Archive for the ‘Accommodation’ Category

Near the rugged Connemara yet also down the road from Galway City, the 5 Star Glenlo Abbey Hotel is truly a place to get away from it all. It was voted ‘Best Restaurant in Connaught’ in 2010 by the Good Eating Guide and is the perfect base for a holiday, whether you just want to chill out or if you prefer being more active. In this resort, luxurious surroundings and facilities are the name of the game. A warm welcome and friendly service are guaranteed, whether you are here for a great value midweek or weekend break, business or are using the wedding facilities. The beautiful abbey, which dates from the 17th century, is the perfect place for a wedding ceremony as it can house up to 30 people.

The peaceful surroundings of the 4 Star Ardilaun Hotel will ensure that you return home from your break refreshed and restored. Wander around the magnificent lawns or work out in the leisure centre, complete with gym and 18 metre pool – it’s up to you. It is ideally situated between Galway Bay and the centre of Galway, making it perfect accommodation for conferences or as a base when attending one of the many events and festivals on the Galway social calendar. For half a century the Ryan family has been welcoming visitors and ensuring that the hotel’s traditional standard of service is maintained.

Visitors can find the best deals for hotels in Galway at Galway HotelReservations. Galway self catering is a good option for groups and families. Read the rest of this entry »

The Camden De Luxe Hotel, which appeared in the Alan Parker film “The Commitments”,  dates back to 1957, when it was called the Theatre De Luxe. The listed building that is its home has now been stylishly renovated, with the vaulted ceiling and décor having being painstakingly restored, but the façade remains as it was when the theatre closed.  Today the very popular Palace Nightclub stands in place of the original theatre auditorium.

The 2 star Abbey Hotel is an elegant hotel in Dublin’s city centre. A full choice of complimentary facilities can be found in all of its attractive en-suite bedrooms. It also houses The Black Abbot, on three floors, and the Abbey Hotel restaurant, which offers an eclectic mix of Irish and world dishes on its selection of menus. The shopping precincts of O’Connell Street, Grafton Street and Henry Street are all nearby. The Garden of Remembrance, GPO, Christchurch and Trinity College are just some of the many attractions to be found nearby. Read the rest of this entry »

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands is one of the most popular visitor destinations in Europe, with about five million international visitors every year. The city was once one of the worlds leading trading and financial centres and continues to be an important industrial location. Many of the world’s top companies have their headquarters there.
Tourists to the city come for a variety of reasons. The city has a long and distinguished cultural history and is home to some great museums and art galleries including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum,  and the Hermitage Amsterdam.
Amsterdam’s famous canals are another popular attraction.
The city’s Red Light District is not just for sex tourists. Many people visit it just to observe because of its notoriety.
Because of its liberal drug laws and the legal availability of cannabis in the city’s Coffee Shops Amsterdam has become a very attractive destination for young people. Many college students from all over the world go there and stay for a few months often engaging in casual employment to support themselves.
Hotel accommodation or renting apartments can be quite expensive in the city and young people and students often prefer the option of hostels in Amsterdam because they are relatively cheap and of good quality. There are over 50 hostels available with prices as low as €10.00 per night.
Amsterdam has quite a good public transport system which includes trams, buses and metro. The tram is probably the most popular. There are 16 tram lines in the city.
One of the best ways to get around is by cycling. Because The Netherlands is so flat cycling is easy and Amsterdam has lots of cycle lanes and bike racks to accommodate its half a million bicycles.
The city is famous for its night life and has numerous small bars and cafes as well as a wide range of restaurants of diverse ethnic origin. Night clubs, discos and music venues are dotted throughout Amsterdam.

The Government has warned restaurants and hotels to pass on the recent reduction in VAT  to consumers or risk having the concession abolished after next year.

