MICHAEL PARSONSvisits Bewley's Hotel, Dublin Airport
AIRPORT HOTELS tend to be pretty similar: bland, soulless buildings decorated in peaceful, neutral tones. The sorts of places where you really don't want to spend any more time than absolutely necessary. Which effectively means one night.
They cater to two discrete markets: air travellers with early-morning departures or late night arrivals, and businessmen who use them for meetings - particularly those who fly in and out on the same day and want to avoid commuting into city centres.
The hotels are ideal for anyone who wants to avoid the stress of travelling to the airport during the morning rush hour and a godsend for people living down the country who need to take an early-morning flight. They can also be a lifesaver if you arrive at the airport at night, too late for onward train or bus connections or too tired for a long car journey.
For air travellers the hotels need to have comfortable beds, as much peace and quiet as is feasible beneath a flight path, ample parking and reasonable rates, so as not to add even more to the cost of a trip.
Bewley's Hotel Dublin Airport has perfected the formula and offers a good-value, world-class establishment of this type that is run with Swiss-like efficiency. The multinational, multilingual staff are courteous, polite and helpful.
All rooms are the same price every night (currently €99). Spacious underground car parks are well laid out, properly signposted and safely lit. Luggage trolleys are supplied. A free shuttle bus to and from the airport operates at 20-minute intervals; the journey takes 10 or 15 minutes.
The 466 bedrooms are comfortable, soundproof and large enough for even two "non-intimate" adults to share (it's just for one night, and you can spend the savings on the sangria or ouzo).
In family rooms (the same price), up to three children under the age of 16 can stay in a room with parents. Families with older children can request interconnecting rooms (use the "comments" box on the online booking form). Babysitting can be arranged, but the hotel requires 48 hours' notice.
If you want fluffy white bathrobes, expensive toiletries or a mini-bar, look elsewhere. But the rooms have a kettle and free (Bewley's) tea and coffee, an ironing board and trouser press, TV, safe and free wireless internet access.
Soap and shampoo are supplied via dispensers. There is no waste. If you really do need a shower cap or sewing kit, then ask at reception. Bottled water and soft drinks are available from vending machines. The beds are comfortable and dressed with goose-feather duvets, which are treated to make them hypoallergenic. But asthmatic guests can request polyester duvets.
On the ground floor the huge residents' lounge is effectively a glorified departures hall, but it is a comfortable place to while away a few hours. It's got oodles of space, and the leather seats are comfortable. Although it can get very busy, it never seems to be unpleasantly crowded, and it is possible to eat, work or watch television on large screens (the inevitable, dreary Sky News - unless there's a big televised sports event).
Food from the bar includes hot and cold meals, soups and sandwiches. The pastry, biscuit and cake selection is disappointing. And why do so many Irish hotels and cafes have such difficulty serving decent croissants?
More appetising fare is available in the Brasserie restaurant, where a two-course dinner menu with tea and coffee was available for €23 (three courses for €27). A jug of water and fresh crusty rolls were brought to the table unbidden. The service was quick and the food was fresh, of good quality, properly cooked and nicely presented. Dinner is served from 6pm until 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 6pm until 9.30pm on Sunday. There is a children's menu.
Breakfast at the Brasserie (if you have time) is €12 and better than the grim alternative of eating at the airport.
If you're in a hurry, there's an express check-out service, and do pick up a courtesy apple from the bowl at reception. It will make a pleasant alternative to the horror of a congealed mid-air full Irish.
Where:Bewley's Hotel Dublin Airport, Baskin Lane, Swords, Co Dublin (off the M1-M50 junction), 01-8711000, www.bewleys hotels.com.
What:Modern, comfortable, clean, safe, stress-free and efficient three-star, good-value 466-room hotel with free shuttle bus to and from air terminal.
Best rates:Every room in the hotel costs €99. Breakfast is not included. Meetings rooms for hire from €150 to €200.
Bars and restaurants: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served at the Brasserie. Light meals and snacks available in the hotel's lounge.
Access:Twenty-four of the rooms are accessible by wheelchair.
Parking:€8 per day, available to residents and non-residents alike.
Child friendliness:The hotel has no play area, but a children's menu is available, and under-16s can stay for free in their parents' room.