Arcadia House B&B

The house was warm and cosy, and we had a great weekend in Dublin staying at Arcadia house. Our room had its own bathroom with a brand new power shower, and breakfast was excellent. Colm knew the area and Dublin’s transport network well. The guest manager was helpful too and gave us a map of Dublin city. I’d recommend this house to all my friends. Thanks again.

Colm made us feel like old friends from the moment we arrived. We had tea and biscuits together before he showed us to a spotless room with a large, very comfortable bed, tea and coffee facilities, and a perfect en suite shower. The WC was separate but still en suite, which suited us well. Wi-Fi worked throughout the house. There was no TV in our room, and honestly I was glad: good Wi-Fi matters more to me, and without a TV people can talk without distraction. Breakfast is a must, whether you go for toast, porridge, or a full cooked meal. Even the tea and coffee tasted especially good. The house is on a main road, but we were at the front and heard very little traffic noise. The area felt pleasant and safe, even when we returned late. Everyone we met was friendly and charming. London suburbs don’t always feel that way. Colm suggested we get a Leap card, which made getting around easy. The bus stops are a couple of minutes away, buses are frequent, and lots of routes go into Dublin city. The ride takes 15-20 minutes. Dublin’s public transport is superb, so don’t let the distance from the centre put you off. Colm, the owner, was friendly and helpful, and nothing seemed too much trouble. He told amusing stories and anecdotes and wanted to hear ours too. He took us on a little tour where we fed swans and saw things beyond the tour bus route, with stories behind them. He also drove us to Howth, with its seals, harbour, and breathtaking headland walk. Without his advice and help getting us there, we’d have missed an amazing day. We had a fantastic stay at this lovely B&B. Highly recommend!

I came away desperate for a good night’s sleep and a decent holiday. The bedrooms seem to have been made by dividing upstairs rooms with drywall sheets, so even the tiniest noise from another room carries through. There’s no receptionist, and rooms aren’t cleaned or restocked each day. Breakfast times are inflexible, even on weekends, and if you don’t want a “full Irish,” the alternatives are very limited: no ham, cheese, other charcuterie, or croissants. For a single guest, the bedroom is tiny and has only the basics. There’s no TV or shampoo/conditioner, little to no storage, an uncomfortable mattress, poor-quality towels, and inadequate bathroom heating. It’s very poor value. Although it’s relatively near the airport, there are plenty of better, cheaper options. The name promises neither pastoral calm nor harmony: the place feels ramshackle. Avoid it if you can.

We’re grateful they gave us a bed during the pandemic. We understand breakfast isn’t available right now, but please leave out at least some bread and jam. It’s very hard to find breakfast nearby early in the morning.