Brooks Hotel
Dublin
by Sarah Shuckburgh
The two best features of this Dublin hotel are its location
- minutes from Grafton Street shops, Trinity College and the
pubs and live music of Temple Bar - and the warmth and
friendly charm of its staff. Brooks Hotel lacks the stuffy
formality of many 4-star hotels, and everyone who works
here, whether they are receptionists, waiters, managers or
cleaners, greets each guest with smiles, good wishes and
blessings. They really are interested in you. Nothing is too
much trouble. For Londoners like us, this friendliness was
quite overwhelming and wonderful.
Brooks styles itself as a boutique hotel, and is the only
member of Small Luxury Hotels in Dublin, but with 98
bedrooms, it is not exactly small. Nor is this purpose-built
hotel eye-catching or elegant. It opened in 1997, and an
annexe with bar, spacious new dining room and extra
bedrooms, was added in 2004. The hotel stands in an
unexceptional street, facing a bleak multi-storey car park -
no Georgian architecture in sight. The rooms at the back are
quiet, but at the front you may be roused by clubbers going
home in the early hours.
The interior décor is well-appointed and comfortable, but
Brooks lacks the intimacy and history of some other Dublin
hotels. The bedrooms come in a choice of 'traditional' or
'modern' furnishings. An unusual feature is the pillow menu
- useful if you are allergic to feathers. The more expensive
rooms have video and DVD, but every room has TV, iron,
mini-bar, tea-making equipment and air-conditioning.
Breakfast was delicious. I had porridge with Irish whiskey
stirred in, and felt set up for the day.
Tucked away in the basement is a pretty panelled sitting
room, for hotel guests only (entry with your room key). It
would be a peaceful place to relax in - cosier than the
open-plan foyer and bar on the ground floor - but we kept
forgetting that it was there, and never used it. Also in the
basement is an embryonic business centre, with free internet
connection to its one computer; there are plans to put
broadband in every bedroom. There is also a small gym and
sauna.
First published by Travel Intelligence Ltd
©SarahShuckburgh |
