Looking for some help. I'm taking the family to Dublin for a few days in July. Can anyone recommend family friendly hotels that won't rob me blind?
I see Travel Lodge in Pheonix Park for £60 for 2 nights, which is very cheap. However I am not sure of the quality as it gets mixed reviews. Anyone use it before?
I don't mind paying a wee bit extra for a bit more quality, comfort, cleanliness etc!
The Ashling Hotel is good and in a decent location.
Never stayed myself but members of my family have now and again and they seem to like it.
http://www.ashlinghotel.ie
Is that the one with the hookers outside it? Allegedly.
Are you looking for things to do in the hotel Norf, or just a base to go from? We stayed in the Clarion out near Liffey Valley and it was grand, but there wasn't much in the way of kids clubs or anything. There is a pool and a playground though....
http://www.clariondublinliffeyvalley.com/
Also stayed in various Bewleys, Leopardstown and Airport, and again they are fairly functional but clean and cheap.
Depends Norf.
I would suggest Bewleys in Leopardstown where the Luas is a 10 minute walk away or Bewleys in Ballsbrige where the DORT is close by. Luas and DART handy to get into town.
The Leopardstown Bewleys is easy to get to - if you exit Exit 14 on the M50 you can't miss it.
its a base really to stay, but most nights will be back early because kids are young. Need somewhere that is functional but even if there was somewhere to take them around the area at night like cinema or bowling to pass an hour before bed! Hoping to head to tayto park and zoo the usual stuff.. any recommendations would be gratefully accepted. Thanks
Quote from: AZOffaly on May 13, 2013, 07:16:19 PM
Is that the one with the hookers outside it? Allegedly.
Are you looking for things to do in the hotel Norf, or just a base to go from? We stayed in the Clarion out near Liffey Valley and it was grand, but there wasn't much in the way of kids clubs or anything. There is a pool and a playground though....
http://www.clariondublinliffeyvalley.com/
Also stayed in various Bewleys, Leopardstown and Airport, and again they are fairly functional but clean and cheap.
jaysus sure I could have given you B&B if you were as near as the Clarion.
I do a fine fry up.
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on May 13, 2013, 07:26:46 PM
its a base really to stay, but most nights will be back early because kids are young. Need somewhere that is functional but even if there was somewhere to take them around the area at night like cinema or bowling to pass an hour before bed! Hoping to head to tayto park and zoo the usual stuff.. any recommendations would be gratefully accepted. Thanks
The Clarion out around Liffey Valley might do you so. I just clicked on that link and it looks like they are doing a bit more stuff in the hotel for kids and teens. The Zoo is close enough there, and Tayto Park too, and it looks like they do some sort of deal from the hotel. I think there's a cinema in Liffey Valley too.
How old are the kids NT? Zoo is great, pricey mind you, much improved over the last few years. .Tayto park the same. Check out piratevillage.ie it moves around the shoppingcentre's (currently in liffey valley) my kids 4 and 6 love it. National history museum is great (free) its on merrion square. Newbridge house out past the airport has a farm and a huge playground with lovely walks. The aquatic centre is very good also, near blanchardstown. Pheonix park has good payground in it.
The only thing I can say about the travellodge is, it is beside a halting site
Quote from: Norf Tyrone on May 13, 2013, 07:26:46 PM
its a base really to stay, but most nights will be back early because kids are young. Need somewhere that is functional but even if there was somewhere to take them around the area at night like cinema or bowling to pass an hour before bed! Hoping to head to tayto park and zoo the usual stuff.. any recommendations would be gratefully accepted. Thanks
If you stay somewhere near the DART you can easily take a nice trip to Bray for half a day or more. They have an Aquarium which is good for small kids and loads of good places to eat. Pray for no rain though.
http://www.visitsealife.com/Bray/ (http://www.visitsealife.com/Bray/)
The Ashling's a grand spot Norf, and the ladies of the night have moved on at this stage (allegedly ;)) -- beside Phoenix Park (and the Zoo, etc.), and right on the Luas.
Castleknock Hotel - brilliant spot, near zoo, has pool and play area, close to Blanchardstown for cinema and train from Castleknock station into town. Just off m50 too.