The Taoiseach said businesses in sectors where the new lower VAT rates apply will be “failing Ireland” if they did not pass the reductions on to consumers. Mr Kenny said the Government would have “very, very strident discussions” with businesses which fail to cut prices. Read the rest of this entry »

Dublin hotels are becoming more affordable according to a survey carried out by hotels.com.
In 2010 the average price for a room in Dublin was €73 which was down by 6% from 2009. The average price  for a four star hotel room was €81 and for a five star hotel room it was €152.
Out of 44 countries surveyed it was found that Ireland had the sixth cheapest hotel accommodation overall  and Dublin was 11th cheapest for five-star accommodation.

One of the benefits of the worldwide economic downturn (from the point of view of the traveller) is the reduction in hotel prices all over the world. Dublin has become quite competitive in this regard making it a more attractive destination  than previously.

There is also downward pressure on restaurant prices and there is some evidence that eating out has also become cheaper and there is some prospect of further reductions if rent legislation is amended as expected. Many restaurants are offering special prices, early bird menus etc.

Many good accommodation deals can be got on hotel booking websites including Dublin Overnight. Check for your selected dates and find many hotels offering midweek specials, price reductions, offers of 2 nights B&B plus evening meal etc.

Many visitors to Dublin are on business or vacation and the usual leisure activity is either going to the pub, clubbing, eating out or going to a music gig. But there are numerous other leisure activities on offer in Dublin. Here are just a few.

Visiting The Guinness Storehouse has become the most popular visitor activity in Dublin in recent years. Located in James’ Street in The Liberties area of the city, this is where Guinness was brewed for over a century. Today it is a visitor centre with exhibitions, demonstrations and tastings during a tour of the converted building. It also has a gift shop which sells genuine Guinness merchandise and memorabilia. There are also bars and restaurants and visitors can easily spend a whole day at this venue.

Shelbourne Park and Harolds Cross are Dublin’s two Greyhound Racing stadiums. There is racing every night at either or both of these stadiums. Nowadays a night at the dogs is not just about greyhound racing. It usually involves drinks, dining and general fun and merriment as well as having a few bets.

If you’re a golfer you will be spoilt for choice in Dublin as there are over 50 golf courses in Dublin and its surroundings. Read the rest of this entry »

The first Jeanie Johnston was built in the year 1847 on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada and was purchased in Liverpool by Donovans from Tralee. The famine was raging in Ireland in those years, driving many of the starving native population to leave Ireland. Donovans operated a lucrative trade between 1847 and 1855 bringing exiles from Tralee to North America and coming back with merchandise for Europe.
The Jeanie Johnston’s maiden voyage took place on 24th April 1848 when she set out from Blennerville near Tralee to Quebec with 193 passengers on board. During the subsequent years the ship made many more journies to North America carrying more than two and a half thousand emigrants. The Jeanie Johnston was one of the better run emigrant ships – many ships carried passengers in appalling conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Ashford is in County Wicklow about 30 miles south of Dublin. Recently while visiting Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford I came across a nice B&B. Very comfortable and quiet and they do a great breakfast and (unusually for a B&B) an evening meal on request.
I would recommend this B&B, ‘Carriglen’ as one of the better Wicklow Bed and Breakfast accommodations that I have stayed in.
Also if you have time go for a walk in the Devil’s Glen nearby.

I just did a search on Dublin Overnight to find the cheapest 5 star, 4 star and three star hotels in Dublin (based on 2 night stay for 2 persons sharing starting 24th May 2010) and here are the amazing results:

5 Star hotel in Dublin: (Radisson BLU St. Helen’s Hotel): €59.50 per person per night
4 Star Hotel in Dublin: (Castleknock Hotel & Country Club): €29.50 per person per night
3 Star Hotel in Dublin: (Ardmore Hotel): €21.60 per person per night

Other great value 3 star Hotels:
Adams Trinity Hotel: €22.50 er person per night
Blooms Hotel: €25.00 per person per night

(Prices are as at time of publication and do not include breakfast)

Can anybody beat that for value?

The award-winning four star Herbert Park Hotel Dublin is now available for booking at Dublin Overnight.
Overlooking Dublin’s beautiful Herbert Park near the city centre it is a haven of luxury and comfort with excellent views.

More information & Booking of  the Herbert Park Hotel here