What a fantastic find. I am so glad I found the Penthouse. It was perfect for my three-week work-and-play stay exploring Dublin and surrounds.
Let's start with location. I took to telling folks I was staying in Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary), though I'm not sure technically what 'burb the penthouse is in. Downtown Dun Laoghaire is a 10-minute bus ride away (the 45A bus that takes you there picks up right in front of the apartments and runs about every 30 minutes).
There is so much to do simply in and around Dun Laoghaire. Frank gave me some great tips and I'm so glad I visited the library (where I worked when I wanted to work outside of the apartment) and Killiney Hill (if you go, make sure to stop by the Druids Chair afterward - they pour a great pint). I also went to Sandycove to see the James Joyce Tower and Museum and Forty Foot, which is a short walk from People's Park in Dun Laoghaire (which is worth a visit in itself). I also really enjoyed my day exploring Dalkey (I recommend The Queens Bar, Dillon's Park, and checking out the programming at Dalkey Castle).
One of the many reasons I was visiting Dublin was for Bloomsday. The proximity of the apartment to the James Joyce Tower and Fitzgeralds of Sandycove made it great for that. It was also really easy to get into the city center via the 7A bus or the Dart. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour either way, depending on where exactly you’re going. I went to the city centre several times--for Bloomsday and on other days to check out the Book of Kells, National Gallery, Museum of Literature, Guinness Storehouse, and other sites. I also spent a day in Howth, which is an easy ride from Dun Laoghaire on the Dart.
Nearby resources I recommend checking out include the hotel right next door to the apartment (I got their Irish breakfast a couple of different times and was very happy with it; they also serve lunch and dinner and have a nice bar); the Circle K across the street, where you can get essentials in a hurry; the SuperValu grocery store at the Killiney Shopping Center about a ten-minute walk away (it was the only place I wanted or needed to grocery shop--I especially loved their Irish cheese section!); the Graduate, the pub/restaurant next door to SuperValu; Dunphys, my favorite pub in Dun Laoghaire (currently drinks only); Penney's near the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Center (where you can find clothing and accessories for affordable prices); and, again, the Lexicon Library. They have a great event space in the basement (where I saw a free theatre performance) and a coffee shop that makes a great cappuccino. The views of the piers (which are also worth visiting and walking) and Howth in the distance are incredible.
As for the apartment, it was perfect for my needs. The guest room is spacious and relaxing with a lovely calm atmosphere. The bed is very comfortable and the desk is one of the best I’ve had in an Airbnb. It was a great place to get work done. The shower was nice and hot with good pressure. Frank and Jackie have thoughtfully outfitted the room with many essentials including a hair dryer, an electric kettle for tea, a drying rack for if/when you do laundry, and a fan that works nicely in tandem with an open window to keep the room fresh and cool.
One of the best features of the apartment is the huge balcony. Frank was nice enough to loan me one of their outdoor table-and-chair sets so I ended up taking many meals and morning teas out there. The view of the Wicklow Mountains is fantastic. The pics I sent home made everyone jealous!
I had no problem using the kitchen when I needed to. It also has just about everything that you need. You're given ample fridge and freezer space for a week or more's worth of groceries and have access to a stove, cooktop, microwave, cupboard for your dry goods, and a drying rack for your dishes.
Frank is friendly, helpful, and easy to talk to. I enjoyed chatting with him and really enjoyed having him as a host. In nearly every case he was able to help when I had a question or request.
My only notable issue during my stay was the tension and awkwardness I experienced with Jackie. She both seemed to be going through something personal that had nothing to do with me and to have decided she didn’t like me and didn’t want to talk to me, based on the shift in her behavior toward me about two days in. This may have been a unique situation and may not affect future guests. In my case it was significant enough to need to mention it for this review to be fully honest but not significant enough to make my time at the Penthouse anything less than fantastic.
This was a total five-star find and a tremendous value for the affordable price Frank and Jackie charge. The only reason I might not recommend it is if you need to be closer than an hour’s bus ride (prob 30-40 minute taxi ride) to the city centre. In any other case, I highly recommend staying here and taking the time to check out the seaside towns nearby as well as Central Dublin. I would easily stay here again!!