The Blanchardstown Centre, Blanchardstown, Ireland | (888) 551-4925
Contemporary hotel with smart and playful interiors
Easy access to the M50 and Dublin Airport
Modern, colorful rooms provide quality bedding and aromatherapy sprays
Smoking rooms available (a con for some)
Upscale Italian restaurant, funky bar, and coffee shop offer a variety of dining
24-hour room service
Well-equipped fitness center has modern cardio and weight-training machines
Free shuttle to and from local business parks
Free Wi-Fi and underground parking
Poor location for exploring the heart of Dublin
Retail park setting unlikely to appeal to tourists
Rooms near elevators can be noisy
No spa
Set in a retail park seven miles from the center of Dublin, this large, upscale, and very 21st-century hotel is not the most convenient for tourists keen to explore Ireland's capital. However, if the location's not a problem, the hotel has plenty going for it -- not least of all, its fun, vibrant interiors, and rooms that emphasize comfort. On-site eating and drinking options are good, too, and there's a small fitness center (but no spa). If the lack of a pool is a deal breaker, check out the similarly-priced Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa a bit farther out.
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Scene
Faceless frontage belies quirky, colorful interiors
This Crowne Plaza hotel is a towering, glass-fronted building set in a super-modern retail park. Behind the faceless frontage, though, the lobby is a sumptuous and unique blend of wrought-iron art pieces, intricately-designed butterflies, and mosaic tiling. A long granite-topped reception desk is covered with inspirational messages, while hallways are bursting with colorful masks, quirky contemporary furnishings, and ornately-patterned wallpaper. The atmosphere is business-like, though playful, and it attracts a mix of business guests during the week and leisure travelers exploring the Dublin area on the weekend.
Location
Situated in Blanchardstown Centre retail park, seven miles from Dublin center
The hotel is located in Blanchardstown Centre retail park, about seven miles northwest of Dublin center and just off the N3 road. Dublin Airport is ten miles away, or about 20 minutes by car via the M50 highway, which also connects up and down the east coast of Ireland. A public bus that stops just outside the hotel takes 30 minutes to get into Dublin, while the nearest train station is Coolmine, two miles away. The hotel is surrounded by industrial estates and business parks, making it a convenient location for corporate guests. Recreational jaunts to spots like the National Aquatic Center, Tayto Theme Park, and the Dublin Zoo, are less than a 30-minute drive away.
Rooms
Patterned velvet bed throws and aromatherapy sprays
Views from rooms are nothing super special -- some rooms overlook the highway, while some face a shopping center. However, the playful and contemporary interiors are entirely different stories. Rooms are decorated in colorful velvet fabrics with patterned wallpaper, modern furnishings, and dark wood trim. In-room tech includes wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with remote keyboards, and free Wi-Fi, while high-quality bedding, air conditioning, and aromatherapy lavender sprays aid sleep. Modern bathrooms have walk-in showers and high-end toiletries, and some include tubs. Rooms on higher floors and away from elevators tend to be more quiet than others. Wi-Fi is free.
Features
Free underground parking and shuttle service to business parks
The hotel's amenities definitely cater to business travelers, who can take a free shuttle service to surrounding business parks in the mornings and the evenings, and take advantage of the property's conference rooms and business center. Underground parking at the hotel is also free of charge, and a fitness room -- though small -- is open during the day.Forchetta Italian Grill serves pasta, pizza, and grilled dishes in colorful, quirky surrounds. Slightly more sober decor can be found in the Sanctuary Bar, which offers drinks and light snacks, while the Inca Coffee Company is a good spot for a quick pick-me-up.
