Dublin's Hidden Gem: Luxury Hatch Street Apartments Near St. Stephen's Green!
Dublin's Hidden Gem: Hatch Street Apartments - Oh, the Serendipitous Chaos! (A Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because reviewing the Hatch Street Apartments near St. Stephen's Green in Dublin is like trying to wrangle a herd of leprechauns… it’s lively, unpredictable, and full of unexpected joys. I'll try to give you the straight scoop, but be warned, I'm more about the vibe than the sterile listing. Let's get cracking…
First, the Essentials: Accessibility & Safety (and the anxiety that comes with them, naturally):
- Accessibility: This is Dublin, not exactly known for its smooth sidewalks. The apartments do boast "Facilities for disabled guests," which, in practical terms, means you probably won't be stranded. There's also an elevator, which is a godsend, especially with luggage. However, finding precise details on things like ramp grades can be a bit of a scavenger hunt. Prepare to call ahead if you have specific needs.
- Cleanliness & Safety: Right now, in the age of the 'Rona, this is everything. Okay, they're going all-in. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Individually-wrapped food options? Triple check! They’ve got the hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, which is comforting… but also a little overzealous. I mean, do I really need to sanitize my hand after opening a door? (I digress). They even have Room sanitization opt-out available. because some of us can't handle the stress. I'm a germ-sceptic but it's the thought that counts.
- My Anecdote: I really appreciated the Professional-grade sanitizing services, I've got a phobia about that. I was walking in, after a long flight, utterly exhausted. I dropped my bag, ready to collapse, when I spied the little sanitization pamphlet with all the bold phrases…and I felt so relieved. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. (And yes, it was all about the hygiene certification, I wanted a nap, and the sanitization calmed me down.)
- Security: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, 24-hour security, smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, Safe dining setup, Safe and security features. Again, Dublin's a pretty safe city, but it's nice to have the peace of mind.
- My Anecdote: I found the whole thing to be a bit overkill, to be honest. There's a sense of safety, but, if I'm being honest, I sort of missed the feeling that I was going to have my belongings stolen. Okay, I'm kidding. But the level of scrutiny made it feel like I was under surveillance all the time.
Rooms & Comfort: Where the Heart (and the Luggage) Resides:
- The Good Stuff: The rooms are… well-appointed. We’re talking Air conditioning (a MUST in a Dublin heatwave – yes, they happen!), Blackout curtains (essential for beating jet lag), Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, and a Coffee/tea maker. They had Bathrobes and Slippers, which, let me tell you, are GOLD after a day of trekking around Dublin. The extra-long bed was a dream. Non-smoking rooms, naturally.
- My Anecdote: I arrived in my room and immediately did a happy dance when I spotted the Complimentary tea and water. I am a woman who loves tea. It's a big, fat life staple for me. It was the perfect start to a trip!
- Little annoyances: I wouldn't have minded a Socket near the bed, for easy phone charging while nursing a sore foot. The decor was a little "corporate chic" – perfectly pleasant, but not exactly bursting with personality. The Window that opens was a welcome touch, but I could've done with a bit more ventilation.
- Other Room Amenities: Alarm clock, Bath, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Desk, Extra long bed, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke detector, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free].
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Fueling Your Dublin Adventures
- The Good: There’s a Bar (always a good start). They also offer Room service [24-hour], which is absolutely crucial for late-night carb cravings (trust me). Breakfast service with Breakfast [buffet], I'm not going to lie - this was alright. I was too eager to get going to taste much. And, of course, Coffee/tea in restaurant. There's also a Coffee shop, this one's an instant plus!!
- The Quirks: The menu claimed to have Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine. Look, I'm here to eat, not to critique the fusion-ness.
- My Anecdote: I was up early, running on adrenaline and a strong desire for a proper Irish fry-up. I was desperate to go, but I got lost in the buffet. I made one trip to the Asian breakfast bar, and I couldn't get back in line. I ended up with a plate that was 50% toast.
- Other Dining Stuff: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Buffet in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa? Pool? Yes, Please!
- The Highlights: They have a Fitness center (because, well, Guinness), Swimming pool [outdoor] (a treat!), Spa/sauna, and even a Pool with view. All the usual suspects for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
- The "Meh": Didn't try the Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, or Steamroom. Frankly, I was too busy hitting the pubs. (Priorities, people!)
- The "Huh?": The Spa/sauna was a bit… generic. I half-expected a disco ball.
- Other Options: Gym/fitness, Sauna.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make Life Easier
- The Winners: Daily housekeeping, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal. The doorman always greeted me with a smile, even when I’d been traipsing around in the rain all day. Elevator cough cough (again). Luggage storage. Taxi service. Airport transfer. Essentially, someone on hand to take care of everything.
- The Misses: There was a Convenience store, which was great. But I didn’t feel the need to be in the Indoor venue for special events or use the Business facilities.
- My Anecdote: The Doorman was an utter gem. Always a pleasant greeting, and helpful with directions (even if my sense of direction is… questionable).
- Other bits and pieces: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Dry cleaning, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
Getting Around: Navigating Dublin's Urban Playground
- Good: Airport transfer (THANK YOU!), Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], and Taxi Service. Dublin is a walkable city, but sometimes you need a break.
- My Anecdote: I had a taxi almost permanently booked. I loved it. The taxi drivers were worth their weight in gold in tips.
- Not so Good: Bicycle parking. Seems redundant given everything else.
For The Kids…
- Things to consider: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. A good spot for child friendly, but I had no kids myself.
- Other options: proposal spot, room decorations, safety/security feature, security.
Overall Verdict: Charming, with a dash of chaos
Hatch Street Apartments are a solid choice for a Dublin stay. They'
Hanoi's Hidden Gem: 3BR StarLake Apartment - Unbelievable Comfort!
Alright, here we go. Dublin, Hatch Street Apartments, the whole shebang. This isn't a polished travel itinerary, it's more like… a chaotic diary entry with a vague semblance of a plan. Buckle up, buttercups.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (Or, "Where the Hell is the Grocery Store?")
Morning (ish): Crawled off the plane from… (Let's be honest, the flight's a blur. Turbulence? Existential dread? Possibly both.) Found the Hatch Street Apartments. Gorgeous, right? Nope. Okay, maybe the lobby is gorgeous. The apartment? Well, it smells vaguely of cleaner and… a hint of old socks. Charming.
- Impression: "Wow, minimalist. Like, aggressively minimalist. Where do I even put my chaotic baggage? And am I permanently going to feel like I'm in a very clean, slightly stale museum?"
Afternoon: Unpacked. Found the "welcome pack" with the most pathetic little bottle of milk. Disaster averted! (Kidding. I also have a stash of good coffee). Next mission: grocery store. Google Maps directed me into a maze of backstreets. Eventually emerged, victorious, with enough snacks to feed a small army. Possibly the most vital accomplishment of the day.
Evening: Attempted to watch a documentary about Irish folklore. Fell asleep halfway through. Woke up feeling vaguely haunted. Comforted myself with the aforementioned snacks. Then, wandered aimlessly through St. Stephen's Green. The ducks are judgemental. The air is… fresh and slightly damp (Dublin in a nutshell, right?).
- Anecdote: Saw some lads playing frisbee near the lake. One of them completely whiffed a throw. Epic faceplant. I almost choked on my (now slightly stale) biscuit from laughing. Made me feel less like the only clueless tourist.
- Emotion: A wave of sudden, absurd joy. I'm here. In Dublin. And this is… messy, honest, and all mine.
Day 2: The Guinness Pilgrimage & The Great Pub Debate
Morning: Dragged myself out of bed. The jet lag is hitting hard. Coffee. More coffee. Contemplated life choices.
Afternoon: Guinness Storehouse. Okay, the architecture is impressive. The sheer volume of tourists, not so much. Spent an hour in line, inching closer to… the holy grail of a pint. The actual pint? Divine. Absolutely worth the wait.
- Observation: The pouring process is an art form. I'm pretty sure I could screw it up royally if I tried, based on the way the barman, with an Irish accent, looks at me and anyone who looked like me who pours their own pint.
- Emotion: The beer's good, and this tourist trap, is… okay. I guess the view of the city from the Gravity Bar is actually pretty spectacular.
Evening: Pub crawl. Went to three different pubs. The first: The Brazen Head. Cosy. Chaotic. The music was incredible. The second: O'Donoghue's. Felt like stepping back in time (in a good way). The third: …the other pub. Forget the name. Too many pints. Too many conversations.
