The first major hotel to be built in this area, The Croke Park Hotel contributes much-needed facilities and is very useful for business visitors, and fans attending events at Croke Park stadium just across the road.
The design of this Dublin hotels pleasant and very practical, with extensive public areas including a very large foyer/reception with good seating arrangements and several sections conducive to quiet conversation - and the vast bar has a predictably large screen.
An inner courtyard comes into its own in sunny weather, and a there's a gym for guests' use.
A room card key is required to operate the lift (which can be annoying, but is a useful security measure), and accommodation is well-equipped with everything required by the business traveller; light sleepers should request a quietly-located room as some overlook the railway line, which may be disturbing.
Staff make up in cheerfulness and willingness anything they lack in experience, and food in the hotel's Sideline Bistro is a step above the standard normally expected in hotels.