The Hendrick Smithfield

Tobias saved the day when I left my purse, wallet, and passport in the taxi. He helped us check in, worked out how to access the CCTV, and quickly found the taxi that had dropped us off. He also coordinated with the police and kept me updated while they tried to track the driver. I got all my things back within a few hours. Special shout out to Tobias, who rescued my vacation. We got stuck in Dublin for two nights during a winter storm and found two rooms at The Hendrick at a great last-minute price. The hotel was lovely, with great music in the lobby and a good vibe all around. The bed was one of the comfiest of all the hotels we stayed in on this trip. It's near the train, with plenty of coffee shops and cafes nearby. I wish we'd been able to stay longer. Can't wait to go back to The Hendrick!

The location is handy, with plenty of bars, reasonably priced restaurants, and a good cinema close by. The tram is a five-minute walk, and the town centre is another 15 minutes away. This part of town is still gradually being gentrified. I'm generally not a fan of gentrification, but this area really needed it. It's an interesting place, though tourists should stay alert at night and stick to well-lit areas. The Hendrick is much like other self-check-in hotels: very clean and basic, but fine for a city stay. The staff were friendly, helpful, and visible out front, unlike at some budget hotels where you're encouraged not to deal with them directly. I can't speak for every room, but ours was small, clean, and adequate. The bathroom was a good size with plenty of fluffy towels. Clothes storage consisted of a couple of handy, adequate hanging rails, though they made the room look untidy. The only sockets were on the wall opposite the bed, with no USB outlets, which surprised me in such a new building. The bathroom worked fine and had good shower pressure, but it was worn. A cupboard hinge was broken, the shower door wouldn't stay on its tracks, and the washbasin was partly blocked. I don't know what it is, but three of the five hotels I've stayed in over five weeks had blocked washbasins. This one was room 106. The beds were comfortable, and we slept well, perhaps because the carpeted corridors were quiet. I really liked the carefully chosen artwork in the public areas, much nicer than the bland generic copies in chain hotels. I'd never wanted to look at hotel art before, especially in a place I could afford! The lobby had a great atmosphere while we were there, with other guests playing guitar, and it has USB charging points. Breakfast is served there too. At €13 it's not expensive, but it's pretty basic.

The main draw for me is the location in the heart of Smithfield, a part of Dublin I enjoy for its nearby restaurants and bars. This is my second stay at The Hendrick, which I use for solo trips combining work and leisure. The rooms are clean and perfectly suitable, the beds are comfortable, and the shower is decent. Sure, the room is small, but it ticks all the boxes and is quiet at night. Great value for what's on your doorstep.

The area is quiet, with cute pubs that have more of a local feel. Temple Bar is a 15-minute walk away, and the location is great. The rooms are small but well equipped. I'd definitely stay here again.