Stayed in this hotel a couple of times now for its central location. twin room at 96 euro not great value for a 3 star hotel. Friendly receptionist. Strange set up in bar/restarant/cafe/grillhouse!!! you get 3 or 4 different menu for different parts of the lounge as far as i could see. 1 waiter looking after 5 tables was under pressure and had to wait a few mins for service while bartender twiddled his thumbs looking on!!! I understand that hotels have different policies and various job descriptions but surely a little but of multitasking would make it run a bit more efficient.
The following morning we went to the bar for a lucozade with my collegue. 6 or 7 women had ordered soups and coffees before us so the waitress was under a little pressure. She rang for help and in walks a young manager to the rescue. Only he had to be directed as to how he could assist! (it should be the other way around) .10 mins passed, we were still sitting at the bar not being served and the manager did everything he could to avoid eye contact and started to straighten chairs and polish clean tables. Everything but serve the only 2 other customers in the whole room!!! eventually got our drinks and my mate decided to order soup while i asked for a chicken sandwich. the soup came without and roll and when manager was asked for one my friend was given a stale roll...... my chicken sandwich on the other hand was plonked in front of me in a plastic triangular box like you get in the garages!! no side salad crisps nothing. as i asked for another drink with my sandwich the waitress hadnt time to listen and turned on her heal to get back to a customer at the bar. she seemed vexed when I signalled for service "yet again" and beckoned me to go to the bar.
I see I am rambling but these stories are hard to tell without a bit of a ramble. bottom line is on a quiet Sunday morning staff werent up to scratch and left a bad taste in my mouth. so wont be heading back for a third time!! also you have to pay for oarking in nearby multi story, rooms are small and there is no residents bar :(
Could be a good hotel with better staff management a customer service.
Room Tip: go to the gresham nextdoor!!!!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
3 February 2012
Dear Trip Advisor Member
Thank you for submitting your review. I am very disappointed that you didn’t have more of a positive experience with us. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for not having met your expectations on this occasion.
I have tried to respond to your points in order of your review.
We have 3 restaurants in the hotel, all located off the main bar. Our Grill Bar and Bistro is within our bar just off the lobby and to the rear of this we also have our Abacus all you can eat Chinese Buffet which is only open in the evenings and our Oscars breakfast room which is only open in the mornings for breakfast or for private dining. From gathering my information within the hotel I can see that you visited the Bar on a Sunday and seemed to clash with an impromptu meeting that was going on within the hotel. Our restaurant doesn’t open for business on Sundays and we only operate a coffee shop style service for soup and sandwiches and these are pre prepared in advance and packaging is rquired for a seal of freshness, and they are offered at reduced special rates of €5.95 which differ from the table service and fresh produced soup and sandwiches served during the restaurant opening hours where prices start from €11.95.
I would also like to mention that the assistance came in the form of guest services staff at the time in question and not a member of our management team.
In regards to parking I’m afraid we don’t have a hotel car park but we do offer a 40% reduction with Clery’s Q park for our hotel guests.
I would like to apologise again for any inconvenience caused during your stay and I do see that you have stayed here a couple of times and would very much hope that you will visit us again.
I would look forward to you contacting me directly at claire@academyplazahotel.ie for any future bookings and we will aim to make your stay a more enjoyable one
Kindest Regards
Claire Kiernan
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC