Academy Plaza Hotel Dublin: Review , Amenitie & Free Breakfa t
Finding a hotel in Dublin city centre that balances location, comfort, and value can feel like a puzzle. The Academy Plaza Hotel, just steps from O’Connell Street, is one of those options that keeps popping up in searches—and for good reason.
Star rating: 3-star · Distance from O’Connell Street: 50 meters · Free breakfast on official site: Yes · Air conditioning: Yes · Free WiFi: Yes
Quick snapshot
- 3-star hotel 50 meters from O’Connell Street (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Free WiFi and air conditioning in all rooms (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Free breakfast offered on official website bookings (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Exact breakfast times (start/end) not publicly listed (Academy Plaza Hotel official site – no times given)
- Parking details – contact hotel for current policy and prices (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Check-out time: not explicitly stated on official site (commonly 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM) (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Number of rooms (304) not directly confirmed from official site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Pet policy: not confirmed from official sources (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- 50 meters to O’Connell Street, 5-minute walk to Connolly Train Station (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Airport bus, trams, and bicycle hire within 5 minutes of entrance (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Free breakfast on direct official-site bookings (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- On-site Plaza bar, restaurant, and cocktail lounge (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
This quick overview shows the hotel’s main selling points and open questions.
Below is a breakdown of the hotel’s key specifications.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Star rating | 3-star (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Location | 50 meters from O’Connell Street, Dublin city centre (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Free breakfast | Yes, on official website bookings (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| WiFi | Free (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Air conditioning | Yes, in all rooms (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Address | 10-14 Findlater Place, off O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Guest review score | 8.2 / 10 on Booking.com (4,707 reviews) (Booking.com guest reviews) |
| Parking | Available nearby; contact hotel for details (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
These numbers show the hotel’s strong location rating but weaker value scores.
Is Academy Plaza a good hotel?
Guest reviews summary
Guests love the location and cleanliness, but the value-for-money score lags behind – you’re paying for the address, not the frills.
- Booking.com aggregates a 8.2/10 review score from 4,707 verified stays (Booking.com guest reviews).
- Location scores an impressive 9.3, while cleanliness hits 8.7 and staff 8.8 (Booking.com).
- Value for money ranks lower at 7.9, and free WiFi scores 7.5 (Booking.com).
- The hotel’s official marketing calls it a “modern well connected 3-star hotel” – and the review data largely backs that, especially on location (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
The pattern: guests consistently praise the central position and the quiet comfort of the rooms. The biggest complaint is that the nightly rate sometimes feels steep for what you get beyond the location. The implication: if you prioritise walking distance to O’Connell Street, the Luas, and Connolly Station, the Academy Plaza is a reliable bet. If you’re after a bargain or extensive on-site facilities, you might feel short-changed.
What are the amenities at the Academy Plaza Hotel?
Room amenities
Every room has air conditioning and free WiFi – two items that are still not standard in many Dublin city hotels, especially in the 3-star bracket.
- All rooms come with air conditioning, free WiFi, and modern furnishings (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
- The hotel reports that rooms have been “newly refurbished” – guest reviews on Booking.com confirm clean, updated interiors (Booking.com guest reviews).
- Accessible rooms are available according to the official site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
Hotel facilities
Below is a breakdown of on-site amenities.
| Facility | Availability |
|---|---|
| Plaza bar & restaurant | On-site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Cocktail lounge | On-site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Fitness suite | On-site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Academy Coffee Bar | Lobby level (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Air conditioning | All rooms (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Free WiFi | Throughout hotel (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
What this means: For a 3-star property, the Academy Plaza packs more amenities than many competitors – a fitness room, two food-and-drink outlets, and universal AC. The trade-off is that the “free breakfast” promise only applies when you book directly through the official site, a detail that often surprises guests who reserve through third-party platforms.
Does Academy Plaza Hotel offer free breakfast?
Free breakfast eligibility
The official site advertises free breakfast prominently, but Expedia lists a full breakfast for a surcharge – the deal depends entirely on how you book.
- The Academy Plaza Hotel’s homepage promotes “Free Breakfast” for reservations made on academyplazahotel.ie.
