KingsWood Hotel Citywest

Like many mid-range hotels, the Kingswood Hotel Citywest has a rectangular and boxy construction. However, the dark-gray facade with bright-red accents offers a little more flair than most properties in its pearl class. A terrace with stained-wood benches and potted birch and evergreen trees softens the heavy aura of the cement building. Inside the lobby, two rows of mod, bucket-shaped armchairs give off a playful, retro style. Other parts of the lobby are more typical, such as a work area with long-leg chairs and cafe tables and a small bar with a few stools. The breakfast room, with polished-wood wall panels and chairs with colorful suede backs, has a decidedly upscale feel. The hotel restaurant, McGettigans Cookhouse & Bar, is located in a detached, pub-like stone building and was inspired by a New York loft bar. The exposed-brick walls, uncovered ceiling beams, and herringbone-wood floors combine for a trendy, artisanal finish reminiscent of a refurbished warehouse building. Some of the materials are more than 200 years old and were repurposed from the owners' other property in Dublin, the North Star Hotel. Guests tend to be business travelers with meetings in Citywest business park (where the property resides), or who'd prefer to stay in a less hectic setting away from central Dublin. 

The Kingswood Hotel is located within the 600-plus-acre Citywest campus, just off the national N7 roadway. The campus hosts over 130 businesses, including offices for Sony, Birds Eye Frozen Foods, and Fidelity Investments. A Riverwalk passes through the business park, which is landscaped to maintain plenty of greenery. Several restaurants are also located on the grounds. Other business parks are also within a short drive, including Greenogue (five minutes) and Baldonnell (eight minutes). A five-minute drive away is the sister property Citywest Hotel, which has a golf course and a 4,000-seat convention center theater. For tourists, getting to and from Dublin requires a drive or ride on public transportation. It's a 25-minute drive to the center of the city or about 40 minutes by bus, which stops right outside the hotel. The nearest Luas tram stop is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, and St. Stephen's Green are within 20 to 30 minutes' drive or about 45 minutes to an hour by bus. Travelers arriving at the Dublin Airport should expect the trip to be about 20 minutes by car or 90 minutes by public transportation.

The 129 guest rooms are not as stylish as the property's common areas, though they're not unpleasant. Decor is upbeat but somewhat clashing, with rainbow-colored throw pillows, fuchsia bed runners, and beige accent walls. However, rooms are nicely equipped with large floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable beds, and ample storage spaces. Other perks for business guests include free newspapers, coffee/tea facilities, sleek work desks, and small tables with armchairs. Each room has a wall-mounted flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. White-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos, and rectangular vessel sinks add a fashionable touch. Toiletries, ironing facilities, and hairdryers are provided. Guests have noted that rooms facing the N7 roadway can get some traffic noise. Room sizes vary from Double Room to Double and Single Room (with both a double bed and a single bed). There's also a Family Room for two adults, or one child and three adults, with space for an additional bed on request. Rooms can also be rented on a monthly basis as short-term accommodations. 

As a hotel catering to business travelers, Kingswood Hotel Citywest has most of the expected amenities, with a few notable exceptions. McGettigans Cookhouse & Bar serves up hearty, locally sourced pub fare, such as Pan Seared King Scallops with Basil Mash and Rib-Eye Steak with Garlic-Truffle Butter and Roasted Red Onion. The bar serves cocktails, wines, and beers. There's also a small bar in the lobby for drinks, and the lobby also serves an abbreviated menu for a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A breakfast buffet receives mostly positive reviews and may be included in the room rate depending on the type of booking. However, guests have noted that the breakfast room can get crowded during busy hours. Two meeting rooms are available, one small space for boardroom discussions and another that can fit up to 50 people. But the lack of a fitness or business center is surprising for a hotel with corporate clientele. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Parking is free in the on-site garage.