We loved Dublin and all the history it has to offer. Azalea lodge truly became our home away from home. We were staying at Azalea Lodge during the volcano crisis. We cannot say enough about the hospitality that was extended to our family from Bernadette & Padraig. They went above and beyond to accommodate our family and make us feel comfortable. They were watching the news and the status of flights as closely as we were. They offered to help in an way possible so we could make our return trip back to the United States. They let us use their computer and phone as we were looking into various options to get back home. We were so thankful to have Bernadette & Padraig as our hosts. I don't believe we would have had such care given to us from a commercial hotel. Our children experienced first hand true hospitality. They commented several times about how nice Bernadette & Padraig were.
Azalea Lodge was immaculate and Bernadette's breakfast was delicious! It is an easy bus ride to Dublin City Center and there are a few nice restaurants within walking distance to the Inn.
Our daughter is studying in Dublin and when we returned home Bernadette emailed us to see how our trip was and told us that if our daughter needed anything while she is in Dublin that she can call them. Azalea Lodge is a gem because Benadette & Padraig have made it to be a gem!
If we have an opportunity to go back to Dublin we absolutely know where we will be staying!!

Cozy, comfortable and excellent service. Wonderful breakfast, homemade scones and jam so tasty!! Nice and warm. Perfect transportation with the bus right outside guesthouse. We didn´t want to leave for Stockholm. We will choose Azelea for our next trip too!

We planned a 10 trip to Irelande and Dublin was our first stop. We went right from the airport by taxi to The Azalea Lodge,where Bernadette was waiting for us with scones and coffee (we could have had tea as well!). There is a reason this B&B is rated #1: Service and cleanliness and comfortable beds.

After we got settled, Bernadette told us which bus to catch to get into Dublin and explained how to get back. It was all very easy. She had plenty of pamphlets and also gave us several choices of restaurants for lunch and dinner, even offering to make reservations.

The Azalea Lodge was shiny clean, the bed was uber comfortable and Bernadette was super helpful in both recommendations for dining and how to get around. While the B&B is outside the city center, it is a short bus ride in. We missed the first breakfast as we overslept, but our second day we were able to partake and Bernadette puts out an amazing spread.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be a tiny little thing, a nitpicking thing really. There are no face cloths, only large towels and one hand towel for the sink. If I had a request, it would be that there be two bath towels, two hand towels and two face towels (one for each guest per room). The bath towels were the largest and thickest we had on the trip, but it would have been nice to have a face towel to wash off with instead of soaping up with the soap. But it was a really small thing when everything else was so lovely. The Azalea Lodge is a true treasure, in my opinion. More on our trip to Ireland at http://bookhooknomad.blogspot.com/2010/03/razor-clams-and-ireland.html and driving tips in Ireland http://bookhooknomad.blogspot.com/2010/03/driving-in-ireland.html

I'm a little late in posting this review...

We started and finished our two week tour of Southern Ireland in Dublin... staying at Azalea both times. Azalea is an easy 15-20 minute drive from the airport (a GPS helps though!). Once you arrive, you can park the car on a side street (free!) and get about using Dublin's excellent public transit system.

Bernadette and Padraig could not have been more hospitable or helpful. As mentioned in other reviews, Bernadette greeted us with tea and scones (very welcome after a long trip from Toronto to Frankfurt to Dublin). And I have to also concur with the other reviews....breakfasts are great - something for everyone... from full Irish to almost anything else you could want.... and so is the advice on what to see/do.... how to get there.... where to eat... and the list goes on and on. Further, Bernadette suggested that since we'd be there for three days, we should consider getting a bus pass (available at corner stores) and hop on/off as needed... this worked perfectly for us.

We asked for a quiet room... and that's what we got... at the top of the stairs (2 flights up).... cozy and quiet. A couple items though... we found the room a little on the chilly side the first night... the other two nights it was fine. Also, I have to say that the shower was new to us... we 'discovered' a gizmo that heats the water 'on demand' - after about 10 minutes of fiddling we figured out how it worked - after that there was no problem... and lots of hot water!

When we left we asked to 'borrow' one of the guidebooks that they had.... and promised to return it when we returned 2 weeks later... absolutely no problem....

We recommend Azalea to fellow travellers... .