Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley

My weekend stay was pleasant overall, with spacious, clean, well-kept rooms and friendly, helpful staff. The room was quite warm, and there was no air conditioning. I assume the temperature is controlled centrally. There was a lot of noise late in the evening and overnight from people coming and going between rooms. The hotel seemed to attract a lot of younger guests. I regularly noticed a cannabis smell near the entrance. That wasn’t really an issue for me on my own, but if I were travelling with my children, I’d probably choose somewhere else.

Security seemed tight, but they charge for everything. You have to ask for refills of the complimentary tea and coffee. Breakfast was good, though the chefs could be better about responding to questions and keeping things moving. The wholemeal bread ran out, and we weren’t told whether more had been ordered. It came back out about 10 minutes later. Fried eggs are available if you ask. The pool facilities were great. The shower soap dispensers needed refilling, though, and there should be private changing cubicles for families with kids, people with disabilities, or anyone who needs privacy.

The bed was very comfortable and the staff were friendly, but breakfast wasn’t suitable for someone with coeliac disease. There was no gluten-free cereal, and I had to ask three times for gluten-free bread, which took half an hour to arrive. This was my second time at Clayton Liffey Valley, and the same thing happened on my last stay. The shower was poor, with only one setting and no way to adjust it. Room service should check that it’s working properly. We’d have to think long and hard before staying again. Unfortunately, coeliac disease isn’t a lifestyle choice.

Guests don’t have to pay for parking here, though parking can be a bit of an adventure. The underground garage has very narrow spaces, so it’s usually best to reverse in if you want room to get out. You can get a voucher from the front desk to leave the garage. As in many other European countries, parking usually costs money. The hotel is easy to reach from the motorway or the mall, and shopping and other places are just a short hop away. Prices vary in affordability depending on the room type. The staff are all friendly, kind, and ready to help with just about anything. Rooms are spacious, with nice features that vary by type. There’s an excellent breakfast buffet, a nice restaurant and lounge area, and a gym very close by. I really like this hotel.