- Rambling: The great pub debate: Which is best? Impossible to say. It depends on your mood. Your company. The sheer bloody vibe of the moment. Every pub has its own soul. Some are loud, some are quiet, many are full of opinions.
- Imperfections: Woke up the next morning – with a foggy memory, a vague headache, and a desperate craving for greasy food and coffee.
Day 3: Museums & A Moment of (Reluctant) Culture
Morning: Forced myself to eat a sad breakfast. "Dublin," by the way, seems to have a problem with decent breakfasts at the cafes near Hatch Street. The pain is very real, and I am not used to having such a struggle.
Afternoon: Trinity College. Saw the Book of Kells. Pretty. Very, very old (and I'm very, very tired of standing). Then, wandered aimlessly through the campus. (Again, with the aimless wandering).
- Quirky Observation: The library is a stunning, slightly intimidating, place. It's like walking into a cathedral of books. Made me feel profoundly under-read and slightly in awe. (I’m a liar, mostly just intimidated.)
Evening: Fell in love with the National Gallery. The art was beautiful!! Especially the Caravaggio painting. Totally worth the hour I spent staring at it. (I'm not an art person, but I felt something.)
- Emotional Reaction: A small, unexpected burst of genuine happiness. I'm learning something. I'm feeling something. This whole travel thing… it's starting to get to me.
Day 4: The Phoenix Park Escape & The Quest for the Perfect Scone
Morning: Phoenix Park. Huge. Green. Deer. Took a long, rambling walk. Saw some deer. Petting a deer is apparently not a thing. Got lost. Eventually found my way back.
- Rambling: The park is an escape. A huge, green lung in the middle of the city. The deer are surprisingly unafraid. I felt a little bit of peace, which is a rarity.
Afternoon: Scone-tasting competition. (Basically, I went to three different cafes and ate scones). They all had something to recommend. And I may have eaten too many.
- Double Down: The perfect scone? Still searching. But the quest itself is rewarding. And it’s got me hooked. It's the texture, the crumb, the perfect dollop of Irish butter and the jam. It's the ritual. It's… scone perfection is a moving target, but Dublin does make me the pursuit worth it.
Evening: Walked past Hatch Street. Back to the apartment. More snacks. Watched a terribly acted but hilarious rom-com on telly.
Emotion: I’ve developed a grudging respect for this city. I'm starting to get into its rhythm. I feel a little less like a total fish out of water, and a little more like I'm… belonging.
Day 5: Departure & Post-Dublin Blues (Or: "I Need a Guinness, Stat.")
Morning: Packed. The apartment feels smaller now, oddly. One last (hasty) trip to the tiny grocery store.
Afternoon: Airport. Flight. Goodbye, Dublin.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: Damn. I'm actually sad to leave.
- Rambling: Did I see everything? Nope. Did I eat all the scones? Definitely not. Did I have a perfect trip? Absolutely not. It felt… messy, imperfect, occasionally frustrating, and completely wonderful.
Evening: Back home. The world feels… flat.
Impression: The quiet is deafening. I miss the sounds of Dublin. The people, the accents, the chaos. And, yes, I miss the Guinness (even the slightly disappointing pints).
Anecdote: Already planning my return. And booking my apartment for next time. So, I'll be back. I'll bring more snacks, more sensible shoes, and a burning desire to find that perfect scone. And maybe I'll learn to pour a Guinness without looking like a total idiot. Maybe.
Dublin's Hidden Gem: Hatch Street Apartments FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, You're Curious)
So, like, are these Hatch Street Apartments ACTUALLY luxurious? Or just, you know, "Dublin luxurious?" (Meaning "slightly better than a hostel")
Okay, real talk. "Luxury" in Dublin comes with a sliding scale, alright? I went in expecting… well, I’ve seen some *stuff*. Let’s just say I wasn't holding my breath for solid gold faucets. But, I was genuinely surprised. The Hatch Street Apartments? Yeah, they're pretty darn nice. Like, "actually-want-to-spend-time-in-the-apartment" nice. Think plush sofas, a decent kitchen (if you’re into that whole cooking thing, which, let's face it, I am not), and a shower that doesn't try to murder you with fluctuating water pressure. It's *definitely* a step up from the usual cramped, barely-furnished rentals I've seen in this city. Think… a nicer version of a boutique hotel, without the constant staff hovering.
