During my trip across the Atlantic on the Airbus A321XLR, I had an overnight in Dublin, and I ultimately decided to stay at the 166-room Hilton Dublin Airport (DUB).
When I booked this trip, I had tentatively booked the Hilton Dublin Airport, simply because it represented the best value. However, when I posted about the trip and asked OMAAT readers where I should stay, several people specifically told me not to stay at the Hilton Dublin Airport.
So I was then determined to rebook, only to discover that most of the well regarded hotels were either sold out, or outrageously priced. So in the end, I stuck it out with the Hilton, and figured it would make an interesting review, if nothing else.
What’s my conclusion about this hotel? Well, it’s definitely past its prime, and it’s not actually particularly close to the airport. At least the hotel is good about elite upgrades, and the restaurant area is at least more updated than the rest of the hotel. I probably wouldn’t stay here again, but it’s also not a terrible hotel, or anything.
In this post:
Booking the Hilton Dublin Airport
My one night stay at the Hilton Dublin Airport cost €196. That’s not exactly cheap for an airport hotel, but clearly something was going on in Dublin over the dates where I was visiting, since virtually all other hotels were way more expensive.
As a point of comparison, if I had redeemed Hilton Honors points for my stay, it would’ve cost 50,000 points. Based on my valuation of 0.5 cents per point, paying cash was the better value.
Hilton Dublin Airport location & shuttle
For an airport hotel, the Hilton Dublin Airport isn’t actually that close to the airport. It’s roughly a 15 minute drive away, in a fairly quiet suburb of Dublin.
On the plus side, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service, which so many European airport hotels don’t offer. The shuttle runs every 40 minutes, from 5AM until 1AM, and you can find the shuttle schedule below.
When I landed at Dublin Airport off my Aer Lingus A321XLR business class flight, I followed the signage in the direction of buses and shuttles, with the Hilton’s shuttle leaving from zone 16. The signage was pretty clear, though it was a bit of a haul to actually get to this area.
The shuttle operated exactly on schedule, and to my surprise, it was a massive bus. I was the only person on the bus, so that feels like an unnecessarily large shuttle.
Note that the shuttle didn’t feature any Hilton branding, aside from a sign in the front window with the hotel’s name, so you’ll want to pay extra attention when looking for the bus.
After a fairly lengthy drive, I arrived at the Hilton.
Hilton Dublin Airport lobby & check-in
The Hilton Dublin Airport has a small and outdated lobby. There’s no seating in the main part of the lobby, though you can always just plop down in the lounge area of the adjacent restaurant.
I arrived a bit ahead of check-in time, and was told that my room wasn’t quite ready. However, the room was prepared within an hour, still well ahead of the standard check-in time. I was thanked for my Hilton Diamond status, and informed that I had been upgraded to a suite. While I’d also receive complimentary breakfast on account of my elite status, I’d be leaving too early the following morning to partake in that.
Hilton Dublin Airport suite
I was assigned room 324, located on the third floor (the hotel has five floors). The hotel could definitely use a renovation, as many parts of the hotel are outdated, and could use some TLC.
That was also true of my room…
On the plus side, I was upgraded to a suite. However, I can’t say it was actually a particularly functional space, at least for my purposes. Inside the entrance was the living room, which boasted two pull out sofas, that had been converted into beds.
There was also a desk area with a chair along the wall, a TV on top of a drawer, and a dining area with four seats.
The living room had a coffee setup with a selection of coffee and tea, plus some bottles of water.
The living room also had a half bath, with a toilet and sink.
Then there was the bedroom area, with a king bed and a desk with a chair. I’ve gotta say, I found the bed to be supremely uncomfortable. It was hard, and I could feel the springs in the mattress.
The bathroom situation was even worse. The bathroom had a sink, a walk-in shower, a tub, and a toilet. I found the walk-in shower to be tiny and awful — I couldn’t actually get the handheld shower “wand” to stay up and in a consistent place, and despite my best efforts, water leaked out of the shower, flooding the rest of the bathroom.
Toiletries were from Crabtree & Evelyn, in reusable, wall-mounted containers.
The room had balconies in two directions, overlooking nearby streets and greenery. Between the doors not opening and the spikes on the railing, it was giving slight prison vibes.
At least the room was big, I guess?
Hilton Dublin Airport gym
The Hilton Dublin Airport has a gym on the first floor (that’s the European first floor, so one level above the lobby). Oddly, when I went to access it, my key didn’t work. When I went down to the front desk, the front office associate sort of didn’t believe me, and walked up with me. He did indeed confirm it didn’t work, and then sent up a new set of keys, which were programmed correctly.
