Staycity Aparthotels, Dublin, Tivoli

We paid quite a lot for the room and expected better. It wasn’t very functional, with too little lighting and the lights in awkward places. The bed was comfortable, though. We won’t be back. The location was good, the place was clean, and staff were okay. But our room was two hours late, so we had to wait in the foyer. They offered us free breakfast, which we didn’t want. A discount on the room would have been preferable.

Breakfast turned out to be fresh, with lots of choice, and much nicer than I expected from the hotel. The staff greeted us whenever we came and went, which gave me the impression they were well trained. It seemed like a well-managed hotel, and I liked it a lot. We arrived early, and the manager kindly checked a few times that the rooms were right for us and met our requirements. Check-in was delayed a bit, so she also gave us three free breakfasts for the next day. The hotel was very clean, and the air conditioning was quiet and new.

The location is convenient, and the room was clean and quiet, with modern decor. But the windows don’t open, even on the fourth floor, so the air felt stale. Every bed is narrow. The staff were friendly, though not efficient. One evening staff member couldn’t solve our problem, kept defending himself, then left without coming back. That was unusual. Most guests seemed to be from southern Europe, as did nearly all the staff, so it felt a bit like being in Spain. The lounge could get loud and chaotic, and breakfast was so noisy that it was hard to enjoy the meal. Still, it’s an acceptable place for a night or two.

For Dublin, where hotels are expensive, this was good value. It’s a few minutes from the river and a 10-15 minute walk from many landmarks, though it isn’t right in the centre. The room with two twin beds was clean and comfortable. I got in around 10 p.m. and checked in on a screen. When I had a question, there was no staff member around. My only real complaint is the lighting: the room has very bright, white lights that all come on at once, except for the bedside and kitchen lights. Coming back at night, that wasn’t relaxing.