Amy Adejokun
Section editor
This big hotel on the banks of the Liffey can be seen from quite a distance. The Jurys Inn Custom House is a fairly modern hotel not far from the centre of Dublin and it has the advantage of being particularly spacious - a rarity in the Irish capital - as well as clean and functional (its recently renovated rooms make a pleasant 'pied à terre').
Jurys Inn Custom House Dublin - © Carlos Rodrigues / EASYVOYAGE
Jurys Inn Custom House Dublin - © Carlos Rodrigues / EASYVOYAGE
The hotel is less than a mile from the centre of the Irish capital and a 10-minute walk from O'Connell Street, in the opposite direction of the O2 Arena (concert venue) and famous Croke Park stadium. The 'Custom House' is just next to the eponymous Jurys Inn in the IFSC business district. Allow 20 minutes to reach Dublin international airport if you take the tunnel (which enables you to avoid the traffic jams and leave the city quickly), otherwise, allow 40 minutes. The Aircoach (?7 a ticket) and Airlink (?6 a ticket) pass close to the hotel and link Dublin to the airport.
All but 80 of the hotel's 239 rooms had been renovated at the time of writing in July 2009. The rooms looking over the courtyard are quieter than those looking out over the river (about 60 %), although these are not too bothered by traffic noises either thanks to the double glazing and a noise-proof window! The rooms are about 270 sq ft and consist of a comfortable (rather soft) double bed, plus a single bed in half of the rooms, and an unfolding sofa bed in the other half of the rooms. All the rooms have a television (16 channels) with a large plasma screen (in the renovated rooms), an Internet connection, tea and coffee-making facilities and a telephone. Every room also has a large black and white photo of one of the city's monuments. It goes without saying that the rooms which are still awaiting renovation pale in comparison to the pleasant and matching renovated rooms, with their pale brown carpets, pale wood headboard, white and carmine walls, and (just one) wardrobe. The impressive screen is set on a long, thick wooden desk. As for the bathrooms, they have also been renovated. They are quite big and decorated in black and white, with a large round washbasin, bathtub, hospitality products, and a hair-dryer. The other rooms are much more basic, eclectic and dated.
This hotel, which was renovated in May 2009, has belonged to the Jurys Inn hotel chain for 12 years. It is a big, rectangular and rather modern 7-floor building by the Liffey, with several lifts. Its long reception hall is bathed in light pouring in through the large bay windows. You can stand, or sit in one of the comfortable carmine sofas which offer a wonderful view of the river banks and the hustle-and-bustle of the street outside. The long lobby is just opposite the revolving entrance door and the hotel's restaurant and bar take up one end of the ground floor and can be seen as soon as you enter the building. Be aware that guests on the 4th floor can iron their clothes in a room provided for that purpose.
There is only one restaurant and a bar. The restaurant, part of which looks out onto the busy street, is divided into a number of different spaces opening out onto one another over two different floors, with a long bar, sofas and tables. The bar and restaurant areas, which are just next to the reception, are adjoining. The breakfast buffet is served in the restaurant or bar from 7:00am to 10:30am during the week, and from 7:00am to 11:00am on the weekend. Everything is self-service, including the juice and coffee. Lunch is served from 11:00am to 3:30pm and mainly consists of soups, sandwiches and burgers. In the evening, you can choose between the bar and the restaurant menus, which include a good range of fish and chips, burgers, pasta, snacks, etc. There is also a short wine list.
The prices of the rooms are liable to change when major events are hosted in Dublin. There is WiFi Internet access throughout the hotel, but guests must pay to use the computer.
beauty salon, sauna, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath, wellness
gym, golf, mountain bike, sports
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