Dublin break

Just got back from a weekend break in Dublin. It was interesting to see Dublin, having never been to Ireland before. It’s a nice, characterful city, but the highlights were the traditional old pubs, the Guinness and the excellent microbrews from the Porterhouse — fine ales and stouts (better than Guinness — I wouldn’t order the food there again though).

Flights were out of London City — as always, the airport of choice if you can get a flight to where you want to go. Check in 20 minutes before take–off, in a cab within 10 minutes of touchdown on the way back… totally sweet. The slight disappointment was the hotel. We stayed at a five star (alright, we got a special deal on the standard rates) that is written up as being the absolute dogs and I had high expectations of it being fantastic. It certainly had the superficial trappings of luxury (flashy reception, smart staff, expansive lounge bar), but let down on the detail and the service. Some examples: the hot water in our room did not work (at all) during times of peak demand in the mornings or in the evenings, a request for a second pillow for the bed was dealt with unhelpfully (initial response “we haven’t got any, the hotel is full”, eventually a small cushion–shaped pillow being provided), the room was cold when we arrived, with the heating off. Not what you’d expect from a five star hotel.

Now you may say we didn’t pay the five star price, but if these organisations decide to run special offers in order to fill up capacity, they are in danger of ruining a hard–won reputation if they don’t treat their new customers just as well as they treated the dignitaries who used to visit before they lost all their wedge at Lloyds. Clients like me should be left aspiring to visit at full–rates in the future, thinking “wow, that place was fantastic, I can see why people pay the money” rather than thinking “these places aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, people who stay there at full price must have more money than sense, thank God I didn’t pay the £300 per night”. If your business model is no frills, (dare I say) Easyjet–style, fine. People should understand that you will not usually go much beyond your strict contractual obligations if they have a problem. But this was supposed to be a premium product and I’ve had a more comfortable stay at a Travellodge on the M1.