Off Topic Thread too point uh

Harvey's Point is often regarded as one of the best hotels in the country. Lived up that direction for a few years but never got around to staying. Nice part of the world tbf.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Sky Mango Tux wrote: »

Harvey's Point is often regarded as one of the best hotels in the country. Lived up that direction for a few years but never got around to staying. Nice part of the world tbf.

It is really a nice spot and the hotel is excellent. My mum's from not too far away so we don't usually need to stay in a hotel up there but we treated ourselves once. It's weird it's only a 4 star hotel though. Anyone know what makes a hotel 5 star? I stayed in a place in Galway a few weeks ago which is 5 star and it was alright but it wasn't a patch on Harvey's Point.

p.s. they also do an amazing Sunday buffet thing. Set price and you can stuff your face on starters, mains and deserts. Top notch grub too.

Bazzo

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It is really a nice spot and the hotel is excellent. My mum's from not too far away so we don't usually need to stay in a hotel up there but we treated ourselves once. It's weird it's only a 4 star hotel though. Anyone know what makes a hotel 5 star? I stayed in a place in Galway a few weeks ago which is 5 star and it was alright but it wasn't a patch on Harvey's Point.

p.s. they also do an amazing Sunday buffet thing. Set price and you can stuff your face on starters, mains and deserts. Top notch grub too.

In addition to the first class (****) hotels:

Reception opened 24 hours, multilingual staff
Doorman-service or valet parking
Concierge, page boy
Spacious reception hall with several seats and beverage service
Personalized greeting for each guest with fresh flowers or a present in the room
Minibar and food and beverage offer via room service during 24 hours
Personal care products in flacons
Internet-PC in the room
Safe in the room
Ironing service (return within 1 hour), shoe polish service
Turndown service in the evening
Mystery guesting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_rating#European_Hotelstars_Union

I never take star rating too too seriously. I've stayed in some gorgeous 3 star hotels that haven't got the 4 star rating because they don't have some additional facilities like a gym or swimming pool or whatever.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bazzo wrote: »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_rating#European_Hotelstars_Union

I never take star rating too too seriously. I've stayed in some gorgeous 3 star hotels that haven't got the 4 star rating because they don't have some additional facilities like a gym or swimming pool or whatever.

Yeah, a lot of those things that mark it as 5 star aren't things I'd be interested in. Doormen, turn down service etc. are just annoying. Place I was in last week seemed annoyed when we said we didn't need help with our luggage. It was a tiny roller suitcase and an overnight bag.

mfceiling

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Yeah, a lot of those things that mark it as 5 star aren't things I'd be interested in. Doormen, turn down service etc. are just annoying. Place I was in last week seemed annoyed when we said we didn't need help with our luggage. It was a tiny roller suitcase and an overnight bag.

I know someone who owns a large 3 star hotel in a Midlands town. He was told to put a doorman on 24hrs a day and he could get a 4 star rating however he would also have to up his prices. He declined and keeps his prices keen with his 3 star rating. The hotel is packed all the time. Bar is jammed on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you wouldn't get a table on a Sunday for dinner.

I stayed in a 5 star hotel in dubrovnik and tbh I've been in 3 star hotels that were every bit as good.

errlloyd

Yeah, star ratings are nothing to do with quality and everything to do with satisfying a checklist.

irishbucsfan

mfceiling wrote: »

I know someone who owns a large 3 star hotel in a Midlands town. He was told to put a doorman on 24hrs a day and he could get a 4 star rating however he would also have to up his prices. He declined and keeps his prices keen with his 3 star rating. The hotel is packed all the time. Bar is jammed on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you wouldn't get a table on a Sunday for dinner.

I stayed in a 5 star hotel in dubrovnik and tbh I've been in 3 star hotels that were every bit as good.

I stayed in a 5-star hotel in a small African state and when you opened the minibar door there was a hole in the wall and then a tiny mini fridge seated within it!

I guess it's a little easier to sneak in with those ratings in some places

mfceiling

Watching a programme about the making of the tv show porridge. They interviewed Richard Beckinsale's daughter Kate.

Google her there....she's 42 by the way.

Buer

mfceiling wrote: »

Watching a programme about the making of the tv show porridge. They interviewed Richard Beckinsale's daughter Kate.

Google her there....she's 42 by the way.

I'm not sure if you're implying you didn't know who Kate Beckinsale was beforehand?!

irishbucsfan

mfceiling wrote: »

Watching a programme about the making of the tv show porridge. They interviewed Richard Beckinsale's daughter Kate.

Google her there....she's 42 by the way.

