Urban Rest - Merrion Square Apartments

We liked the quiet location and could still walk to Dublin’s attractions. We didn’t want to stay in Temple Bar, so it suited us well. The place was cozy, with a bed, small kitchen, dining table, little TV, and couch. We don’t spend much time in the room when traveling, and just needed somewhere to sleep and maybe eat takeaway. There were two hassles: no entry instructions arrived before we got there, so I had to call for the access code and pay international minutes and phone charges. Also, carrying two and a half weeks’ worth of luggage up four flights wasn’t fun.

The townhouse has a lovely, stylish feel, and apartment 4 was comfortable and thoughtfully equipped. There’s a washing machine, a big bed with fresh towels, a clean modern bathroom with a rain shower, and a cosy lounge with a TV. The kitchenette has an induction hob, oven, microwave, Nespresso machine and capsules, kettle, toaster, cookware and cutlery. Salt, pepper, olive oil, tea, milk, water and popcorn were there too. I appreciated the fire blanket and extinguishers, and the code entry meant no keys to carry. Staff replied quickly, and arrival instructions came 24 hours ahead. It felt like a safe area, with several embassies nearby, and the centre is about a 20-minute walk. A couple of practical snags: there’s no dishwasher or washing-up liquid, and we couldn’t leave our bags after checkout. Late checkout costs another €100; we used a storage place about 15 minutes away. There’s also a €200 deposit at check-in, refunded a few days later if there’s no damage. Apartment 4 is up on the second floor, and the stairs and entrance make the property unsuitable for guests with disabilities. Carrying our suitcases was manageable, but it could be hard for an older person. Still, I’d happily recommend Urban Rest for its standards and location.

The area is nice and peaceful, and the location is good. We were in apartment 5, though, and getting up there was awful with our bags: around 60 narrow steps, many of them spiral. The shower was faulty and its temperature control was broken. We reported it, but nobody repaired it. Cleaning also felt very superficial. I wouldn't recommend staying here.