Motel One Hotel, Dublin

As one of the most successful budget design hotel groups in Europe, Motel One opened its first hotel in Ireland in June 2023, embracing the local culture scene by adapting James Joyce’s literary masterpiece “Ulysses” as its theme throughout the hotel.

Location

Motel One is ideally situated just two minutes walk from the iconic Ha’penny Bridge and the north bank of the River Liffey, providing immediate access across the bridge to the buzzing, cosmopolitan and trendy Temple Bar area. From here, the cultural hotspots around Merrion Square, Christchurch, St. Stephens Green, as well as the shopping district around pedestrianised Grafton Street open up.

The hotel is also located around the corner from the northside’s main shopping district of Henry Street, with the extensive Jervis Shopping Centre also less than two minutes walk away.

Immediately outside the hotel is the Jervis Luas tram stop, which will provide transport across the city and beyond. It will also connect visitors to Dublin’s main rail stations, Connolly and Heuston, enabling direct access further afield across the country. Bus stops which provide cross-city travel are located on Bachelors Walk (200m away) and there are two Aircoach connections to Dublin Airport approximately 300m away, located on O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge.

Arrival and Style

Motel One group is renowned for connecting their hotels with the history and culture of the host city. So there can be no mistaking where you are when you walk into the atrium of this hotel, as a bright and recognisable “Cead Mile Failte” (a hundred thousand welcomes) sign greets you. This feels entirely in keeping with what you might expect from a hospitality premises in the capital of Ireland.

The style of the foyer, the lounge area and the bedrooms all contain design elements relating to Leopold Bloom (the protagonist of James Joyce’s novel “Ulysses”), an everyman undertaking everyday wanderings around Dublin. The literary theme is demonstrated further in the One Lounge, where dark wood panelling creates an old-style but comforting space. A number of different books are available to read, or maybe even curl up beside the welcoming fire. Look out for the suspended metal shelves over the bar, intended by illustrator John Rooney, as a reference to the nearby Ha’penny Bridge. Check-in was prompt and welcoming.

History and Culture

Motel One is a German owned hotel group and Motel One Dublin is a brand new hotel (since June 2023). The history of the hotel is therefore yet to play out. What is on offer to the visitor though is a very modern, quirky, high quality, uniquely designed accommodation choice. The “culture” on offer is, as described above, heavily but charmingly literary themed and will appeal to bibliophiles and fun seekers alike. The overall ambience within the hotel lends itself to a different kind of culture – it feels very relaxed, casual and ultimately very comfortable. Everything you want from a convenient, budget hotel.

Rooms

The “Joyce” theme continues to the bedrooms, with mural wallpaper of Joyce quotes and images embracing the space behind the Queen-size box-spring bed. All rooms are equipped with original designer furniture by Freifrau and a table by B & B Italia. For a budget hotel, Motel One Dublin punches above its weight with standard room features, which include Flatscreen TV, luxury fluffy towels, organic linden flower toiletries and 100% Egyptian cotton bedsheets. Bathrooms are modern, designed with granite interiors and a very pleasant Hansgrohe rainshower.

Food and Drink

The hotel contains just one eating and drinking location, the aptly named “One Lounge”. It is open 24 hours a day and presents itself as a multi-purpose, multi-functional space. It simultaneously provides a place where visitors can work, socialise, eat and relax. There is a bar which serves most main alcohol and non-alcohol beverages, and which also has a particular whiskey niche. Food during the day is limited to nibbles and small plates, but there is no lunch or dinner service. This is down to a Motel One Hotel policy which prefers to support local restaurants and eateries in the cities where they locate their hotels. It is an admirable approach to integrating the hotel into the local community but can leave hotel visitors feeling somewhat disadvantaged with an inconvenience factor. Buffet breakfast is also served in the One Lounge and reflects another Motel One Hotel policy, to only serve organic, locally sourced food (where possible). Various diets and food intolerances/sensitivities are catered for.

Facilities

This a centrally located budget design hotel and facilities available within reflect this. As a city-based hotel, there is a 24 hour reception to accommodate the likely variation in its visitor’s needs. It caters for the leisure visitor as well as the work-based traveller with the 24 hour opening of its One Lounge, which has wooden work benches and, adjacent to it, a boardroom which is available as a meeting space for up to 16 people.

• Free WiFi
• One Lounge Bar is open 24/7 for drinks and snacks
• Reception open 24/7
• One Boardroom (max. 16 people)
• Organic breakfast buffet
• Non-smoking hotel

Access for guests with disabilities

The property is fully accessible.

Family Friendly

The hotel’s central location makes it a very suitable base for a family holiday with transport links right outside the door and access to many of the city’s green spaces just a short distance away. Children aged up to 12 can share the room with parents free of charge and breakfast is complimentary for children up to age 6.

Rates

Standard room from €125. Buffet breakfast from €25.

Niamh stayed as a guest of Motel One Dublin.