You're watching a documentary about a show starring Kate Beckinsale's father?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Buer wrote: »

I'm not sure if you're implying you didn't know who Kate Beckinsale was beforehand?!

I was thinking the same. Surely more people would have to Google Richard Beckinsale.

irishbucsfan

Kate Beckinsale has been in absolute classics like Van Helsing and Pearl Harbour!

Buer

irishbucsfan wrote: »

You're watching a documentary about a show starring Kate Beckinsale's father?

In fairness it's one of the best known comedies in British television history.

mfceiling

Oh I knew who she was alright...A little look through Google images does no harm!!

As an aside Porridge was one of the great comedies of that era.

irishbucsfan

Ah I know what Porridge is! I had UKTV Gold back when I was unemployed!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I see they're making a new version of Porridge. It's a one off but I assume they'll do a full series if it's any good.

errlloyd

mfceiling wrote: »

Oh I knew who she was alright...A little look through Google images does no harm!!

As an aside Porridge was one of the great comedies of that era.

Recently single as well

pickarooney

What's a turn down service? Is it a bloke who escorts you to night clubs and politely informs lads that you're not interested?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

pickarooney wrote: »

What's a turn down service? Is it a bloke who escorts you to night clubs and politely informs lads that you're not interested?

Have you patented this business idea?

Incase you were seriously asking they sneak into your room and fold back your bed cover so you don't have to. Most recent hotel I was in did it at about 6 o'clock and would switch on the TV too for some weird reason and leave the remote in a little leather folder on the pillow.

It's a completely ridiculous service which must have its origins in Downton Abbey times. Can't see why anyone would need their bed turned down.

Podge_irl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipXfMJALwAg

mfceiling

The mother is walking past the oxfam shop in Rathmines and says she's going in to look at the books. I went in for nosey and came out with Ferris's autobiography and O'Driscoll's. Both in hardback and both practically like new.

3 quid for Ferris's and a quid for O'Driscoll's!! How have I never thought to go in there before?

Journeyman_1

mfceiling wrote: »

The mother is walking past the oxfam shop in Rathmines and says she's going in to look at the books. I went in for nosey and came out with Ferris's autobiography and O'Driscoll's. Both in hardback and both practically like new.

3 quid for Ferris's and a quid for O'Driscoll's!! How have I never thought to go in there before?

I think there is some stigma attached to using charity shops that prevents people from going in.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Journeyman_1 wrote: »

I think there is some stigma attached to using charity shops that prevents people from going in.

When I was younger I used to think charity shops were for poor people to shop in. I didn't realise that their purpose was to raise money for charity.
The Oxfam shop on Parliament Street is really good. It'd mostly books and DVDs. I left a load of stuff in there one day after a massive clear out and had to stop myself from replacing it all imidiately.

mfceiling

It's one of those shops I've never given a thought about. The mother is always in them - she's an avid reader and maintains it's a mecca for books.

She picked up another couple of books today that she has been looking for (keeps a notebook with the ones she wants!!). They had a great selection of travel books - if I get away later in the year I'll definitely be back in there to pick up a couple of guide books.

pickarooney

Soon enough you'll have made back all that cash frittered away in Disneyland in savings on rugby books.

mfceiling

mfceiling wrote: »

The mother is walking past the oxfam shop in Rathmines and says she's going in to look at the books. I went in for nosey and came out with Ferris's autobiography and O'Driscoll's. Both in hardback and both practically like new.

3 quid for Ferris's and a quid for O'Driscoll's!! How have I never thought to go in there before?

That shop also has a canvas print of Victoria Beckham for only one euro

mfceiling

[Deleted User] wrote: »

That shop also has a canvas print of Victoria Beckham for only one euro

Had...

Stheno

mfceiling wrote: »

Had...

Ya didn't buy it?

I love charity shops the amount of stuff I've found in them is unreal.

Best was a furla handbag for three euro, my boss was disgusted as his missus wanted one heeeheee

Teferi

Love a charity shop adventure to restock the bookshelves. You find the odd gem too - a year ago I found a gamecube + about 30 games for €40. I added the games I didn't have to my collection and sold the rest, made a tidy profit.

mfceiling

Stheno wrote: »

Ya didn't buy it?

I love charity shops the amount of stuff I've found in them is unreal.

Best was a furla handbag for three euro, my boss was disgusted as his missus wanted one heeeheee

I never actually looked at the clothes as I was on a high with my books.

I remember reading that there was a charity shop in an affluent part of London. Some clever clogs was buying the ladies practically new designer clothes and bags and was flogging them for a tidy profit on ebay!!

*heads off to charity shop in donnybrook*