Convenient central location

Marsman Nov 2, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

I got there too early to check in and they held my bag so I could run around till the room was ready. Check in was normal, no ... problems. The room was very clean, but there was some mildew on the outside of the tub by the faucet end and the window blind strings were broken, I had to close them by pulling on the blinds. The view was of another building about 100 feet away, it looked like office,s and with the window open I could hear the Pub downstairs, but it wasn't loud enough to bother me. The bed was very comfortable and clean, the TV worked, the heater worked, and the free breakfast was great, over all for the price I paid was very happy with the hotel.

friendly staff, good value

Gonzo Oct 29, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

the most recent reviews (positive) of this hotel I think are more accurate than older (negative) ones--the rooms were clean ... and the hotel has a modern lift. The staff went out of their way on a bank holiday to accommodate those of us running the Dublin Marathon. I give it 4 stars for the value--you could easily spend twice as much and receive little more than what the Handel offers. Airlink has a drop off from the airport one block away (but no pickup nearby)

Best value in Dublin

James Oct 16, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

We stayed in this hotel for a few days while we toured Dublin. The Airlink bus dropped us off near Temple Bar and it took us ... about 5 minutes (with our luggage) to find the hotel. The location is great, it's a 2 minute walk to the center of Temple Bar, a 5 minute walk to Trinity College, and a 10-15 minute walk to the Guiness Storehouse. The reception staff was very friendly. Our room was ready early so they let us check in before noon. Before we went to our room the clerk took a minute to talk with us and recommend some lunch and some touristy things to do. She gave us a map and answered a few questions we had about the area. The room was in nice condition, was very clean. The bed was comfortable and had clean sheets and a soft comforter. There was a TV with a dozen or so channels. The room had provisions for making tea or coffee. There were some water spots on the ceiling, other than that, no complaints on the room. The bathroom was en suite, it had a tub with a shower. I've seen cleaner showers: water spots on the ceiling and some mildew in the grout. Cleaning staff consistently made bed and provided clean towels. Our room faced the street and with the window open, it was pretty noisy at night, but we still managed. If I stayed here again I would ask for a room not facing the street. Food is expensive in Dublin, so the fact that this hotel includes a made-to-order breakfast everyday is a huge money saver. The breakfast was very good: full Irish breakfast with eggs, toast, bacon, black and white pudding, choice of cereals, fresh fruit, coffee, milk, and juice. There are bars and restaurants right by the hotel, but its worth the 2 minute walk to Temple Bar to have a pint and some dinner. I would also recommend the historical walking tour that meets at Trinity College, it costs 12 euro, but lasts about 2 hours and is very well done.

Decent budget hotel in a great location

Avid Traveler Oct 5, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This is a cheap, budget hotel in a perfect location in Dublin. You can easily walk around the city and see all the ... sights. The staff was very friendly. I got wake up calls on two mornings, and both came right on time, even at 5:30 in the morning. Also, I had to leave so early one day that the staff set up a seperate breakfast for me which was very nice! the full irish breakfast in the morning was quite good too. But you get what you pay for. The rooms are old inside and many things did not work. The clock in the room was broken, and the remote control of the TV did not work. Also, there was a light out in the bathroom that was never replaced even though i was there for 4 nights. And the pillows on the bed were some of the worst I have ever slept on.

