The College Green Hotel, Autograph Collection

The College Green Hotel, Autograph Collection, a Michelin Key Selected property in Dublin, Ireland, generally receives positive feedback, particularly for its prime location and elegant ambiance. While many guests enjoy a luxurious stay, some experience inconsistencies that temper the overall five-star impression.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The College Green Hotel typically garners "Very Good" to "Exceptional" ratings from guests, with an average overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Marriott.com and an average of 8.9 out of 10 on HotelsCombined based on over 600 verified ratings. Many guests describe their stays as wonderful and appreciate the hotel's ability to offer peace in the city's heart. While the general consensus is positive, some guests feel the hotel doesn't always meet the high expectations associated with its five-star rating, particularly concerning service and value.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of The College Green Hotel:

• Location: The most frequently cited highlight is the hotel's unbeatable central location, directly opposite Trinity College and within walking distance of major attractions like Temple Bar, Grafton Street, and the National Museum. It's described as an ideal base for exploring Dublin.
• Design & Ambiance: Housed in three historical 19th-century buildings, including a former bank, the hotel boasts a grand and opulent design, with features like a stately lobby with columns and a cellar bar with vaulted ceilings. The interiors are noted for their blend of contemporary luxury and historical elements. The Atrium Lounge, with its five-story high glass canopy, is also a significant architectural feature.
• Staff: Many guests highlight the staff's friendliness, professionalism, and attentive service. Specific individuals like Ms. Aizade in the breakfast area have been commended for exceptional hospitality.
• Amenities: The hotel offers a fitness center, 24-hour room service, and often provides thoughtful touches like welcome macarons and nightly turndown service.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The College Green Hotel are generally described as spacious, elegant, and luxurious, pairing contemporary design with elements evoking the building's heritage. They come equipped with comfortable beds, pillow-top mattresses, premium bedding, 49-inch HD TVs, deluxe toiletries, bathrobes, and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms offer city views, overlook the glass atrium, or include balconies. The soundproofing is particularly effective, providing a quiet retreat despite the bustling city center location. However, some guests have reported issues with uncomfortable beds and noted small details like visible stains on furniture that can detract from the premium feel. A broader pillow selection has also been suggested.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers several dining options:

• Morelands Grill: This contemporary grill restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner, with guests praising its modern Irish cuisine, including steak options from a Josper Grill.
• The Atrium Lounge: Renowned for its prestigious Afternoon Tea, this magnificent five-story high glass atrium also serves lunch, cocktails, and light bites.
• The Mint Bar: Formerly a bank vault, The Mint Bar offers a unique setting for beverages, a matching food menu, and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. While some find the food and service good, one guest described it as having a "pub look but no atmosphere".
• Breakfast: Breakfasts are often described as excellent and outstanding, with a comprehensive buffet. However, there have been occasional complaints about slow service for à la carte breakfast orders.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many praising the friendly, professional, and helpful nature of the team. Guests have noted instances of staff going "above and beyond" with thoughtful touches like welcome macarons and nightly turndown service. Specific staff members, such as Ms. Aizade in the breakfast area, have been highlighted for their exceptional service. However, some reviews mention inconsistencies in service, such as issues with housekeeping timeliness or incorrect information provided by staff.

6. Location & Accessibility

The College Green Hotel boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" central location in Dublin. It is situated directly opposite Trinity College, placing guests at the "beating heart of the city". Key attractions within easy walking distance include Temple Bar (a 5-minute walk), Grafton Street, the National Museum, and various shopping and entertainment venues. Public transport, including the Luas tramline, is also easily accessible. The hotel offers valet parking, which costs EUR 35.00 per day.

7. Value & Pricing

Value for money receives a somewhat mixed response, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Marriott.com. While some guests feel it offers a five-star experience that surpasses expectations, others believe it is overpriced or does not fully meet the expectations set by its star rating for the cost. Typical nightly rates have been observed to range from approximately $261 to $470, with an average of $470 per night.

8. Common Complaints

While overall satisfaction is high, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Service Inconsistencies: Some guests reported inconsistencies in service, such as delays with breakfast orders, issues with turn-down service (sometimes stated to be only for Marriott Platinum members), or unaddressed room servicing requests.
• Room Issues: Complaints included uncomfortable beds and minor cleanliness details like visible stains, which guests felt detracted from the luxury experience.
• Value Perception: A segment of guests felt the hotel was overpriced given the occasional service lapses or minor room issues, suggesting it didn't always deliver on its five-star promise for the price paid.
• Lack of Facilities: Some guests expressed a desire for more wellness facilities.
• Specific Dining Experiences: While generally positive, some specific experiences, like the atmosphere of the Mint Bar, received less favorable comments.

Sources

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