Originally Posted by tangey

Just returned from a 2-night award stay here. 100K points felt a bit much for this property, although it was a quite acceptable experience. Booked a classic king bed room. I'm gold, and after booking got the email offering free upgrade + paid upgrade options (subject to availablity). I was not expecting an upgrade as I knew the hotel was fully booked, as was most of dublin (westlife was in town....sheesh).

On arrival, check-in agent did not mention anything at all about upgrade, and only when asked was it confirmed that no upgrade was available. Was confirmed that breakfast was included, as was free internet. Room (710) was bigger than I had expected, and in fact a fine room, extremely quiet and great black-out curtains. 2 bottles of still water were in the room, and were replenished the following morning. TV control seemed to take notion to have a mind of its own at times, but we didn't complain about it. Good lotions etc in the bathroom. Bed was a large king, but really a bit too firm for my liking. Paper was delivered both mornings. Wireless Internet speed was ok, but for some reason evertime I used it I had to log back in again.

Car park was 15 euro a night (I didnt realise that you had to pay at the desk as opposed to the pay station in the car park, until when trying to pay at the pay station was asked for 136.50 Euro, which is the "normal" non-resident rate !)

Breakfast had good selection, but sausages were tasteless and scrambled eggs a bit creamy. But good fruit options, and bread/pastries and other hot food was good. great juice options including various smoothies.

Ate in the hotel restaurant 1 night. My fillet steak was excellent, my GF's strip steak was a bit tough. Menu had any 3 sides for 5 euros. We thought 3 would be fine between the two of us, however these are the smallest sides in history, chips (fries) consisted of 6 chips each 1 inch in length. The other two sides were of similar proportions. Dessert (bread and butter pudding) was quite tasty.

Location isn't bad...3 minutes walk to St Stephen's green and a good shopping mall, and similar to Dawson street which has good nightlife options for those that require it. 15-minutes brisk walk to the liffy. However in terms of getting to it by car, if coming from the North, mapping shows that you are constantly working against the dublin 1-way system, so much easier to take the port tunnel and the East toll road and come at it from behind, so to speak. The 2 tolls work out at 4.75 euro, but it is a much easier approach.