Rathbane North Vacations from $354

Clean, comfortable, friendly and well located.

My wife and I stayed at this property for one night during our trip around Ireland. The room was small, with two separate beds and a compact bathroom, but it provided everything we needed. The heating worked well, which was a welcome detail considering the weather on the day of our arrival. The reception staff were friendly, and the private parking within the hotel grounds was definitely an advantage. What I found surprising, however, was the hotel’s policy of requesting debit or credit card details including the CVC code at check-in, supposedly as security against potential damages. I declined to provide the CVC code, as this is essentially the same as handing over the full card and PIN. The receptionist then called the manager, whose reaction was rather unpleasant. He insisted that “this is Ireland” and that such practice is standard in all Irish hotels. When I asked for a refund so that we could look for alternative accommodation, he eventually softened his approach and admitted that this information was not actually necessary. It is worth noting that no other hotel in Ireland, or elsewhere in the world, has ever required me to provide such sensitive information, and I find it difficult to understand why this property would. This experience is the main reason for my lower rating.

Wonderful work lace to stay!

This is a very small property in a 700 year old building. That being said, my wife and I had a nice stay. It is located conveniently in the Latin Quarter—right in the middle of shops, bars, restaurants, etc. It is easily walkable. There is no elevator and the stairs are steep. My wife and I are in our 60s so this presented a bit of a challenge, but the young lady who was present offered to help. We declined, but appreciated her willingness. The room we had (Shakespeare) was small but comfortable. The bed is comfortable. The air conditioning worked but could not be adjusted. The bathroom is tiny, but workable. We had breakfast included which was continental style. It met our needs each day just fine. While not a five star mega hotel chain, the experience was fun and the location couldn’t be beat.