Sandymount Hotel www.sandymounthotel.ie

Excellent, highly recommended, great quiet location away from the busy city centre, but not too far away to enjoy all of Dublin, will definitely use again

The Mount Herbert Hotel is in Ballsbridge area of Dublin approximately 100 yds from the Lansdowne Road DART station and the Rugby Stadium. The hotel has been in the same family since the 1950's

It is easy to reach, either by car from the Airport or Ferry Terminals via the East Link Toll Bridge (€1.45). The Hotel is even easy to reach if you do not have a car, using the Airport bus to the Bus Station and then DART from Connelly Street Station to Lansdowne Road Station, followed by a short walk.

There is only one bad point - access to the Hotel is via a stairs up to the first floor from the outside, so wheel chair access is questionable.

On entering the hotel reception is to the left opposite the entrance are the stairs to the conference facilities, a lounge area in tastful grey marl to the right. Opposite is the entrances to the Breakfast room/restaurant and to the bar. There is lift access to all residential floors. The Hotel is a non smoking establishment.

The bar sells good quality bar meals for around €10. The fish and chips are excellent, coming with colslaw and mushy peas. There is a childrens menu at €5,20. Access to the restaurant and bar are difficult for wheel chairs users. The main restaurant also serves a very good breakfast - fruit juices, cereals,yogurt, bread rolls, fruit salad and of course a hot Irish Breakfast - all of which are self service.

Our room had a double, single bed, a cot and ensuite faciliites. The room was well sized for a 3* Hotel. Ther are also rooms for the single traveller to rooms for a family of 4, even rooms with 2 double beds. Our room came with cable TV, all the Irish TV stations were available, plus those from Northern Ireland. Room Service is also available and the same price as in the bar.

The Hotel has a free secure car park, many Dublin Hotels have no car park or charge €10 or more per night, a bonus for anyone wanting to bring the car over on the ferry, plus is only about 15 mins from the ferry termnal.

The Mount Herbert is ideal place to base your stay. Dublin Zoo is approx 20 mins drive away, although the zoo is probably the only place I'd drive to. Far better to take the DART into Pearce Street or Connolly St for the city centre.

This is no doubt one of the better 3* Hotels in Dublim. Go and enjoy it.