The Clarence

Overall, unimpressed. Everyone except the bell boy was snooty. For the price we paid in far better hotels on our trip. You want an excellent boutique hotel, head to Paris & check out HOTEL DANEMARK...my favorite hotel experience by far. We paid about the same for that place and it had all the chic/boutique feel you could ever want! Sorry Bono, next time my money goes to another place in Temple Bar.

Overall the service experience was good and the location in Temple Bar is great, but the hotel itself is old and rundown... borderline hostel caliber threadbare rugs, worn and dirty furnishings/walls. No a/c, which is probably not an issue the majority of the time in Dublin but on a humid weekend the room was unbearably hot to sleep. Even worse, room windows opened into a courtyard/outdoor neighboring bar which was packed and loud until 3:00am each night so opening the window for any breeze was a trade-off. Had I not been in Dub to party myself, it would have been unacceptable; we're talking 100+ people and loud music less than 50 feet from the open 2nd floor window. Other notable issues, neither the tub or sink drains worked so if you were 2nd in the shower you were wading in 8 inches of dirty bathwater. A single room key (physical key with the room number on it, so don't lose it!) and ridiculous lobby security made coming and going a hassle. All of it was very "hostel" like, which is fine if you are wanting that experience and there is a hostel just around the corner that I've stayed at before and had a fine time. But to spend $250ish/night for something represented as a 5* property and get this is not just disappointing, it's a lie.

The room was very small but the furnishings were quite nice. I thought their Internet service was pricey, and when I entered the hotel without my husband, the doorman was about to ask me to leave. I also witnessed this happen to a young local woman who came to visit friends (who were guests) for tea in a public room.

Words like luxury and premier do not align with my experience. The rooms are small, spare, and in need of renovation. In one of our rooms the carpet was threadbare. Rooms along the back of the hotel are subject to incredible noise from Temple Bar until 4 AM. Good location for all attractions. Staff was friendly.

Located near Temple Bar, the location is solid for popping down to Dublin Castle, over to Trinity College and the Book of Kells, or even a short walk to the Guinness Storehouse.

A great location right on the Liffey and Temple Bar is out the back door. Accessible to the center of Dublin, Trinity, the Four Courts. The Clarence sits on a street of derelict buildings. You find it by two planters sitting outside on the street in front of a narrow door. The sign above the door discreetly says "The Clarence". Good thing the cab driver knew where to take us - it looks nothing like the photo on the website. I had lived in Dublin and I would have had trouble recognizing it from the exterior. But don't let that dissuade you! Inside is a a wonderful hotel, full of beautiful wood, a study, great bar and rooms that are spotlessly clean. The beds are huge and down-covered; the towels thick and big; and the furniture tasteful and understated. A real surprise. There was zero ventilation in our room. A fan. When we opened the windows the noise from Temple Bar was incredible - so we lived with some noise, some fanned air, and some of both. What made the Clarence so special was the staff. They are an amazing group - from the people who cleaned the rooms, the bartenders, the staff at the desk who found us tickets to plays and concerts - to the people who watched the front and back doors and never failed to welcome us back and ask if we had a good evening. We ate out. The food was way overpriced. A block away you could get the same breakfast for 5-6 Euros less. There is a late hours grocery/deli/store at the end of the same block (go left out the front door). They had great sandwiches. Taxis were called for us and they were prompt, even early. Newspaper delivered to our door every morning. The staff found us tickets to the National Concert Hall (Altan) and the Abbey theater, then confirmed them before we left. I would go back in a heartbeat. We loved the Clarence. They have bought the buildings on either side and are expanding - what a renewal that will bring to the street and the neighborhood.

Spent the weekend in Dublin. First night was a bit noisy, but staff changed the room the 2nd night. Excellent service and great location near Temple Bar.

Right from Check-in the staff was amazing. The front desk/concierge was friendly and very knowledgeable. The rooms were spotless and comfortable. We got room service twice, a little pricey perhaps but the food was very good and brought up quickly. The only thing negative of the whole stay was the small tv. But if you are just there for 1 night or out walking around the whole time then it doesnt really matter. Overall a great experience!

The hotel was central, very clean, and had great service. The real down side was the NOISE from the street. The hotel is conveniently located, but that also means that it is right next to the Temple Bar, and while it has great shopping and pubs, there is a ton of noise that goes with that through all hours of the night. The food in the hotel bar was great as well, so a nice place to grab a quick bite late at night.

Great location beautiful hotel very well kept. Exceptionally friendly staff. Very knowledgable of where to go and where not to go. Can't wait to go back. Super deal. I highly recommend staying there.