Anyone ever use Lastminute.ie 'Top Secret Hotels'

ciaramc

Anyone ever use booked a top secret hotel on lastminute.ie for Dublin City Centre?

Care to reveal what hotel in what city you ended up in?

As I was going to book one of the hotels below but wasnt sure which hotels they were as I would like to stay in a hotel in the city centre and not having to get a taxi in and out to the city centre. Can anyone help me solve which hotels are lastminute.com referring to below to help me decide? As the hotels seem good value but dont want to stuck out of town. Thanks a million:)

I cant figure out which hotel the following is:
Trendy hotel in Dublin - 4* - Dublin
If you want to escape from the routine, this is the ideal place to stay. The interiors of this modern hotel provide a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Enjoy the simple luxury of the rooms as well as of the bar.
Hotel name and address: This information will be provided on your confirmation e-mail
Business facilities
• Fax
• Photocopying
Children facilities
• Babysitting
Hotel facilities
• Room Service
• Dry cleaning
• Laundry
• Parking*

*May incur an additional cost
Room facilities
• CD library
• Complimentary toiletries
• En-Suite Bathroom
• Tea/coffee facilities
• Telephone
• Voicemail
• Modem Access
• Hairdryer
• Mini-bar
• Pay TV
• Safe free of charge
Bar
• Bar: Serving coctails and snacks
Children policy
• Children welcome
Cancellation policy
• Cancellation charge is 100%
Pets policy
• Pets not permitted
Check-in time: 14:00 Check-out time: 12:00
Local Attractions
• National Gallery
• James Joyce Museum
• Dublin Writers Museum
• Temple Bar
Location
• Nearest airport: Dublin
• Nearest train station: Tara Street Station
Credit cards accepted by hotel
• American Express
• Diners Club International
• Mastercard
• Visa


And this one.....
Stay in one of the finest hotels in Dublin - 5* - Dublin
Stay in one of the finest hotels in Dublin - 5* - Dublin
This historic property enjoys a beautiful location in a prestigious district and offers superb accommodation. The luxurious and classically decorated guest rooms, free parking, the fitness room and the Italian restaurant offering lavish dishes guarantee an unforgettable stay in Dublin.
Hotel name and address: This information will be provided on your confirmation e-mail
Business facilities
• Business Centre
• Fax
• Meeting Rooms
• PC for Guests
• Photocopying
Disabled facilities
• Accessible Rooms
Hotel facilities
• Room Service
• Air Conditioning
• Concierge
• Free newspaper
• Gardens
• Laundry
• Night Porter
• Parking
• Safety Deposit Boxes
Leisure facilities
• Fitness Center
• Gym
• Massage
• Snooker
• Solarium
Room facilities
• Room Service
• Air Conditioning
• Alarm clock
• Cable television
• Climate Control
• Complimentary toiletries
• Connecting Rooms
• Daily housekeeping
• En-Suite Bathroom
• Free Internet access
• free parking
• Tea/coffee facilities
• Telephone
• Television
• Trouser Press
• Voicemail
• Wake-up calls
• High speed internet connection
• Work desk with lamp
• Modem Access
• Hairdryer
• Mini-bar
• Pay TV
• Iron & ironing board
• Safe free of charge
• Plasma TV screen
• Private bathroom with bath/shower
• Heating
• Kettle
Restaurant
• Italian restaurant: Enjoy Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.
Children policy
• Children welcome
Cancellation policy
• Cancellation charge is 100%
Pets policy
• Pets not permitted
Check-in time: 14:00 Check-out time: 12:00
Local Attractions
• Jameson Distillery
• Dun Laoghaire
• Temple Bar
• Leopardstown Horse Racing
• Guinness Storehouse
Location
• Nearest airport: Dublin
• Nearest train station: 1km
• Nearest bus station: 200m
• Nearest other: Dublin Airport
Credit cards accepted by hotel
• American Express
• Diners Club International
• Laser
• Maestro
• Mastercard
• Visa
• Visa Electron

bobbbb

Double post

bobbbb

hmmmm. Did this before for the craic with a hotel in Barcelona. "4* centrally located in Barcelona".

The hotel was about 5 miles outside Barcelona. Nice hotel, Probably got the worst room in it and it took a taxi ride every night into Barcelona and back at a cost of around €50 a night.

There is a reason they dont tell you what the hotel is - Because you probably wouldnt book it if you knew it.

For your 5* hotel - How many 5* hotels are there
• Nearest train station: 1km - Not Connolly
• Nearest bus station: 200m - Busaras

oppiuy

Good thread, ive always wondered about those.

Have to say i got a good deal with lastminute for belfast for the easter weekend.

E217 for the room for 3 nights in the Radisson 4*. I just had to book it

ciaramc

And this one.....

