Kinlay House

Kinlay House is located in a protected historic building that dates back to 1850. Inside, it's been decked out from head to toe in bright colors, though the original woodwork and structures remain intact. That colorful style reflects the energetic clientele, though most are here to partake in the more lively goings on happening in Temple Bar, the nightlife neighborhood where the hostel is located. Even so, the hostel can have a hub-like vibe. The sunny yellow and blue lobby opens into a large lounge with table seating and sofas -- where guests kick back, watch TV, and eat. It's an upbeat place with regular live music and a bubbly young crowd -- including school groups, backpackers, and students. 

Kinlay House has a superb location right in the heart of Dublin. It's set between buzzy Temple Bar and Christ Church Cathedral, just a five-minute walk to attractions like Dublin Castle and Dublinia. It's pretty easy to explore the city on foot from here -- it's a 10 minute walk across the river to the Jameson Distillery and about 15 minutes to shopping on Henry Street. St Stephen's Green and the Natural History Museum are also about a 15 minute walk. The Guinness Storehouse is a bit farther but can be reached in 20 minutes -- or buses run along Lord Edward Street, outside the hostel, and take about 10 minutes. Buses also connect directly with the airport in about 50 minutes -- it's around 30 minutes by car to make the same journey, and the hostel has a shuttle service (fee).

Rooms -- as with the rest of the hostel -- are brightly painted, often with several different colored walls in each room. It certainly helps lighten the mood, as they're otherwise incredibly spartan. Furnishings are generally limited to just hanging hooks and small desks, meaning that storage and seating space is limited. Configurations range from private rooms with en-suite bathrooms to 20-bed dorms -- many do have shared bathrooms. The dorms feature metal-framed bunks and some have under-bed storage. It's a shame there are no privacy curtains in the larger dorms, and guests have found they lack enough outlets as well. En-suite bathrooms are small and include showers, in a wet-room layout. Shared bathrooms have a tendency to get dirty quickly according to previous guests. Towels and toiletries must be rented or purchased. The central location means it can be noisy at night. Keep in mind that this is a budget property through and through, so there are no features like air-conditioning or TVs, though Wi-Fi is free. 

Kinlay House is a typical hostel, and its features match its category. There's a bright communal lounge that has tables, sofas, a TV with DVDs and Netflix, and PCs. A light breakfast is free to all, and includes toast, cereal, and fruit. The full kitchen has several ovens, kettles, and toasters, plus tableware, coffee, and milk machines. The hostel puts on regular evening events like movie nights with popcorn and live music. They also organize daily walking tours of the local sights and nightly pub crawls. The reception is manned 24 hours a day and has a good selection of essentials, including toiletries and chargers. Wi-Fi is free throughout. Safes and luggage lockers are available for a fee. Sister hotel Avalon House is a couple of minutes away on foot, and offers bike rentals and laundry services.