Really like the place, great for families. A well known former fruit and veg supplying family in the parish all went there with kids recently, plus my sis took hers on hols there too.
Possibly kids club in summer.
Quote from: Rois on May 13, 2013, 11:13:33 PM
Castleknock Hotel - brilliant spot, near zoo, has pool and play area, close to Blanchardstown for cinema and train from Castleknock station into town. Just off m50 too.
Really like the place, great for families. A well known former fruit and veg supplying family in the parish all went there with kids recently, plus my sis took hers on hols there too.
Possibly kids club in summer.
Please!
Quote from: Rois on May 13, 2013, 11:13:33 PM
Castleknock Hotel - brilliant spot, near zoo, has pool and play area, close to Blanchardstown for cinema and train from Castleknock station into town. Just off m50 too.
Really like the place, great for families. A well known former fruit and veg supplying family in the parish all went there with kids recently, plus my sis took hers on hols there too.
Possibly kids club in summer.
Came in to say this place. Stayed there midweek a few years back and got a good deal on family rooms - two ajoining rooms, plenty of space. Plus hotel is spacious, inside and out and has a golf course beside. Seems to have good deals on a regular basis. Has a pool as well.
Its a great base for the Zoo, Phoenix park and other places for the kids.
I'd also recomeend http://imaginosity.ie/ (http://imaginosity.ie/) for the kids. Its just past Dundrum and a great place, booking may be needed if at weekend.
Would also recommend the Castleknock, very good hotel.
Thanks everyone. The Castleknock appears to be the spot!
Rois love the way you protect the board over any legal bias by not mentioning 'a well known former fruit and veg supplying family' by name.
Other fruit suppliers are available etc etc!
;D
Hi Norf
Looks likes the lads & ladies have already given you good advice here.
Lots of options in Dublin as you know but don't be expecting a cheap few days.
The zoo & Tayto park are both very expensive, though we have membership for the zoo which works out very good for shorter visits.
I'd recommend ye go to the Tayto park on the way down or else back up again, as there's loads to do when yer based in Dublin.
The wife tells me Imaginosity is good but its like a smaller version of W5 in Belfast. Its away out on the south side though.
There's a great huge kids playground out in Argillian castle near Balbriggan & also that Newbridge house has a great playground and the farm is quite good though being from Norf Tyrone as well as me this might seem alien to ya. It was for me for the first few times.
If its raining there are loads of ball pools/indoor play areas
The viking splash tour is meant to be great for kids but I've never done it and of course there is the wax museum and leprechaun museum too. I've not been to either.
If the kids like a swimming pool in their hotel then yes the Castleknock is probably the best bet though a trip to the NAC.ie would probably be very popular but again its not cheap.
If you wanna be near town then the Aisling is a good bet.
Have ye taken the kids on the Croke park tour? Its quiet good and now they do the sky walk thing too.
I'd recommend a wee drive out along the coast road past Clontarf towards Howth.
You can feed seals out in Howth harbour and see the ships coming into Dublin bay from the summit. Some nice fish restaurants out there as well.
One wee tip ye might already know
Don't leave ANYTHING on view in your car as its likely to get a window smashed. I've lived here for years and my car has never been touched but my brother came down with the wife & kid one weekend and they parked outside a church for mass. When they came out the window was smashed and their suitcase stolen.
Quote from: Rois on May 13, 2013, 11:13:33 PM
Castleknock Hotel - brilliant spot, near zoo, has pool and play area, close to Blanchardstown for cinema and train from Castleknock station into town. Just off m50 too.
Really like the place, great for families. A well known former fruit and veg supplying family in the parish all went there with kids recently, plus my sis took hers on hols there too.
Possibly kids club in summer.
I think kids clubs only run during the summer holidays
Re people saying the trip to the Zoo been dear - i think it is great value and you can literally spend hours in it. What makes it dear is landing with one hand longer than the other and buying food, drinks and snacks once inside. Stock up before you land, plenty of outdoor picnic tables and the like in it, so shop ahead.
You will see loads of Tyrone ones in the zoo Norf
If you do stay in Castle knock hotel there is a place called Fort Lucan very nearby which the kids should love.
Its like a playground on steroids.
