The Alex

The Alex in Dublin, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its prime location, stylish design, comfortable rooms, and exceptional service. It's considered a chic and modern retreat offering a blend of contemporary luxury and classic Irish charm.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Alex is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "amazing," "brilliant," "modern," and "luxurious." It holds impressive guest scores, including a 9.2 out of 10 on Hotels.com and Booking.com, with comfort and staff receiving a high 9.6. The Michelin Guide also reflects strong guest satisfaction with a score of 18.4 out of 20.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Alex:

• Location: The hotel's "excellent location" is frequently highlighted, being centrally situated yet on a quiet corner. It offers easy walking access to many of Dublin's major attractions.
• Service & Staff: The staff are repeatedly described as "extremely friendly and helpful," "attentive," and possessing "wonderful personal skills."
• Design: The Alex is noted for its "beautiful design," "modern" aesthetic, and "chic" atmosphere, incorporating "low-key designer touches" and contemporary Irish art.
• Room Comfort: "Great, spacious, and clean" rooms with "very comfortable beds" and a "luxurious feel" are a recurring theme in guest feedback.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center, a pleasant restaurant (The Carriage), a vibrant coffee shop (Steam Cafe), and a unique Secret Garden terrace bar.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Alex are a significant draw for guests. They are consistently described as "spacious" and "ridiculously large," even for standard rooms. The beds are a major highlight, frequently called "super comfortable," "heavenly thick mattresses," and "massive."

In terms of design, rooms feature smooth aesthetics in shades of grey, charcoal, and blush-pink, complemented by blanket throws and retro-style radios. Some rooms are even noted to feel like a studio apartment due to their size. Modern amenities include flat-screen smart TVs with Chromecast, free WiFi, international electrical outlets, a mini-fridge, coffee/tea making facilities, and an in-room safe. Executive rooms offer additional perks like a private lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks.

Bathrooms are generally "swish" and "slick," often featuring a grey and green palette with Paul Costelloe accessories and striking elements like "green marble-esque" sinks. Guests appreciate the eco-friendly pouches for toiletries. While generally positive, one guest mentioned that shower pressure could be stronger.

4. Dining Experience

The Alex provides a variety of high-quality dining options:

• The Carriage Restaurant: This chic and spacious restaurant focuses on international cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients, offering an all-day menu with pub classics. Guests have praised the "exceptional food" and "wonderful and helpful staff" in the restaurant. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Breakfast: The buffet breakfast is a consistent highlight, described as "excellent," "delicious," "varied with many options," and "really good."
• Steam Cafe: Located beside the lobby, Steam Cafe is a vibrant spot for freshly brewed coffee, casual bites, and light refreshments.
• The Secret Garden: A beautiful outdoor terrace bar, ideal for al-fresco dining, cocktails, and private events, featuring a floral design and a retractable roof with heaters.
• Room Service: Available 24 hours a day for guest convenience.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Alex is a significant strong point, with staff receiving numerous accolades. Guests consistently commend the team for being "excellent," "extremely friendly and helpful," "attentive," and "friendly." Specific individuals, such as "Simon on reception," have been singled out for their exceptional service and helpfulness. One verified Michelin Guide guest highlighted the manager, Jason, and the entire staff for their "excellent service and wonderful personal skills."

However, some employee reviews on Indeed.com present a contrasting perspective, mentioning "poor management," a "bad job environment," and a lack of training. While these are internal observations, they are worth noting as potential areas for improvement from an operational standpoint.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Alex boasts an "excellent" and "centrally located" position in Dublin, situated on a quiet corner directly across from Merrion Square. This neighborhood is known for its Georgian architecture, historic sites, and vibrant shopping scene.

Many of Dublin's key attractions are within easy walking distance:

• Trinity College: 2-minute walk
• Merrion Square: 3-minute walk
• St. Stephen's Green: 7-minute walk
• Grafton Street (for designer shopping): 8-minute walk
• O'Connell Street: 11-minute walk
• Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: 15-minute walk
• National Gallery of Ireland: Steps away
• Temple Bar: 13-minute walk

Public transportation is also easily accessible, with Dawson Tram Stop and Trinity Tram Stop a short walk away. Additionally, a DART (train) station and several bus lines are nearby, making city exploration convenient. Dublin Airport is approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) away.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally consider The Alex to offer good value, with a "Value for money" rating of 8.7 out of 10 on Booking.com. While specific room rates can vary, the quality of the accommodation, services, and exceptional central location contribute to guests feeling it is "worth the cost." A guest noted that on-site food prices, such as a €15 sandwich and €4 coffee, are "pretty standard for a hotel." Private parking is available on-site for €15 per day.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms and recurring issues have been noted:

• Bathroom Updates: Some older reviews suggest that certain bathrooms "could use an update."
• Shower Pressure: One guest mentioned that the shower pressure could be stronger.
• Noise from Construction: A few guests reported noise issues due to nearby construction, though one guest on the back side of the building found their room to be quiet.
• Wi-Fi Charges (Historical): Older reviews sometimes mentioned a fee for Wi-Fi, but more recent information and guest feedback confirm that free Wi-Fi is now a standard amenity throughout the hotel.
• Internal Management Issues: Employee reviews, though not directly from guests, have raised concerns about "poor management" and a "bad job environment," which could potentially impact the guest experience if not addressed by the hotel.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. expedia.com
3. booking.com
4. michelin.com
5. oyster.com
6. youtube.com
7. thehotelguru.com
8. hotels.com
9. expedia.ie
10. thealexhotel.ie
11. indeed.com
12. indeed.com
13. indeed.com