How to Get There
You need to get to O'Connell Street, City Centre in Dublin to get to Jurys Inn on Parnell Street. You have a choice between taxi which is about twenty-five euro, a double decker city bus numbered 747 which is six euro one way or ten euro for a roundtrip or "return" ticket or you can take an aircoach bus by purchasing a single ticket for seven Euro or a return ticket for twelve euro. I opted to purchase an aircoach ticket on line because the aircoach (as well as Dublin airport) offers free Wi-Fi. I used the following link, http://www.aircoach.ie/aircoach.fares.php, and purchased my ticket on line and was able to print it in less than three minutes.
When you exit the aircoach bus on O'Connell Street (which the bus driver calls out) the bus will be headed south and the Grisham hotel will be next to the bus on the east side of the street. Walk north in the opposite direction toward the statute of Parnell which is two short traffic lights away. When you reach the statute turn left and walk two blocks and Jurys Inn is on the left. It takes four minutes from the bus stop to the Jurys Inn front door.
The Service
I reached the lobby exhausted at 9:10 am and my first reaction was that this was a nice hotel for what I paid. The lobby was spacious bright and airy and there is a coffee machine and a large front desk check-in area. I was lucky enough to be checked in by Gabriela who was assisted by Vaso Laziz. I could not have been treated better. I was extremely thankful that they took the time to fine a room that was ready and Gabriela tried really hard.
Vaso Laziz deserves his own mention. What a nice man. Thirty hours after I checked in I left my room and knew immediately that I left my key inside I walked up to the front desk and asked for a key and Mr. Laziz said Ah Mr. Isler in room 404. I have no idea why he remembered me but I was impressed as all get out. If you need directions to any place in Dublin or suggestions ask Vaso Laziz. He is just a "major dude" who will spend the time taking care of you.
The rooms at Jurys Inn were really spacious and I would suggest getting an even-numbered room that looks down onto Parnell Street so you can people watch. There are quite a few positives. The hotel is about ten minutes from a light rail stop and three minutes from a bus stop. The people at the front desk are the friendliest people you will ever meet. The hotel is well insulated and the windows open wide if you like fresh air. The bathrooms are brand new clean as a hospital ward. The toiletries were really nice as they provide Gilchrist & Soames bath and body products. There is no mini bar or refrigerator but there is ample closet space and hangars, a work desk, Wi-Fi and a really wide toilet. The WI-Fi was excellent from my fourth floor room and I was able to access my home "slingbox" and watch NFL games with ease.
This hotel is well located and you can walk to almost all of the major attractions and shopping areas. Again, this hotel was bargain priced but clearly does not look like a bargain basement hotel. There are two supermarkets within one block as well as several convenience stores and you can walk to absolutely fabulous shopping in ten minutes.
Here are my suggestions and tips:
1. When you retire for the day bring soft drinks;
2. If you prefer "bar soap" bring your own;
3. Spend some time on Mary's Street and check out Marks and Spencer (bring the platinum card only) and check out some of the amazing street performers;
4. Visit City Hall, Pioneer Park, statues on O'Connell Street, Temple Bar, the River Liffey, Dublin Castle, George's Street Arcade, St. Stephen's Park, Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Patrick's Park, St. Werburg's Church, the Smock Alley Theatre, Four Courts, The Brazen Head Pub, St Augustine & St John Church, and the National Museum of Ireland;
5. Have drinks at The Brazen Head Pub, and Parnell's Heritage Pub & Grill;
6.Eat at Ray's Pizza, The Church Restaurant and the Kingfisher for fish and chips;
7. The streets in Dublin are made of stone so this is no place for old luggage with bad wheels;
8. The streets in Dublin are made of stone so this is no place for Italian loafers. Wear comfortable shoes, you can forget style here, the Irish do not appear to be that fashion conscious as far as footwear is concerned; and
9. Bring a London Fog type jacket and an external phone or camera charger because charging stations are expensive.
10. the duty free shopping at the Dublin Airport is amazing and you declare customs at the Dublin airport not in the United States so most flights will not have duty free buy on board on your return flight;
11 if you are eligible to gain entrance to the Aer Lingus Club go very early but remember you go through security after leaving the cub so find out when your flight is called by the club and leave fifteen minutes sooner. This allowed me to clear customs in about three minutes. read more