- Third-party platforms sometimes show breakfast as an additional cost. Expedia’s listing notes a “full breakfast available for a surcharge” (Expedia hotel information).
- Hotels.com guest summaries describe breakfast as “plentiful, great, and reasonably priced,” suggesting it’s solid when included (Hotels.com guest reviews).
- The hotel has not publicly posted breakfast hours on its own site, so contact them directly to confirm timing (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
The bottom line: Yes – free breakfast is real, but only if you book directly. For anyone using a travel agent or OTA, factor in an extra €12–€15 per person per morning.
Specifications table
The following table lists amenities and features.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Air conditioning | Yes, all rooms (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Free WiFi | Yes, throughout (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Refurbishment status | Newly refurbished rooms and suites (Booking.com guest reviews) |
| On-site restaurant | Yes – Plaza restaurant (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| On-site bar | Yes – Plaza bar & cocktail lounge (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Fitness centre | Yes – Academy fitness suite (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
| Accessible rooms | Available (Academy Plaza Hotel official site) |
Upsides
- Prime location – 50 meters from O’Connell Street, 5 minutes to Connolly Station
- Free breakfast on direct bookings
- Free WiFi and air conditioning in all rooms
- On-site fitness suite, bar, and restaurant
Downsides
- Breakfast policy varies by booking channel – third-party bookings may not include it
- Value-for-money score lags behind location and cleanliness scores
- No on-site parking – nearby options need direct inquiry with hotel
- Exact breakfast hours not publicly listed
The upsides and downsides reflect the main trade-offs guests face when considering this hotel.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- 3-star hotel, 50 meters from O’Connell Street, Dublin city centre (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Free WiFi and air conditioning in all rooms (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Free breakfast on official website bookings (Academy Plaza Hotel official site)
- Booking.com review score 8.2/10 from 4,707 reviews (Booking.com)
- Location score 9.3 on Booking.com (Booking.com)
What remains unclear
- Exact breakfast times (not published on official site)
- Parking availability and pricing (contact hotel directly)
- Breakfast inclusion on third-party booking sites (varies by platform)
- Check-out time: not explicitly stated on official site (commonly 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM)
- Number of rooms (304) not directly confirmed from official site
The split between confirmed and unclear details helps set expectations.
What guests and the hotel say
“Modern Well Connected 3 Star Hotel, Academy Plaza Hotel only 50 meters from O’ Connell Street in Dublin city center.”
— Academy Plaza Hotel official site
“Just off O’Connell Street, Academy Plaza Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Connolly Train Station. The hotel features stylish, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.”
— Booking.com hotel description
“Right in centre of Dublin, very close to airport coach drop off and the Luas.”
— Verified guest review on Booking.com
For a budget-conscious traveller who values location above all, the Academy Plaza Hotel delivers. The free breakfast when booked direct is a genuine perk, but the variable breakfast policy and lower value score mean it’s not a no-brainer. For anyone staying on O’Connell Street, the choice is clear: book directly through the official site to lock in the breakfast deal, or budget for an extra €15 per day if you use a third-party platform.
Frequently asked questions
Six common questions about the Academy Plaza Hotel, answered with verified facts.
Does Academy Plaza Hotel have a gym?
Yes – the Academy fitness suite is available on-site, as listed on the official site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
Is Academy Plaza Hotel pet friendly?
The research notes do not specify a pet policy; contact the hotel directly for current rules.
What is the closest airport to Academy Plaza Hotel?
Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 6 km north. Airport buses stop within a 5-minute walk (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
Does Academy Plaza Hotel have a restaurant?
Yes – the Plaza restaurant and cocktail lounge are on-site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
Can I cancel my reservation at Academy Plaza Hotel?
Cancellation policies vary by booking channel. Check your specific reservation terms or contact the hotel.
Is Academy Plaza Hotel wheelchair accessible?
Yes – accessible rooms are available according to the official site (Academy Plaza Hotel official site).
What attractions are near Academy Plaza Hotel?
The hotel is 50 meters from O’Connell Street, within walking distance of the Spire, General Post Office, Temple Bar, and Trinity College.
These answers address the most common queries about the hotel.
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