Temple Bar Inn

Temple Bar Inn is chic and modern, attracting a mix of tourists -- couples, friends, and families -- who want to be in the center of Dublin’s nightlife neighborhood, the Temple Bar district. Its modern facade, which is made up of glass, stone, and colorful tiles. might not be what you’d expect from a historic city. Guests step into a hip lobby with chic, rustic decor. Lights are low, exposed brick walls are complemented by abstract art work, and flooring varies from carpet tiles to variegated wood. A mix of customized seating includes circular pods, cozy couches, and boho-style fold-up chairs. The rustic theme comes from chic repurposed coffee tables with metal and wooden elements, while the breakfast area features wooden tables and room partitions made from whimsical fencing. The breakfast room has an intimate vibe with low-lighting, but adds color to the decor with bright chairs and green graffiti-style drawings on the walls. There’s also a lovely outdoor patio with garden walls, bamboo plants, and gray woven chairs and tables. Though the design is appealing and the location is perfect, the lack of on-site amenities makes some guests complain that the property is overpriced.

Located on Fleet Street, which turns into Temple Bar Street a couple of blocks down, the hotel is a great choice for tourists and nightlife-seekers. The area is filled with bars and restaurants, while many attractions can easily be reached on foot. Trinity College, which hosts the Book of Kells, is just a three-minute walk away. Dublin Castle is a 10-minute walk from the property, while St. Patrick’s Cathedral takes 17 minutes to reach on foot. The Guinness Storehouse is about a 10-minute drive or 20 minutes via public transportation. There’s a bus stop just outside the property, while the Tara Street railway station can be reached in six minutes on foot. Heuston train station can be reached in 12 minutes via public transportation, while Connolly Station is a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute drive. Dublin Airport is a 25- to 30-minute drive away, or 33 minutes via public transportation.  

Boisterously decorated rooms are modern and stylish, though a bit on the small side. Splashy moss-green details abound, including statement walls, bed runners, and curtains, Eye-catching, comic-book-style dragon paintings above the beds add a trendy flourish. But other elements are more subdued, such as the wooden floors and streamlined furniture. They also offer little in the way of storage space, with no closets or drawers. Not all rooms have good views, and the location brings about a lot of late-night or early-morning noise, so pack earplugs. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, minibars, laptop-size safes, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi, but there's no air-conditioning (though the hotel is working to install AC in the near future). Like the rooms, bathrooms are small on space, with showers and Karre toiletries. 

This three-pearl property lacks a restaurant or bar on-site, though there are plenty of dining and drinking options nearby. The hotel does, however, offer an extensive breakfast selection served every morning in the dining room or outdoor patio, or delivered to rooms for a fee. Breakfast options range from full Irish that includes sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and black pudding, to a lighter continental selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, pastries, and yogurts. Beyond breakfast, there’s not much else on-site in terms of amenities besides free Wi-Fi and computers available for guest use. Guests do have free access to nearby Crunch Fitness, an off-site gym with a fitness center and aerobics classes that’s just a two-minute walk away. Parking is available at a nearby parking garage for a discounted nightly rate.