FITZSIMONS HOTEL TEMPLE BAR, Dublin

The hotel sits on the corner of Temple Bar, putting all the area's popular pubs, nightclubs and eateries at your doorstep. Dublin Castle, the Olympia Theatre, and major shopping streets are all within a short walk. The Aircoach airport bus stops on O'Connell Street, about 5 minutes away, providing a direct 30-40 minute link to Dublin Airport. For those relying on public transport, Tara Street and Connolly stations are also within easy walking distance. Guests arriving by car should note the lack of on-site parking; the hotel has an agreement with Fleet Street and Jervis Street car parks for a 24-hour rate of €19. Getting around the city centre on foot is straightforward, and the location means you can walk to the Guinness Storehouse, Grafton Street, and Trinity College without needing transport. Because the hotel is in the epicentre of Temple Bar's nightlife, noise from the streets and surrounding venues is constant and significant, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when music can continue until 3am or later. This is a location that suits visitors who want to be in the middle of the action and are happy to trade quiet for convenience.

Room categories include double, twin and quadruple configurations. All rooms come with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and hairdryer, along with a TV with cable channels, a tea and coffee maker, a safety deposit box, and carpeted flooring. Many rooms overlook the River Liffey or the Temple Bar streets. A handful of rooms offer a private balcony or a terrace - these tend to be in higher demand. The room sizes vary significantly: some are described as spacious, especially on higher floors, while others are noted as compact, particularly those on the first floor. There is no air conditioning, and windows may not close completely due to missing handles; this, combined with no mechanical ventilation, means rooms can become very warm, especially in summer, and opening the window lets in the considerable street noise. Storage is limited - some rooms lack drawers or wardrobes, containing only a small hanging space. Soundproofing is minimal, and noise from the bars, live music, and late-night revellers is a consistent issue, particularly in rooms on lower floors directly above the pub and nightclub. To mitigate this, requesting a room on the third floor or higher and facing away from the street is advisable. Cleaning and towel changes occur daily; irons and ironing boards are available on request.

The hotel's restaurant, Paddy Mac's, serves dinner and offers European cuisine with designated vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options. Breakfast is available daily from 8:30 to 11:00 and costs €16 per person if not included in the room rate. The breakfast menu includes Full English/Irish, vegetarian and vegan choices, served in the bar area. Tea, coffee, juice and toast are self-service. The quality and temperature of hot breakfast items have been inconsistent on occasion. For guests who prefer to eat out, the immediate Temple Bar area provides dozens of restaurants, including The Boxty House, Elephant & Castle, and The Quays - all within a 5-minute walk. The hotel's four bars offer a full drink menu, nightly live music, and live sports broadcasts on large screens, with a heated terrace available for al fresco dining and drinking. Service in the bar and restaurant can be busy on weekend nights, so allow extra time during peak hours.

Leisure activity centres on the hotel's own entertainment venues. The four bars host nightly live music and show major sporting events on giant screens, while the Fitzsimons Nightclub offers music nights with top DJs. A rooftop terrace provides an outdoor area for drinks and socialising. Free evening entertainment includes karaoke, live music, live sport broadcasts, and pub crawls. There is no spa, swimming pool, or fitness centre on site. Guests looking for wellness facilities would need to use external city-centre options accessible on foot. The hotel is adults-only, so there are no dedicated children's activities or family-focused leisure facilities.

Free WiFi is available in all rooms. The 24-hour front desk can assist with check-in/out, concierge requests, and queries. Daily housekeeping is included and refreshes towels and makes beds; bedding changes are not automatic and may require a request. Express check-in/check-out is offered. Luggage storage is available for a fee of approximately €10 per day - useful for early arrivals or late departures. A lift serves the upper floors, and a wheelchair-accessible room is available. Safety features include 24-hour security, CCTV in common areas and outside, and in-room safety deposit boxes. The hotel accepts Visa, Maestro and MasterCard. An ATM/cash machine is located on site. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. There is no parking on site, but a reduced 24-hour rate of €19 is available at nearby Fleet Street or Jervis Street car parks. Taxis and ride-sharing services can drop off and pick up directly outside the hotel entrance. The minibar cooler located in some rooms can get very warm when not used.