The gym was quite good, at least compared to most of the rest of the hotel. It had a decent selection of weight and cardio equipment, and I was happy to get in some exercise during my brief stay.
Hilton Dublin Airport Burnells Restaurant
Burnells is the only dining outlet at the Hilton Dublin Airport, and it’s quite a large and nice space. Unlike the rest of the hotel, this has clearly been updated in recent years, so it has a different vibe.
This is an all-day dining restaurant. Breakfast is served daily from 6:30AM until 10:30AM (11AM on weekends), and then the restaurant serves drinks, snacks, lunch, and dinner, for the remainder of the day, until very late at night.
Burnells has a lounge and bar area, consisting of couches, lounge-style tables, high-top seating, etc.
Then there’s also the main restaurant area, with dozens of tables.
You can find the Burnells menu here. I walked around the neighborhood in the afternoon, and then returned in the evening for dinner, so I could also work on my laptop at the same time. I ordered a Diet Coke to drink.
I didn’t find the menu to be terribly inspiring, so I ordered the pizza margherita. Pizza is my guilty pleasure, but I really need to stop ordering it at airport hotels, as it’s almost never good. As expected, this was no different, and it was very heavy.
After the meal, I ordered a latte to drink.
Hilton Dublin Airport service
I tend to think that hospitality happens at the margins, so often it’s the little aspects of an experience that we remember. So let me actually say something positive about this hotel — I was very impressed by the professionalism of the night auditor.
I departed the hotel very early in the morning (before 4AM). Prior to leaving my room, I already ordered an Uber, and then stopped by the front desk to check out. The friendly night auditor not only insisted that I cancel my Uber so that he could instead arrange a taxi at the hotel’s cost (I guess it’s something they offer when the shuttle isn’t running), but he also offered to make a coffee to take with me.
That’s genuine hospitality, and certainly left me with a more favorable impression of the stay, and was a nice note on which to leave.
Bottom line
The Hilton Dublin Airport isn’t terrible, but it’s not a property I’m necessarily looking to return to. The hotel is outdated, doesn’t have many amenities, and is actually quite a distance from the airport. For those looking for a convenient hotel close to the airport, I’ve heard that the Radisson Blu is a much better option.
On the plus side, the hotel has good elite recognition (I got upgraded to a suite!), the restaurant area is at least physically nice, and the night auditor was friendly and hospitable. Furthermore, the hotel was the most reasonably priced full service option I could find, so that has to be factored in as well…
What do you make of the Hilton Dublin Airport?
As you may have noticed when you were at the coach/shuttle pickup area, there is a Sofitel under construction. It will be connected via that pedestrian overpass so it will be able to say it's actually AT the airport. (Terminal 2)
196 pounds is less than 250 dollars? Where can I get that deal?
OK, it's euros, marginally cheaper that way.
I have questions about that "88% Plant-Based Water." Huh?
Packaging is plant-based
Stayed here twice last winter. Much less expensive than the couple properties nearer DUB (and I cant afford the fancy hotels that Ben usually reviews. ). I don't think 15 minutes is a terribly long shuttle ride. Decent breakfast as Diamond. And there is a public bus route in front of the property that stops in a couple of quaint waterfront towns where I took my supper.
My parents recently stayed at this same hotel. We looked at alternatives, particularly the hotels at the airport and the Crowne Plaza, and the cost difference wasn't justifiable, even for a one-night stay. And once you have to take a bus (for Crowne Plaza), the distance to the Hilton becomes less important.
Roundtrip transatlantic flights to Dublin are almost the same price as a night of hotel there these days. Have been wanting to take advantage of the cheap flights to Ireland to go to other places in Europe, but what you save in flights you pay in hotel especially since you usually have to stay overnight at least one way.
“Inside the entrance was the living room, which boasted two pull out sofas, that had been converted into beds.”
But…why?
I assume many early arrivals to a suite intend to bed children. It might be simply that housekeeping find sit easier to leave it that way.
Hasn't this happened to Ben before?
Would recommend the Shelbourne in the city centre for a good points hotel. As far as this location, not great for the airport or downtown but a nice quieter part of Dublin and if you have time and are here, check out Howth.
@ dn10 -- That's what I wanted to book, but at nearly $1,000 for the night, I decided the Hilton was the better choice, especially with my early departure.
Shelbourne is old and stuffy, and not in a cute way. The old folks residents at breakfast glare at anyone non-white or under 45, and the staff there and at check-in don’t even care enough to pretend to be welcoming. The base rooms are small enough as to only be suitable for one person, if you’re traveling as a couple.
The only positive memory I have of staying here many years ago is that the sausages at breakfast were among the best I've ever had at a hotel buffet.
One never forgets their first run-down hotel sausage.