Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre by IHG

By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.

Yes, it is a solid booking for couples, families and short city breaks that want a central Dublin base well below the city's typical prices. Drivers and anyone who plans to spend evenings at the hotel bar should budget extra, as guests find parking and bar prices high.

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Who it suits and who should skip it

This three-star hotel suits travellers who want to walk to the main sights and get a good breakfast. Family rooms, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a 24-hour front desk are listed. Breakfast to go is also listed, handy for early flights.

Skip it if you are driving and want cheap parking, since guests call parking prices high. The same goes for the bar. A gym, pool or spa are not listed in our data, so look elsewhere if you need them.

Location and getting around

The hotel is at 28-32 O'Connell Street Upper, in the Parnell Square area. Guests rate the location 9.5 out of 10 and mention shops, restaurants and public transport close by, including the airport shuttle.

The Abbey Theatre is about 0.5 km away, roughly 6 minutes on foot. Dublin Castle is 1.1 km, about 14 minutes, and Croke Park is 1.2 km, around 15 minutes. All are easy walks. These times are straight-line estimates, so add a few minutes.

What guests say

The score is 8.8 out of 10 from 5,543 reviews. Two things stand out. The central setting, with transport and the airport shuttle nearby, gets frequent praise. The breakfast buffet does too, with a wide range of hot and cold options.

Value for money gets mixed comments. Room rates are seen as reasonable, but guests feel parking and bar prices are high.

Price and what you get compared with our other two picks

The reference price seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 was €145.50 per night for 2 adults. Against a sample median of €302.50, that is less than half. It is a reference, not a live quote, so check today's price for your dates.

Dublin One, our Budget pick, was €96.75 per night with a score of 8.2. The Fitzwilliam Hotel, our Luxury pick, scored 9.1 at €554. Holiday Inn Express costs about €49 more than the budget pick for a higher score, while the luxury option costs nearly four times as much. In an expensive city, that middle position is strong.

Listed breakfast types are continental, Full English or Irish, vegetarian, buffet and breakfast to go. Whether breakfast is included in your rate is not confirmed.

Why it made our top 3

We compared 19 eligible properties in Dublin. This hotel shared third place on guest score, with a price far below the sample median and thousands of reviews. That mix of score, review volume and price made it our Best Value choice.

Before you book

Room size, noise, renovation condition and cancellation terms have not been assessed. O'Connell Street is a main road, so read recent reviews on noise if you sleep lightly. Check whether breakfast is in your rate. If you drive, ask about parking costs before arrival. Confirm where the airport shuttle stops and how often it runs.

We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.

Questions travellers ask

Our other two picks in Dublin

• Dublin One · Budget · 8.2/10 · €97
• The Fitzwilliam Hotel · Luxury · 9.1/10 · €554
• See all three picks in Dublin →