Home away from Home

Number 31 is what makes traveling in Europe fun and unique. If you want the Holiday Inn, don't stay here. If you want wonderful hosts and staff who go out of their way to make reservations, make excellent restaurant and sightseeing suggestions, etc., stay at Number 31. If you are in a hurry and don't eat breakfast, don't stay here. If you want an outstanding breakfast with a variety of choices and a chance to meet friendly people from all over the world, then Number 31 is for you. It is in a building that is over 100 years old, in an elegant part of Dublin, yet convenient to sights, shopping, etc.. It's age means that not all the rooms are the same - and each room has its own unique quirks. This is a place for people who love the unique and original - if you have special needs such as a room not on the street because you are a light sleeper (European hotels do not have air conditioning so there can be street noise, esp. on weekends) then email your preferences - Noel Comer will do his best to accomodate. We stayed there 3 different times and occupied two different rooms. The rooms in the Main House are more luxurious and the Carriage House is more rustic; but, all the beds and bedding were comfortable, the food was outstanding whether we stayed in delux or standard rooms and the people friendly. I preferred the delux room in the Main House because it reminded me of a Merchant /Ivory film but I'll go back to Ireland and to Number 31 because of the people. It set the perfect tone for our wonderful trip to Ireland.

Avoid Number 31: we had an awful experience

Thank goodness for feedback forums such as this to read REAL reviews by REAL people- not just the ads Number 31 runs. Don't believe the hype... the place is definitely shabby, not chic. Smells. No Hot water!!! C'mon- the place is a dump and they have the gall to charge absolute top dollar ($250 US, again not what they advertise). AVOID this hovel, and enjoy your stay in Dublin.

Charming, friendly, cosy and unique! A lovely experience!!

As someone who has stayed at No 31 on several occasions I just don't recognise the place as described in some of the previous reviews! I think staying at No 31 is a real pleasure!! The guesthouse itself is lovely - the communal areas are interesting, charming and much more pleasant than those at the impersonal chain hotels. The rooms are cosy and very comfortable. In fact, the whole place has a really nice atmosphere about it. The staff have never been anything but polite and friendly, and they go out of their way to make you feel at home. The breakfast is gorgeous and the dining area is such a pretty place to eat it in! If you want to stay at a hotel - where every one is the same no matter which country of the world you are in, and where you are just a room number - then go ahead! If, however, you want a beautiful and unique experience then stay here!!

OK, me too -- really disappointed

Like most of the other recent reviewers, my companion and I had read high praise of Number 31's bohemian shabby chic, and were delighted by the courtyard and entrance hall -- indeed, as far as the first room we were offered, which looked fabulous, had no windows, and stank of damp mould. We balked, and were grudgingly given a room with a French window over the garden -- which was just a well, as proximity to the cleaning stores in the hall infused this room with the persistent stick of disinfectant, to the point that ventilation was positively necessary; however, proximity to the kitchen above (where everyone seemed to be working in wooden clogs on a tiled floor) rather dulled the charm of birdsong from the garden. The room was rich in decorative details which looked less like boho chic than a series a botched jobs, the worse for wear. After two nights of this, we relocated to The Townhouse (which is not outstanding, but has sufficient charms) and were altogether happier!

Thiefs! NO Hot Water!! Smelled like BUG REPELLENT! I cannot stress how BAD No.31 is. Smooth talk, but a dump.

I cannot write a stronger review AGAINST No. 31. It unapologetically had NO HOT WATER!!! It SMELLED strongly of bug repellent, it was NOISY, it was VERY EXPENSIVE to boot!!! The owner is not to be trusted. Do NOT stay at No. 31; we could not leave fast enough!

Disappointing for the cost

I also decided to splurge for a stay at Number 31 with my two children in June, 2003. We were given a basement level room that was quite large, but, as one reviewer noted, more shabby than chic. It also had a mildewy odor. Our room opened onto a very dirty entryway that led to an outside door so it didn't feel very secure. And the view out the window was of a dingy stairway leading up to the street. The location was OK for us as it's a moderate walk away from the center. The public areas of the hotel are quite lovely, but I noticed that no one seemed to use them. Some of the staff were quite nice, while others were quite indifferent. And I've had much better breakfasts at very inexpensive B&B's. I felt that I had wasted money at this hotel where the amenities were no where near worth the cost.

Make sure you ask for a nice room!

We stayed here in October 2002 and were initially given what seemed to be a former locker/changing room with no window. We complained and managed to get moved the following night. The rooms in the main house are much better and I can't fault the staff or the breakfast. Just make sure you specify where you want to stay when you book. I wouldn't return because I think there are probably better places to stay that are more central.

Shabby Chic - or just plain Shabby

When I booked the hotel, it was the fourth most popular place to stay in Dublin on Trip advisor - by the time I got back it was going down the list fast - and I can see why. The rooms need some major maintenance. Loose sockets, broken windows, temporary covers over holes in the walls, baths which have seen better days, I was very disappointed. Only 1 member of staff was curteous. The hotel is next to a main road, which allows the Dublin nightlife right into your room.

Very noisy between 2 and 5 am - I can only agree with another reviewers comment - if you want a good nights sleep - don't stay here - for the same Euros you can enjoy quieter hotels, with better facilities and polite staff, closer to the centre

Interesting But Disappointing

Decided to splurge and stay at Number 31 after reading many different reviews and finding myself intrigued by the uniqueness of the hotel. We were disappointed. It is a beautiful building with a magical entrance and a lovely garden. Most of the staff was friendly and gracious with a few exceptions who were somewhat haughty. Our biggest disappointment, however, was with the general shabbiness and sloppiness of the hotel.

Although this isn't the most expensive hotel in Dublin, it is still rather pricey, and we expected a higher standard than we experienced.

It seemed to us that the management of the hotel are resting on their hype and are not running as tight a ship as they should.

Wow what a breakfast

A friend of mine and I stayed in Number 31 for 5 days in mid June 2003.

We stayed in the coach-house area (there is a seperate Georgian area which is more expensive) in a twin bedroom. The room was full of character and was very comfortable, particularly the beds. Breakfast was served between 8-10am, and the meal was often the highlight of the day! The cranberry loaf was spectacular, and the full Irish was also very popular. The hosts and staff took fantastic care of us - nothing we asked of them was too much trouble for them. All in all we would highly recommend Number 31 for anyone who visits Dublin. Well done Number 31!