Pros

  • Modern hotel in leafy, fashionable Ballsbridge
  • Walking distance to the Aviva Stadium, Google European headquarters, the Royal Dublin Society, and public transportation
  • Home to popular Gasworks Bar and Restaurant with weekly live music
  • Bright, clean rooms include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers
  • Executive rooms provide Egyptian cotton duvets and bathrobes
  • Fitness center with a mix of cardio and weight-training machines
  • Two-story car park free of charge
See More Pros

Cons

  • Noise from bar can reach some lower-level rooms
  • No air-condioning
  • Some guests complain that beds do not offer enough support
See More Cons

Bottom Line

There's not a lot to find fault with at the 142-room Grand Canal Hotel, but equally little to get excited about either. It's a modern hotel with all the amenities expected of a mid-range property, plus a few more -- free on-site parking for one. Rooms are generally satisfactory, but an upgrade to an Executive Room brings such extras as smart TVs, CD players, Egyptian cotton duvets, and robes. The location, across from Grand Canal Dart Station and within walking distance of Aviva Stadium, the Bord Gais Theatre, and the Royal Dublin Society is ideal for some travelers, but the city center is at least a 20-minute walk away. There's a Dublin Public Bike Scheme station, one of 40 public bike stations around the city, right outside the hotel.

See More Bottom Line

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet

Oyster Hotel Review

Grand Canal Hotel

Scene

Modern hotel on historical site with the popular Gasworks Bar

Neat, modern, clunky and characterless from the outside, the Grand Canal Hotel has a lobby tastefully decorated in simple warm tones and paneling that exudes a warm yet contemporary sheen. Irish history buffs might be interested in the fact that it stands next to the site of Bolands Mill, which featured in the famous Easter Rising of 1916. Today its location makes it popular with business travelers (Google European headquarters is nearby, as is the Convention Center) and leisure visitors in town for an event at the nearby Aviva Stadium or 02 Arena. Locals also pop in for drinks and to socialize at the Gasworks Bar, bringing some local color to the hotel.

See More Scene

Location

Set in leafy upmarket Ballsbridge (Dublin 4), one block from the Dart train

The hotel is located in the leafy, upmarket neighborhood of Ballsbridge in Dublin 4, a couple of miles southeast of the city's center. One block away is the Grand Canal Dock Dart station (Dublin's light rail system) that connects to the city hub in about 10 minutes, as well as to some of the area's pretty coastline. The Aviva Stadium, home to Ireland's rugby and soccer teams, is a 10-minute walk away, while Google's European headquarters is a five-minute walk. An airport shuttle stops outside the hotel, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

See More Location

Rooms

Bright, clean rooms include large flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi

The hotel's 142 rooms, including two suites, are bright, fresh, and modern, with large windows and carpeted floors. Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Executive Rooms ramp things up with Egyptian cotton duvets, recliner chairs, smart TVs, and superfast Wi-Fi. The two suites go even further, with wraparound balconies and enough room to hold corporate meetings and entertain. All bathrooms are clean and modern, and provide tub/shower combos and quality toiletries. Some guests report that beds could offer more support.

See More Rooms

Features

On-site bar with live music and weekly DJs

Also popular with locals, the hotel's Gasworks Bar and Restaurant is a real social hub, offering an extensive bar menu, daily roast, and live music every week. The Lobby Lounge also serves drinks in smarter surroundings, while the Epic Restaurant provides a daily hot breakfast (for a fee) and contemporary dining for large groups. The chefs create baked treats daily, and a full Irish breakfast is served every day (for a fee). Guests also have access to fully equipped gym and a two-story car park free of charge.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Grand Canal Hotel

Scene

Modern hotel on historical site with the popular Gasworks Bar

Neat, modern, clunky and characterless from the outside, the Grand Canal Hotel has a lobby tastefully decorated in simple warm tones and paneling that exudes a warm yet contemporary sheen. Irish history buffs might be interested in the fact that it stands next to the site of Bolands Mill, which featured in the famous Easter Rising of 1916. Today its location makes it popular with business travelers (Google European headquarters is nearby, as is the Convention Center) and leisure visitors in town for an event at the nearby Aviva Stadium or 02 Arena. Locals also pop in for drinks and to socialize at the Gasworks Bar, bringing some local color to the hotel.

See More Scene

Location

Set in leafy upmarket Ballsbridge (Dublin 4), one block from the Dart train

The hotel is located in the leafy, upmarket neighborhood of Ballsbridge in Dublin 4, a couple of miles southeast of the city's center. One block away is the Grand Canal Dock Dart station (Dublin's light rail system) that connects to the city hub in about 10 minutes, as well as to some of the area's pretty coastline. The Aviva Stadium, home to Ireland's rugby and soccer teams, is a 10-minute walk away, while Google's European headquarters is a five-minute walk. An airport shuttle stops outside the hotel, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

See More Location

Rooms

Bright, clean rooms include large flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi

The hotel's 142 rooms, including two suites, are bright, fresh, and modern, with large windows and carpeted floors. Standard amenities include large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Executive Rooms ramp things up with Egyptian cotton duvets, recliner chairs, smart TVs, and superfast Wi-Fi. The two suites go even further, with wraparound balconies and enough room to hold corporate meetings and entertain. All bathrooms are clean and modern, and provide tub/shower combos and quality toiletries. Some guests report that beds could offer more support.

See More Rooms

Features

On-site bar with live music and weekly DJs

Also popular with locals, the hotel's Gasworks Bar and Restaurant is a real social hub, offering an extensive bar menu, daily roast, and live music every week. The Lobby Lounge also serves drinks in smarter surroundings, while the Epic Restaurant provides a daily hot breakfast (for a fee) and contemporary dining for large groups. The chefs create baked treats daily, and a full Irish breakfast is served every day (for a fee). Guests also have access to fully equipped gym and a two-story car park free of charge.

See More Features

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.