanks
srs

Well, I thought it was an existing property of some kind that got rebranded as a Hilton, rather than a brand new hotel. If it is 4 miles, how much would that be by cab, and how long would it take in typical morning / evening Dublin traffic?

thanks
srs

You know, I might be a local, but I honestly can't remember the last time I took a cab, so I've no idea :D

Well, I thought it was an existing property of some kind that got rebranded as a Hilton, rather than a brand new hotel. If it is 4 miles, how much would that be by cab, and how long would it take in typical morning / evening Dublin traffic?

thanks
srs




Personally think it is too far . As mentioned no direct bus and to be honest bus service in Dublin is poor.

As for taking a taxi, you would be looking at approx 12 Euro. You would be in the traffic both moring and evening and would say you are looking at 20-40 mins.

The hilton on the canal is much closer and so would make more sense as you can walk in 5 mins. Though note standard would not be up to say Hilton Cardiff.

I was not impressed by the Conrad when I was there for the FT Dublin Do in 2006. It was something like 210 Euro for a weekend night, so I used a Cat 5 award instead. Virtually no Diamond recognition, the rooms were well appointed but very small, service was meh except for the bellmen.

I was not impressed by the Conrad when I was there for the FT Dublin Do in 2006. It was something like 210 Euro for a weekend night, so I used a Cat 5 award instead. Virtually no Diamond recognition, the rooms were well appointed but very small, service was meh except for the bellmen.

I stayed there 3 times and each and every time I was upgraded to a Jr. Suite, (rooms # x27) with wine and chocolates and breakfast coupon. I love the Dublin Conrad.

No lounge is the only serious negative about this place. The service in the lobby bar can use some improvement. The location is great.

btw, I never paid a penny for the room as all 3 times were award bookings.

You know, I might be a local, but I honestly can't remember the last time I took a cab, so I've no idea :D

Be nice, the people that use cabs are propping up your celtic tiger.

I stayed there 3 times and each and every time I was upgraded to a Jr. Suite, (rooms # x27) with wine and chocolates and breakfast coupon. I love the Dublin Conrad.

No lounge is the only serious negative about this place. The service in the lobby bar can use some improvement. The location is great.

btw, I never paid a penny for the room as all 3 times were award bookings.


Wow your handle is right you are a lucky b8gger :)

I've stayed there a few times at rack rate and at our corporate rate and never had a suite :( As Diamond I have had the complimentary breakfast but sometimes had to ask

The lounge bar is dreadful and if it's quiet they close very early. Overall I have found the staff OK but the only Irish accent you hear is when you talk to the bellman.

Taxis in Dublin IME can be very expensive and they take their own sweet time. I often travel to one customer from the Conrad and I don't think I've ever been taken the same route so journey time and cost has varied tremendously

Be nice, the people that use cabs are propping up your celtic tiger.

There was nothing meant by the comment, I just haven't taken a taxi in years. If I'm not on foot, which is normal for me, I drive.

I was not impressed by the Conrad when I was there for the FT Dublin Do in 2006. It was something like 210 Euro for a weekend night, so I used a Cat 5 award instead. Virtually no Diamond recognition, the rooms were well appointed but very small, service was meh except for the bellmen.

When was the 2006 Dublin Do, and are there plans for another this year? I've never gone to a Do, but sounds like fun.

I did stay at the Dublin Conrad, had an ok experience. It was December and the weather was miserable, difficult to make the most out of that.

There was nothing meant by the comment, I just haven't taken a taxi in years. If I'm not on foot, which is normal for me, I drive.

Sorry, took that the wrong way :o

Sorry, took that the wrong way :o


Peronally can't stand Dublin cabs, try to avoid then where I can.

Hilton Dublin-
nice ambience, seems well maintained and has a quality feel about it.
As diamond, pre-assigned room upgrade at check-in. Advised no free breakfast, requested standard room and free breakfast, no spare rooms so comped breakfast.
Room = achingly contemporary, looked brand new and very clean. Small wine, water and 2 chocs in room. Backed on to tram line which was audible but not disturbingly so to me.
Breakfast = good, not the biggest of restaurants, not the widest choice, not the best service, but all in good.
Rate was 144Euro and paid 20 Euro for a baquette and a beer in the bar.
Overall, nice hotel but not cheap.

Hilton Kilmainham
that's 2nite, to follow

I just stayed two nights at Kilmainham. It was awful. I really wanted this to work because of the location (and a break from E200+ at the Conrad) but the room (temperature), front desk responsiveness and service in general was just terrible.

I stayed at both of these properties last weekend during a three-night trip to Dublin as part of the US Fare Sale to Dublin (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-deals/895083-us-dub-304-all.html). I spent the first two nights at the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham and the third night at Hilton Dublin. I originally had reservations for an award stay at the Conrad, but then made both of the reservations as part of the January 50% Off Sale (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/903815-hilton-january-sale.html) for rates that were too good to pass up.

Hilton Dublin Kilmainham

Overview

We arrived into DUB at around 7:50 AM on Friday morning, then sat for about 80 minutes waiting for a gate. Got through immigration pretty quickly and took the Airlink 748 bus (http://www.dublinbus.ie/your_journey/viewer.asp?route=748) (EUR 10 return per person) to Heuston Station. From there, it was about a 15 minute walk to the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham. We also could have taken the LUAS Red Line (http://www.luas.ie/red-line.php) to the Suir Road station - which is about a four minute walk from the hotel - but the weather was nice so we just walked. From Heuston, the walk is about ten-twelve minutes west along St. John's Road; at the first major intersection, the hotel is just to the south.