ehh

ItsMeStupid Sep 24, 2009

We arrived to the hotel late after hours and hours on a bus and then train and were too exhausted to care that the room was a ... bit dirty and in disrepair. By disrepair I mean things like the window was broken, both the pane of glass and the latch that held the window shut, there was what appeared to be water damage around the window, the wall was crumbling, discolored and the wallpaper was peeling off - I'm not talking a few square inches, I'm talking a foot wide by 3 or 4 feet high. The room wasn't filthy but wasn't great, it could've used a vacuum and the bedsheets had a few old stains, they were small but that's always a turn off when climbing into a strange bed. The next morning the staff obliged us with a different room no questions asked. The new room was cleaner but again had a large crack the entire width of the window and the latch was again broken. The replacement room also had 2 single beds instead of 1 queen size that we had paid for and the alarm clock didn't work at all but we accepted that in exchange for a nicer room. The broken window latches made the rooms a bit noisy in the early morning when traffic started up and trucks were moving around below since the window wouldn't seal shut - shoving a few pennies into the latch took care of that. The broken window latches are the only reason I marked this as noisy above, if you have fully functional windows, it probably wouldn't be too bad. Overall the hotel seemed like it was just an older place that was getting run down and in need of some fixing up. What I did like about the place is it's location, just on the edge of the Temple Bar area of Dublin, you are in walking distance of all kinds of restaurants\bakeries\pubs\shops etc. It's also just a few blocks from a tram stop. The hotel offers a full Irish breakfast free of charge, no namby-pamby bit of toast and doughnut here - we're talking bacon, suasage, eggs, beans and toast. There was also a table that had cereal and fresh fruit but who has room for that after a full Irish breakfast? The price on the room was reasonable, but I'm sure it was competitive with would be nicer hotels. All in all I would say that if you are looking for a place to stay near downtown Dublin, check elsewhere first. I wouldn't completely avoid this place if I went to Dublin again but it wouldn't be my first, second or third choice.

Dublin

Sonny Sep 21, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The location is great - within walking distance of everything, including train stations and bus stops. The hotel looks as ... little worn, but could look better if they paid more attention to small details such as removing mold and mildew from the bath room. One day we had to leave the hotel by 6:25 am to catch a tour. There was no electricity on our floor and it could not get fixed till 7:00 am we were told. They did not have any candles or other lights for us to borrow. So we had to shower in the dark. And it was completely dark. It would cost nothing, but would be helpful if they posted the daily weather forecast in the elevator every day.

Great hotel in a great location

Anna Sep 9, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The hotel is located right on the edge of Temple Bar, which is a very popular area with tons of shops and pubs and night ... clubs. The hotel is only a block away, but is just far enough to be pretty quite at night. The hotel has its own "pre-nightclub" so its a bit noisy until around midnight. The room itself was HUGE for a hotel in Europe. Most are very tiny, but this one had a queen bed, a couch, and still room to walk around.

Excellent Experience; Inexpensive

MaryAnne Jul 30, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Based on Previous reviews of the hotel I was thrilled to find a clean, up to date hotel with a very pleasant & helpful staff. ...

A place not fit for a king

Chefjoe Jul 25, 2009

Did Handel really play at the hotel? No, there was a music hall on the premise of the hotel long ago and it is a shame it is ... not there today. The room looked fine at first glance. There is no AC so you must use the ceiling fan. The fan is on the same circuit as the entrance fluorescent light so all night you have a bright light on; turn it off and it gets hot and stuffy. The bar singing was actually a good cultural experience. The Irish breakfast was not great. The staff is friendly and willing to help but not able to accomplish much.

unbeatable location for the price

none Jun 24, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

it was a perfect location, everything within walking distance. friendly, professional staff, but not intrusive. nice and ... quiet but really close to the temple area.

Cheap but not very clean

KMS Jun 11, 2009

If you choose to stay at the Geo Fred. Handel, bring along dust rags, tilex, and allergy meds. You'll need all of them here. ... The blinds (broken, which makes sleeping in Dublin in June almost impossible) were caked in dust. The tile was mildewed. The phone didn't work, as there was no chord. The fridge was not functioning. Breakfast was serviceable and the staff were available, if not exactly responsive to these problems.

I like this hotel

straight-shooter May 25, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Dublin's sights are all within walking distance and the 748 Airlink bus takes you to within a short block of the hotel. The ... lobby and restaurant looks dreary, but our room #302 was well-lite with two large windows. It had a sofa and table. It was clean and much more inviting. You'll need a light for a better night reading lamp, but we come prepared (when travelling in Europe's more economic hotels and B&B's) with cheap headlamps with adjustable directionality. I would certainly stay here again.

My Dublin Vacation

Kathy Apr 22, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Not terrible for the price, but don't expect anything fancy! Breakfast was good. You get a hot breakfast with bacon & eggs to ... order. They also have fruit, cereal, rolls, juice, coffee & tea.

great location

david Sep 14, 2007

Would recommend to a friend!

The George Frederick Handel Hotel has a great location, just one block from the airport bus. The hotel has no A/C so you ... need the windows open for ventilation. There was street noise, so if you are a light sleeper request a room not facing the street. We enjoyed the free breakfast.