I was there for 4 nights in July 2011. I arrived after a short taxi ride from the ferry dock into a July Saturday night around 8 PM. As I got out of my taxi, I was immediately taken up by the mood of the street - it was obviously warming up to a great summer's Saturday night.

FYI - I travel on my own and am a "young-ish" 60 year old.

As I entered this boutique hotel, I was immediately enveloped by an Old World (well, what did you expect? ... it's right in the middle of a Old World city!) lobby, not too big, not too small, with lots of dark wood and a very welcoming front desk complete with a young lady who would see me arrive 3 times later in the next 90 minute to ask mundane questions... all of which she answered easily and with a smile.

As suggested by T-Advisor reviews, I asked for room off of the front that faces the street and was very pleased with it. No AC but that didn't matter as the weather was quite comfortable. My room faced onto a back area of the building but was not unpleasant at all. I had booked a single bed room and the room size was comfortable. the bathroom was a good size and worked very well. Lots of hot water and good pressure.

The elevators worked well.

Maid service was perfect.

Continental breakfast was included but I found it to be a bit dispointing. You could upgrade to a full breakfast but even that was not as good as it should have been for the up-charge. However, the desk staff recommended a few incredibly good breakfast places within a few minutes walk so that was not a problem and it got me out into the neighbourhood.

The location is superb! ... truly 5 minutes walk to Trinity College, the Tourist Office where all sorts of bus tours start from, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Grafton Street (the pedestrian mall).

A highlight of The Central is its Library Bar... it is like two large joined living rooms with a bar is the corner complete with comfortable seating areas and, just right for a single traveller, some high winged-backed chairs - just perfect to sink into with a good book and a cold Guiness after a night of pubbing - open, I believe, to midnight.

The price was amazing considering all I have said above!

On leaving, I was able to grab the airport bus just 2 short blocks away.

(... and the young lady who handled my checkout at the front desk, upon listening to me wax eloquently about the incredibly central location of the hotel, did not even make me feel sill y when she said, wit that lovely Irish accent, "That's why it's called The Central Hotel, sir"!)

I'll be back for sure!

I have been travelling on business around the world for over 20 years and this is the worst hotel I have ever encountered.

1. Upon arrival the dates of my booking were wrong, although a room was available
2. Although external noise was a nuisance, I acknowledge this is part and parcel of a city centre hotel.
3. I got up for a run at 6.30 am on the first day and the front door was locked and reception deserted. Eventually 20 mins later the night porter came back apparently having been cleaning part of the hotel. This is a common theme in the hotel - understaffing.
4. The water pressure in the shower was awful and the heat of the water was tepid.
5. On the second day of my stay my room was not cleaned at all.
6. On my final morning the lighting circuit in the room had blown a fuse. Although this was remedied within 20 mins, it then blew once again within 5 minutes and took another 20 mins to remedy.
7. On the second day of my stay, I went for breakfast at 8.30 and there was one person trying to look after nearly 20 people. It took 10 mins to take my order (an omelette) which took 20 mins to deliver and then the order was completely wrong. It was very clear that I wasn't the only person who experienced the same level of service that day. Again another example of understaffing. I note the hotel manager when answering these reviews claim a 90%+ occupancy rate but they seem unwilling to invest in staff who can meet this demand.
8. On that same day, I wasn't offered any tea and in desperation I had to resort to a prepackaged scone. It seemed to me that all the food that wasn't made to order had simply been bought from the local supermarket and indeed after this experience I went to Dunne's across the road to buy my next day's breakfast. Better quality and value.

I wont even bother to tell you how bad their so-called conference rooms were. The reviews from the participants were very unfavourable.

On a positive note, the WIFI was free and the signal was excellent.

2nd stay but just as good as the first! Great location and decent price, staff very friendly and uber helpful. Def. recommend.

Stayed at this hotel for one night sat 14th Jan 2012. Hotel is old style but lovely. Room was a bit small but clean and had tea/coffee facilites. Only problem was the hairdryer came away from mainswhen using it which meant a very messy hairstyle the next morning I didnt care though cause we were heading home and had the car. So all in all a good stay at the Central and would go back.