Modern hotel with traditional welcome in Dublin - 3* - Dublin
Stay at this contemporary hotel and enjoy its ideal location in Dublin. Guests can reach the city centre and all main sights on foot. All guestrooms offer comfort and well-being and provide modern amenities.
Hotel name and address: This information will be provided on your confirmation e-mail
Children facilities
 Babysitting
Disabled facilities
 Accessible Rooms
Hotel facilities
 Room Service(r)
 Laundry
 Night Porter
 Parking
 Safety Deposit Boxes

(r)This facility is room dependent
Room facilities
 Cable television(r)
 City Map
 Complimentary toiletries(r)
 Double-glazed windows(r)
 Duvets(r)
 En-Suite Bathroom(r)
 free parking(r)
 Tea/coffee facilities(r)
 Telephone(r)
 Television(r)
 Video messages
 Voicemail(r)
 Wake-up calls(r)
 High speed internet connection *
 Work Desk
 Work desk with lamp (r)
 Hairdryer(r)
 Pay TV(r)
 Make-up mirror(r)
 Pay-per-view movies*
 Iron & ironing board (r)
 Safe free of charge(r)
 Private bathroom with bathtub(r)
 Private bathroom with bath/shower
 Heating(r)
 Hairdryer (on request)
 internet on TV*

*May incur an additional cost
(r)This facility is room dependent
Restaurant
 Restaurant and bar: The hotel has a restaurant and 2 bars.
Children policy
 Children welcome
Cancellation policy
 Cancellation charge is 100%
Pets policy
 Guide dogs permitted only
Check-in time: 14:00 Check-out time: 12:00
Local Attractions
 National Gallery
 Point Depot
 Croke Park
 Merrion Square
 Lansdowne Road Stadium
 RDS
 Temple Bar
 Trinity College
 Grafton Street
Location
 Nearest airport: Dublin
 Nearest train station: 50m
 Nearest metro: 50m
 Nearest bus station: 50m
Credit cards accepted by hotel
 American Express
 Diners Club International
 Mastercard
 Visa

scout353

I think the best way to decide is via the star rating - five star hotels are rare in Dublin (shelbourne, Westbury, radisson ) but go to three star and you could be in the suburbs (and that could be Trim!!!!)

zAbbo

bobbbb wrote: »

There is a reason they dont tell you what the hotel is - Because you probably wouldnt book it if you knew it.

I work for lastminute.com.

The reason the hotel is unnamed is because they are exclusive discounts with an additional 45% off - so we can't disclose the name until you've made the booking.

In general these are top notch 4* & 5*, as as mentioned if you're looking for a city centre one - then keep an eye on the description for 'city centre'

Hope that helps

6ix

Got a great deal for a London hotel a few months ago. Figured it out because in the 'nearby amenities' section of the description, (or whatever it's called), the said a certain restaurant was "10 metres" from the secret hotel. Googled the restaurant, then once I had an address I found the hotel easily.

Sometimes you may not figure it out, but there's a fair chance you'll find something out if you do a bit of detective work.

ciaramc

Thanks for all your replies

Think I might go with the four star.

Wonder would the 5* be the Four Seasons? I would love that

This historic property enjoys a beautiful location in a prestigious district and offers superb accommodation. The luxurious and classically decorated guest rooms, free parking, the fitness room and the Italian restaurant offering lavish dishes guarantee an unforgettable stay in Dublin.

RATM

zAbbo wrote: »

I work for lastminute.com.

The reason the hotel is unnamed is because they are exclusive discounts with an additional 45% off - so we can't disclose the name until you've made the booking.

In general these are top notch 4* & 5*, as as mentioned if you're looking for a city centre one - then keep an eye on the description for 'city centre'

Hope that helps

I know one of the 'Top Secret' hotels that Last Minute uses is the North Star Hotel on Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Having stayed there I'd wouldn't tend to call it 'top notch' anything, in fact I'd say it's a kip. Caveat Emptor.

She Devil

Hey OP id nearly put money on you the 4* is trinity capital hotel ...

http://www.trinitycapital-hotel.com/

ciaramc

I think the 5* in probably The Radisson SAS St.Helen's as its location is in a prestigious district and it has a the Italian restaurant.

This magnificent hotel is located on its own grounds in a peaceful location about 5 km south of the city centre in the exclusive Booterstown area. If you're looking for a little piece of heaven away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre then this is for you.The hotel is housed in one of the most important historic houses in Ireland. It features 151 opulent guestrooms, an Italian restaurant and two watering holes namely Orangerie Bar and Le Panto. Guests can also avail of an excellent concierge service, a beauty salon, a fitness centre, 4 acres of beautiful gardens and complimentary car parking.

