The Waterside House

I keep coming back, for about six years now, and I’ve never been disappointed. The staff are really friendly, and everything is always clean and well done. The rooms are lovely, looking out over the terrace and beach, and you can even see the sea from the shower. Great spot, and the food is very good too. I can’t understand why some people don’t like it, and I don’t believe their rooms were dirty!

We asked for a power adapter and got plenty of apologies, but no adapter. The alternatives were the bar’s only slow USB port or going to a gas station to buy one. For an international chain hotel, that seemed like a pretty basic thing to be missing. Breakfast was included in our booking, yet when we arrived they refused to provide it. There was no explanation or solution, just a firm no. The building and rooms felt extremely dated, with no sense that they’d been updated in this century. There were unpleasant smells and hygiene concerns, and the place gave us the impression that housekeeping had been neglected. It felt more like a time capsule than a hotel, and not in a charming way. If apologies instead of solutions, missing paid services, and poor cleanliness sound fine to you, this might suit you. Otherwise, I’d look elsewhere.

The food was a strong point for me. Breakfast and dinner were both fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented, with plenty of choice for different tastes. The hotel sits right on the coast, with lovely sea views and shoreline walks just outside. It’s peaceful, and waking up to the sound of the sea added a nice touch. Dublin city and the airport are still conveniently close, so it worked well as a base for relaxing and exploring nearby. A comfortable stay with a great seaside setting and very good food. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a coastal break near Dublin.

I’d booked for a night, but left after a few hours because the room smelled strongly of damp and mould as soon as I entered. There was visible mould around the window, water damage, peeling paint, and clear signs of poor upkeep. The room felt unacceptable, and neither safe nor hygienic. With that smell and air quality, I couldn’t stay overnight. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel unless it makes serious improvements.