Quote from: laoislad on May 14, 2013, 08:08:06 PM
If you do stay in Castle knock hotel there is a place called Fort Lucan very nearby which the kids should love.
Its like a playground on steroids.
Very true. And release the inner child and have a ball yourself. My one gripe was that adults were not supposed to use the trampolines.
Quote from: laoislad on May 13, 2013, 07:08:53 PM
The Ashling Hotel is good and in a decent location.
Never stayed myself but members of my family have now and again and they seem to like it.
http://www.ashlinghotel.ie
Excellent spot. I stayed there last August and got a very good deal.
Yeah if ye get a sunny day would strongly recommend Fort Lucan (http://www.fortlucan.com/). It's a wee bit hard to find if you don't know your way around as its near Lucan. The kids will love it
For the zoo for 2 adults and 3 kids it's €50. There's a decent restaurant as ye head in on the right near the meerkats but I am always amazed how they never put in any other good restaurants further around the area. There's like a fast food style restaurant further on in the African plains but its not great. Sandwiches even bought from a shop before hand might be the way to go.
Fuzz, there is a great cafe in the phoenix park beside aras an uachtaran.
At the roundabout in front of the Aras (fyi North - its the first roundabout heading from th Zoo away from the city side) take the road up to the left and into the car park and walled gardens.
there is a wee stone mini castle and a timeber walled cafe behind this.
there is a big enough childrens playground the far side of the walled gardens (whch are lovely to walk around to see the flowers and veg growing and loveingly tended to).
While not cheap, the cost of food etc in this cafe isnt too bad. The food is good and the desserts are lovely.
If its not windy or raining then you can eat out in the large courtyard behind the cafe.
Aishling hotel is just below phoenix park, but while the area has been scrubbed up in the past 2 years, its a gritty industrial enough location.Adjacent to some tough housing estates. Its on the luas line and handy for city centre.
Clarion beside liffey valey shopping centre, well located for going north or south along the M50.
Castleknock hotel is very nice to stay in I believe, but like the clarion- that bit further out - yet only a couple of miles from phoenix park. Near a couple of good pubs/restaurants (+golf clubs) and blanchardstown shopping centre.
there is a crowne plaza besde blanch shopping centre. Dont know anyone that has stayed in it but its a decent location.
If you have any questions about castleknock or blanch- pm me.
Ashtown castle I think it is. It is the old Papal Nuncio's gaff. They also do the history of the Phoenix park there.
Yeah I know it well. The kids like the wee small maze there as well.
That's a great playground but its always jammed when its a nice day.
The maze follows the walls of the old Papal Nuncio's house which was demolished when the Castle was reinstated.
Have stayed in the crowne plaza near blanchardstown a few times. It's usually great value, good hotel, clean and reasonably priced. Only downside is I don't think it has a pool, probably better with a pool for kids. Citywest usually has some good deals and has pool, is a bit further out but has the luas line close by.
Headin to croker sat night but have nothing booked,was thinkin of somewhere outside city like the citywest as its pretty cheap and has luas line at front door that would take me to Connolly station which is 15 mins walk to croker? its about £3.10 return,am I right with what im readin online? any other hotel suggestions maybe a bit closer to croker with access to luas? luas line stay open late? think I read 6.45pm return to saggart stop outside citywest?
Guys i'm staying down in the capital on Sat night and was wondering if someone could recommend a couple of eating houses for the weekend. I have the wife and two kids with me so bear that in mind...I always struggle to find somewhere nice to eat out in Dublin...(not a Burger King or McDonald's fan TBH)
I stayed in the North Star Hotel last week which is just across the road from Connolly Station, and therefore handy for access for the Luas.
Illdecide for eateries, I ate here http://www.jimmychungs.com/locate/loc_dublin.htm (http://www.jimmychungs.com/locate/loc_dublin.htm). It's an all you can eat Chinese so decent value. The food was just alright but to be honest I was not overly hungry when I went in which might explain it.
We had planned to eat at https://plus.google.com/113962393706950885896/about?gl=uk&hl=en (https://plus.google.com/113962393706950885896/about?gl=uk&hl=en) as we were told it was excellent value but it was too late by the time we got there.