I think the three star is the Trinity Capital Hotel.

Not sure what the 4* one is yet.

ciaramc

She Devil wrote: »

Hey OP id nearly put money on you the 4* is trinity capital hotel ...

http://www.trinitycapital-hotel.com/

snap I was thinking that too. Some sites say thats a four * others say its a 3*.

Ponster

If you use priceline.com for the same search you'll probably be able to figure out which hotel you're being offered based on research on www.betterbidding.com.

Berty

I know a few people who have booked Dublins secret hotels and it always ended up as the D4 hotels. They do not know at the time which hotel the D4 will give them so they dont tell you until they get told so you could be in the Towers, Court, Inn.

Personally I would never book anything unless I knew in advance what I was getting.

Ponster

Berty wrote: »

Personally I would never book anything unless I knew in advance what I was getting.

I used to think that until I worked out how best to use these 'auction' sites.
I got a €50 4-star in London (Mayfair) on Feb 14th that was listed as €350 on the hotels website.

There is a 5* Dublin city-centre hotel on offer for €92 which I've confirmed elsewhere as being the Shelbourne. Not a bad deal.

ciaramc

Booked the four* on lastminute.ie, did research thought it was going to be the Temple bar hotel but was delighted to find out it was The Morgan Hotel. :D

It was the first time I used Top Secret Hotels, I will definitely be using lastminute.ie again.

Thanks for all your replies.

TheBazman

I used it before in London and was very satisfied - you can generally cross reference the photos on lastminute with photos on other review sites to find out the hotel

Gazza22

TheBazman wrote: »

I used it before in London and was very satisfied - you can generally cross reference the photos on lastminute with photos on other review sites to find out the hotel

They never show photos. That would be kinda defeating the point of a 'Top Secret Hotel' if they showed pictures. They just offer a description of the hotel and area which sometimes narrows it down to a particular hotel or two.

ciaramc

Got the morgan for €85 through lastminute instead of booking directly from the site for €190. So happy with that. More than 50% discount.

Lumbarda

zAbbo wrote: »

I work for lastminute.com.

In general these are top notch 4* & 5*, as as mentioned if you're looking for a city centre one - then keep an eye on the description for 'city centre'

QUOTE]

But the description isn't always true - I booked a 4* Top Secret Hotel in Madrid today which was described as "Centrally located in front of Atocha Station". Turns out that it is 10 minutes walk BEHIND Atocha Station, regardless of the price I wouldn't have booked it if I had known that as I've been to Madrid before and know that it is not a safe area. Even if it had said "beside" or "close to" Atocha I wouldn't have booked it as I would have guessed that it was the wrong side of the station but I trusted the small amount of information I was given to at least be accurate - BIG mistake.

I emailed Lastminute and got no reply so just rang them to be told that it's "only" 10 minutes walk down the side of Atocha - great customer service!! :mad:

I travel frequently throughout the year and all I can say is that I will NOT use Lastminute.com again and will advise friends and colleagues to avoid them too. From my experience, the old adage holds true "if it seems too good to be true....!"

kindalen

ring back and tell them to cancel booking. it is not what you were told. be firm.

good luck.

netwhizkid

I had a lastminute.com disaster before once, the hotel was absolutely a disgrace and like Lumbarda's case in a dodgy neighbourhood. I left about 20mins after arriving and had to pick a different hotel in the city I was staying. However I did get my money refunded at least.

dts1

Anyone know what hotel the "Luxurious hotel in the heart of Dublin - 5* - Dublin" is as outlined in the Top Secret section of lastminute.com ??

Phibsboro

I've used secret hotels before, but each time i've known what the hotel was in advance

When they first started doing it, you could just search for the code embedded in the url and this would usually throw up the real hotel name. This doesn't seem to work so well any more but other techniques will usually work. Searching some of the unique bits of the description might work (although again LM seem to be re-writing them these days). Finally the list of facilities is usually copied from the standard listing and that might yield a result.

For example the first hotel you list is the Morgan. See this cached listing for the real hotel and notice the facilities listing is the same :-

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:P9STutf_etYJ:www.lastminute.ie/hotels/selectCategoryHotel.do%3FCATID%3D108843%26accommCode%3D212332-0-2-EXT%253A1934%2524v1v%2524%26locale%3Den_GB%26tabSelection%3DhotelDetails%26CATID%3D108843%26preserveName-startIndex%3D0+dublin+CD+library+%E2%80%A2+Complimentary+toiletries+%E2%80%A2+En-Suite+Bathroom+%E2%80%A2+Tea/coffee+facilities&cd=11&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ie

