Halloween! We're feeling all spoooooky, there are a surprising number of pumpkins dotted around the place and I have a fear of dracula capes that keep appearing out of nowhere.
Great auntie Beryl keeps sending me text messages saying Great uncle Harold has appeared to her in a vision and cousin Hamish is updating his facebook status every five minutes with comments about his Halloween fancy dress party later on.
However, I will not let this distract me from my extremely important job of visiting hotels, checking they're comfy enough for our customers and reporting back to you.
This week, despite the cold, I headed off to Dublin.
Great auntie Beryl keeps sending me text messages saying Great uncle Harold has appeared to her in a vision and cousin Hamish is updating his facebook status every five minutes with comments about his Halloween fancy dress party later on.
However, I will not let this distract me from my extremely important job of visiting hotels, checking they're comfy enough for our customers and reporting back to you.
This week, despite the cold, I headed off to Dublin.
The first hotel I visited was the Gresham Hotel Dublin - Ireland's oldest hotel - it dates back to 1817. What a lovely hotel. It's based in O'Connell Street - which is just a short walk from all Dublin's major attraction - so central & great for the spot of Christmas shopping I managed to squeeze in (I know, FAR too early for Christmas shopping but I just like to be organised...). The rooms in this hotel are as you would expect from one of Dublin's best 4 stars - comfortable, and have all the luxuries you would expect.
The thing I loved about this hotel was the writer's bar - spacious & classic, it houses tinted mirrors, and fine art and I sank into the sofas following my little shopping trip - and it was so comfortable - one of those deep sofas you just disappear into - as I watched the world go by outside through the windows.
The thing I loved about this hotel was the writer's bar - spacious & classic, it houses tinted mirrors, and fine art and I sank into the sofas following my little shopping trip - and it was so comfortable - one of those deep sofas you just disappear into - as I watched the world go by outside through the windows.
Another great hotel in Dublin - particularly good if you have a flight at a funny time of the morning - is the Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport - located as you may have guessed - just 5 mins from the airport. The facilities here are fantastic - with a rooftop restaurant, and an air conditioned fitness suite (yes yes I do sometimes like a work out). The rooms are comfortable and furnished in a contemporary design - and the towels & bathrobes I did note were particularly fluffy! There was also a satellite TV with on demand films - nice. This hotel is not only for those who need to be close to the airport - it's only 20 mins from the city centre and close to the picturesque maritime village, Malahide - it's well worth a stroll along the beachfront there.
I am now back in chilly London although I am loving the blue skies & crisp mornings - I'd prefer the snow kept away from Golders Green however. If you're thinking of getting away - seriously Dublin is a fantastic city - and not far to get to which means you don't even need to take days off work to get away! To view all our hotels in Dublin - click here - or if you're looking for a saving or two we have some great offers on hotels there - see here for our special offers in Dublin.
Right I'm off to go and put together my outfit for Hamish's party.....perhaps borrow auntie's teeth and steal one of those dracula capes....I'm sure to win top prize!