Anecdote alert: I actually *tried* to host a pre-drinks situation there. Which, in Dublin, is the ultimate test of a place. And you know what? It passed. The layout was actually conducive to mingling, the wine glasses didn't look like they were liberated from a primary school, and the only problem was my friends hogging the comfy sofas. A win, I say!
St. Stephen's Green is *right* there? Does that mean I'll be serenaded by buskers at 3 AM?
Look, proximity to St. Stephen's Green is a massive selling point – it’s gorgeous, right? But, let's be honest, a park in a city center comes with... *certain* perks. Namely, the potential for late-night noise pollution.
My experience: Okay, so I'm a light sleeper to begin with. I anticipated the worst. Initially, I was a little worried about the potential for late-night chanting or drunken sing-alongs. But honestly? No. It’s surprisingly quiet. The building seems well-insulated. I actually slept through a torrential downpour one night. Which, in Dublin, is borderline miraculous. I will say, though, if you're *super* sensitive to noise, maybe bring earplugs. Just to be safe. Better prepared than caught off guard! There's always some ambient city hum, but nothing that stopped me from getting a good night's sleep.
What's the deal with the kitchen? Is it actually equipped for, like, more than making toast? (Because, let's be honest, my cooking skills are… questionable).
The kitchens are decent! Now, I'm not pretending to be a culinary genius here. I microwave more than I cook (judge me, I dare you!). But the Hatch Street kitchens? They felt *usable*. You've got a hob, an oven, a fridge… all the essentials. And, crucially, they *weren't* falling apart.
Actually, it was *almost* an inspiration. I say *almost* because I tried to make pasta one night, and let’s just say the kitchen got a little... floury. I'm not great at the whole cooking thing. But hey, the facilities didn't let me down, it was just *my* skills!
How's the location, *really*? Is it actually central, or "Dublin central," which means a 20-minute walk from everything?
Okay, the location is *fantastic*. Literally. Hatch Street is smack-dab in the middle of everything you want. St. Stephen's Green is, as advertised, right there. Shopping on Grafton Street? Five minutes. Temple Bar (if you're into that sort of thing)? Ten minutes, tops. Getting around Dublin is generally easy, but from Hatch Street, you can walk to almost everything. You can practically roll out of bed and be at the Guinness Storehouse (okay, maybe a bit of a fast walk), which, let's face it, is a major win.
The down side? The inevitable downsides. Because it's so central, you're paying a premium. And, like with all city center locations, traffic can be a bit of a nightmare during rush hour. But for me, the convenience of being able to walk everywhere trumped those downsides, especially when weighed against the alternative (a long commute in Dublin traffic is a fate worse than death).
Is there parking? Because Dublin parking is notoriously brutal.
This one is tricky. I *think* some of the apartments have parking, but you're going to want to *check* with the management beforehand. Don't just *assume*, or you'll be spending your time circling the block endlessly, cursing the Dublin gods of parking. And believe me, they are unforgiving. If parking is essential for you, sort it out *before* you arrive. This goes for anywhere in Dublin, really. Pay for the parking, or get ready for a headache.
I'll admit, I got around on foot.
What's the vibe? Is it full of tourists? Locals? A mix?
It's a mix, I’d say. You'll definitely find a few tourists, especially those looking for a more upscale experience. But I also saw a number of business travelers and people here for extended stays. So, it's not like you're trapped in a tourist bubble. The great thing about Dublin is that it's a walkable city - all the locals are buzzing around. It allows for a more authentic experience and a fantastic way to blend in and experience local life. I liked the mixture because it means you have the best of both worlds.
Are there any downsides? Be brutally honest!
Okay, okay, here's the unvarnished truth. Yes, there are downsides. Firstly, it's expensive. This isn't budget accommodation. Secondly, (and this is a Dublin problem, not just Hatch Street), some of the buildings can be a bit... *close*. You *might* hear your neighbors. It's a city, after all. Finally, Dublin weather. It's Ireland, so, while *I* personally saw a lot of sun, it can rain at any moment.
Also, and I'm being *really* nit-picky here, the lack of a proper reception area can feel a bit… impersonal. It's more like a self-check-in situation. I prefer a proper staff who are happy to help. But really, these are minor gripes.
Would you stay there again?
