Harvey's Guest House

Harvey's Guest House is in fact not 1, but 2 row houses on Upper Gardiner Street, right past Mountjoy Square, that have been converted into 1 large Bed and Breakfast if you will. Remember to call ahead when you will be arriving, because the owner might not be around because he has to pick up his mum at the airport.

I guess that already says it. Harvey's is a nice place with a homely feel and its overly chatty owner will make you feel welcome as soon as you enter the door. The rooms are pretty standard and it shows that it is an old converted house. Don't expect much of a view from your window, and don't let the leaning and creaking staircase scare you either.

You only get 3 channels on the TV and a lot of snow, but you're not here to watch TV, now are you? But it is standard operation when entering a hotel room to check if the toilet flushes and the TV works.

Breakfast is served in the cellar and is very decent. The owner will ask if you want tea or coffee and then he'll start chatting to you. Be aware that he will be baffled if you do not take scrambled eggs for breakfast. He will give you a few more options like sunny side up, and if you still decline, he will leave it at that, but he will have a very disappointed and confused look on his face. The next morning, you'll take the scrambled eggs. Trust me.

It's a nice place with friendly people and it's reasonably priced. In a city like Dublin, that turned out to be a lot more expensive than I had imagined, it's a good bet.

Harvey's is north of the river, about a 10 minute walk to O'Connell Street. Busses 16 and 41 both stop about 100 meters from the place on their way to/from the airport.