Prior to our arrival at the hotel, I'd been communicating with the reservations coordinator via e-mail. She was very helpful with information on transport and other topics, and when I told her we'd be arriving early on an overnight flight from the US, she blocked a room for us for an early arrival. We got to the hotel around 11AM and checked in with no problem. We were upgraded to a Deluxe Room, and breakfast was included with the sale rate, which was EUR 77.50/nt. There is no lounge at this property.

The Room

We were upgraded to a Deluxe Room, which had a decent-sized balcony with two chairs overlooking the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (http://www.imma.ie/en/index.htm), which is located across the street. The room was very comfortable and appeared to be quite new. The bathroom had a separate tub and shower and was very spacious. There was a sitting area in the short part of the L of the room with two chairs - not sure if that is also true in the non-Deluxe rooms.

Shortly after we arrived, a plate with four pieces of fruit (orange, kiwi, pear, and banana) was delivered to the room along with two bottles of water. The following day, the fruit and water bottle supply was refreshed. That night, we found a small box of chocolates and a small bottle of red wine upon our return. All the gifts were certainly enjoyed.

The Food

We had breakfast both mornings at the hotel and found it to be quite good. The breakfast was buffet style - the buffet contained all elements of a full Irish breakfast (e.g. eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc.), a wide variety of fruits, cereals, breads, and yogurts, and a number of other items like smoothies, Nutella, etc. Additionally, pancakes, french toast, and a few other items were available on request. We found the food to be very good and enjoyed the selection.

We also visited the bar one night - the drinks were reasonably priced and the one dish that we ordered (soup) was tasty. The staff was friendly.

The Facility

The property is clearly very new and is very clean and in very good shape. As I mentioned, there is no lounge but the restaurant/bar is nice. There is also a decent-sized gym in the basement - while we did not use it, we did investigate it and found a number of cardio-theater machines along with a medium-sized pool, weights, etc. The gym appears to be open to the public (on a membership basis) but was not crowded when we checked.

The Location

The property is located a bit west of the city center; we walked in each morning and it was about a 25-30 minute walk. Every night, we took the LUAS Red Line back to Suir Road. That was about a 10 minute ride from O'Connell Street station, and Suir Road is about a four-five minute walk from the hotel. The fare was EUR 1.60 or so. There are also a number of buses available to the city center, and they depart from one block away from the hotel.

There are a few attractions in the area - Kilmainham Gaol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilmainham_Gaol) is right across the street. We did the tour (about 75 minutes) and it provided a good overview of Irish history and interesting info about the Gaol. The Irish Museum of Modern Art is also right across the street - however, it was closed for a change of exhibits. We did walk around the grounds and they were quite nice.

Down the road from the hotel are a local pub, a few convenience stores, etc.

Overall Thoughts

All staff members that we encountered at this property were very friendly and helpful. The property is obviously very new and is in very good shape. The room was quiet, comfortable, and we were able to rest very easily in it. While the property is not right in the city center, we found it very easy to get back and forth on LUAS / on foot. I would not hesitate to stay here again.

Hilton Dublin

Overview

We decided to spend our last night at this property in order to check it out and to get another stay in. It is located right near the Charlemont stop on the LUAS Green Line (http://www.luas.ie/green-line.php) - indeed, you see the hotel as you arrive at the stop. From there, it's two stops to St Stephen's Green or about a ten minute walk.

Upon arrival, we were placed on the club floor (although, as far as I could tell, there was no lounge anywhere). Breakfast was included with the sale rate, which was EUR 95.00/nt.

The Room

Our room appeared to have been recently renovated - in fact, many of the furnishings were identical to those at the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham - so much so that we both thought that the two hotels must be owned by the same people.

The room was not too remarkable - both of us felt that the room at the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham was nicer. It was larger, the bathroom was much nicer, and it seemed sunnier. The bed at the Hilton Dublin was much less comfortable. There were two bottles of water (same brand as at Hilton Dublin Kilmainham) in our room upon arrival.

The Food

The breakfast was pretty similar to that offered at the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham, except there were no smoothies and I did not see any offer of fresh-cooked pancakes, french toast, etc. Otherwise, they were similar.

The Facility

The property is clearly older than the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham but appears to have been renovated recently. Everything was clean and in good shape. There is no gym on site, but there is one available for hotel guests - unfortunately, it is 15 minutes away. As far as I could tell, there is no lounge.

The Location

The property is located about 10 minutes south of St Stephen's Green. As I mentioned, it is right near a Green Line LUAS stop. Additionally, there are buses nearby which run to the city center / O'Connell St. The residential neighborhood around the hotel appeared to be pretty nice and we enjoyed walking around it. The Conrad is about five minutes North/Northeast of this hotel.

Overall Thoughts

Everyone that we encountered at this hotel was friendly. It's clean and in good shape, and just a ten-minute walk to St. Stephen's Green (perhaps 20 minutes to O'Connell St.).

Final Thoughts

Even through the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham ("HDK") was much farther from the city center, I think that we would probably stay here again over the Hilton Dublin ("HD") -- particularly if the rates were lower, as they were this time. The room at the HDK was nicer, the property is newer -- and in a way, it was just as easy to get to the city center as it was from the HD. With the LUAS, it was a quick ride to O'Connell Street from HDK - from HD, there is no way to get North of the river on LUAS - you must take a bus or walk. The walk into the city from the HDK was not bad, but then again we both are used to walking a lot so our standards are likely different.