For the 5*, the combination of massage, snooker etc looks pretty unique so this search shows it is in fact the Radisson out on the stillorgan road - a tad out of town but a fab hotel I'd imagine, judging by the outside anyways

http://www.google.ie/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Fitness+Center+%E2%80%A2+Gym+%E2%80%A2+Massage+%E2%80%A2+Snooker+%E2%80%A2+Solarium+dublin&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=Fitness+Center+%E2%80%A2+Gym+%E2%80%A2+Massage+%E2%80%A2+Snooker+%E2%80%A2+Solarium+dublin&gs_rfai=&fp=eea97f2b306802c2

http://www.lastminute.ie/hotels/selectCategoryHotel.do?CATID=111499&accommCode=216447-0-2-EXT%3A1938%24v1v%24&locale=en_GB&tabSelection=hotelDetails&CATID=111499&preserveName-startIndex=0

Sorry to ruin the "secret" for anyone who actually enjoys not knowing what they are going to get Its also interesting to see whether LM are actually discounting the secret hotels or not

c

cson

Lastminute is gone to ****e in the last year or so imo.

Bleedin Delish

zAbbo wrote: »

I work for lastminute.com.

The reason the hotel is unnamed is because they are exclusive discounts with an additional 45% off - so we can't disclose the name until you've made the booking.


Hope that helps

That doesnt explain why they cant be named!!

Ponster

Bleedin Delish wrote: »

That doesnt explain why they cant be named!!

I guess that if you knew who the hotel was in advance of paying then you'd just contact the hotel directly rather than going through Lastminute.

pink100

Did this in Dublin City Centre...turned out to be the Ashling Hotel opp heuston station..It was fine, Luas just little bit outside door...Hotel is lovely.

ntlbell

Bleedin Delish wrote: »

That doesnt explain why they cant be named!!

A lot of the bigger/better hotels don't like attaching themselves publically to "cheap" "bargain" "discount"

lubie76

Got the Edwardian Sussex Raddisson in the centre of London (just off Oxford street)for £99 with breakfast included back in February. Couldn't have been happier with the deal.

cailinoBAC

I got the Westin for €118. It mentioned it a 5 star hotel a few steps from Trinity, so kind of obvious!

Ponster

A bit of a thread hijack but I just got the Conrad Hotel in Dublin for €100 for 1 night in September via Priceline.com . Normal price on their website is €159

highgiant1985

Hi guys trying to work out which 4 star hotel this is in Dublin city... any one got an ideas who it might be?

This is an ever popular, traditional hotel offering it's guests a luxurious and comfortable place to stay. The hotel combines a distinct charm with modern luxuries and facilities that you would expect from a 4* property. Located right in the heart of Dublin, most of the main attractions are within walking distance of this amazing hotel. To complete the offering, the hotel ensures guests receive excellent hospitality and a friendly welcome.

Local attractions

• Dublin Castle
• Temple Bar
• Trinity College
• Phoenix Park

Hotel facilities

• Room Service
• Air Conditioning
• Concierge
• Laundry
• Limousine Service
• Night Porter
• Safety Deposit Boxes
• Valet parking

Room facilities

• Air Conditioning
• Cable television
• Complimentary toiletries
• En-Suite Bathroom
• Telephone
• Television
• Trouser Press
• Voicemail
• Modem Access
• Hairdryer

I can't imagine there are many hotels with Limousine service but I can't work it out.

Phibsboro

highgiant1985 wrote: »

Hi guys trying to work out which 4 star hotel this is in Dublin city... any one got an ideas who it might be?

This is an ever popular, traditional hotel offering it's guests a luxurious and comfortable place to stay. The hotel combines a distinct charm with modern luxuries and facilities that you would expect from a 4* property. Located right in the heart of Dublin, most of the main attractions are within walking distance of this amazing hotel. To complete the offering, the hotel ensures guests receive excellent hospitality and a friendly welcome.

Local attractions

• Dublin Castle
• Temple Bar
• Trinity College
• Phoenix Park

Hotel facilities

• Room Service
• Air Conditioning
• Concierge
• Laundry
• Limousine Service
• Night Porter
• Safety Deposit Boxes
• Valet parking

Room facilities

• Air Conditioning
• Cable television
• Complimentary toiletries
• En-Suite Bathroom
• Telephone
• Television
• Trouser Press
• Voicemail
• Modem Access
• Hairdryer

I can't imagine there are many hotels with Limousine service but I can't work it out.

Looks like the Gresham...

http://www.lastminute.com/site/find/World/Europe/Ireland/Dublin/LMN-Hotel-210482-0-2-EXT:12987$v1v$.html

wicklowdub

I have only ever used it once, to book a 4* hotel in Florence, when we got to the hotel they had no room for us and we had to change to what was supposed to be another 4* hotel. Sadly it wasn't.