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Dublin: O'Shea's Hotel

19 Talbot Street, Phone: 01.836.5670
www.osheashotel.com

Reviewed by: Momma's Traveling from VA, review #2432

When: September 2008

A moderately-price B&B in a very convenient location in Dublin. Despite several positives, there were significant safety concerns with the elevator.

A word about who we are and what we were looking for: 3 adults, ages 63, 73 and 80, traveling via public transportation, needing a double or twin and a single ensuite. We did not need (or want to pay for) luxury but did want a pleasant place, clean, in a safe area for walking at night, moderately-priced and comfortable.

This was a moderately-priced B&B with a good location, included full cooked breakfast, elevator, nice bright & spacious rooms, large bathroom with a tub. It had all the usual amenities: tv, hot water pot with coffee/tea, hairdryer, room safe. The staff, except for the manager, were all eager to please and friendly. The hotel had a pub and restaurant, and the pub offered free Irish music every night and was a lot of fun.

We had a lot of trouble finding rooms at a reasonable price in Dublin and felt we had made a good find with this one. When we booked, it was suggested we get a room on an upper floor due to the noise from the pub. We were on the fourth floor and it was fine. There were lots of restaurants, pubs, and a variety of shopping nearby. We did have to put a €20 deposit for the tv remotes. There was no information about this we called down that we could not find the remote; we shouldn't have had to ask.

The reason I am not recommending this hotel is that my husband and I became stuck in the (very small) elevator. We rang the alarm, pounded on the doors and shouted; we could hear talking but it seemed like a tv show and we could hear doors opening and closing and sirens on the street. But no one responded to us. This was early evening, and we were certain someone knew we were stuck (it was the only elevator, directly across from the receptionist) and would be trying to get us out.

However, it turns out no one realized we were stuck, the alarm did not work (there was no phone), and help did not arrive until another guest asked the receptionist why the elevator was not responding. The bartender was called and quickly got us out after 45 minutes. The receptionist and bartender were both concerned and apologetic. We rang the elevator alarm to check it out, and it did not ring at the reception desk as it's supposed to. We were offered a drink on the house and told the manager would certainly want to meet with us.

Late when going out to dinner, the receptionist said the manager was in and was concerned and wanted to talk with us. However, she soon returned and said the manager was extremely busy and could we come back later? When we came back, the manager was at the desk. He expressed concern but then stated that since no one was "hurt" all was fine, isn't that nice and offered his "sincere apologies." We mentioned our concerns about the fact that the alarm did not work and that no one knew we were stuck (what if it had happened at 2:00 AM when no one else wanted the elevator?). The manager did not directly respond, just stated that the elevator was routinely checked.

We felt this a superficial apology and inadequate response to a dangerous situation. The elevator did not have a phone, the alarm did not work, and staff indicated that there had been problems in the past with the elevator. The manager's response was insufficient and dismissive.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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