ABC House Dublin

The main drawback was the hot water, and the bathroom door handle was noisy. Otherwise, it was a lovely place for our first visit to Dublin. Our twin room in House 53 was clean and well kept, and breakfast was plentiful and good. The young man looking after guests was pleasant and really helpful. He even went out of his way to help with the next leg of our trip. Getting around was easy too: we bought a three-day Leap card at the airport and took the bus straight to the B & B, so there was no need to rent a car.

We had a warm shower, good breakfast, and tea and coffee in the room. Everything was very neat. It's a lovely B & B in a quiet Dublin suburb, about a 20-minute bus ride from the city centre, with stops just outside and across the road. I'd definitely come back.

The staff were amazing, and the room was perfect. There are some nice bars and restaurants nearby, plus a bus stop right outside. If you're from the States, Dublin's public transit is awesome. This place is best if you just need somewhere nice to sleep before exploring Ireland, rather than somewhere to spend lots of time in your room.

My wife and her friend stayed for two nights and felt it was more like a hostel than a B&B, with very basic decor. They booked a twin room, but the single beds were tiny, more suitable for children. There were two cups but just one saucer and one spoon, and the bathroom had no shelving, so toiletries had to go on the floor. Andre was pleasant, though they found the other staff unfriendly. If you're choosing a B&B in Ireland, check that it's run by Irish people who know how to be hospitable.