The Hostelz.com Review
Located conveniently close to the main train\bus stations and the main street of Dublin, the Shining Hostel (previously Dublin Rainbow Hostel) is a cheap sleeping option in this expensive city. Because of this, you'll often find long-term lodgers who are studying or looking to live in Dublin.
Expect the epitome of dormitory living -- the hostel is set across four floors with many rooms containing as many bunk beds that will fit in each. Dorms range from six to twenty beds. There is minimal privacy, so the shy traveler should book one of the few single-sex rooms. There is no security to speak of, except a key card system for the smaller dorms -- anybody with a card can access any room by simply requesting the card be re-activated for the room of their choice. There are no lockers available, so if you plan on staying in a large dorm, chaining your bag to the bed is suggested.
There's an often-inconvenient lock-out from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for cleaning and a small late fee if you sleep in and don't exit the hostel in time. After the lock-out, the hostel remains clean for only a few hours because of the large numbers of guests -- it gets dirty again fast. The bathrooms are noticeably unclean and the shower taps are on a timer, so you need to get the water running again every forty seconds. In the mixed dorms, the unisex shower windows are only semi-opaque. The common area is a buzz of activity in the evenings with TV, pool table, kitchen, and is a great place for meeting other travelers. However the rooms on the same floor will hear noise from here late into the night.
If you walk in to this hostel, book and pay for your length of stay in advance or you may be moved around every night. The Shining Hostel is a good choice for the budget traveler but if you're looking for comfort, pay an extra couple of euro and stay at one of the many other hostels nearby.
Expect the epitome of dormitory living -- the hostel is set across four floors with many rooms containing as many bunk beds that will fit in each. Dorms range from six to twenty beds. There is minimal privacy, so the shy traveler should book one of the few single-sex rooms. There is no security to speak of, except a key card system for the smaller dorms -- anybody with a card can access any room by simply requesting the card be re-activated for the room of their choice. There are no lockers available, so if you plan on staying in a large dorm, chaining your bag to the bed is suggested.
There's an often-inconvenient lock-out from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for cleaning and a small late fee if you sleep in and don't exit the hostel in time. After the lock-out, the hostel remains clean for only a few hours because of the large numbers of guests -- it gets dirty again fast. The bathrooms are noticeably unclean and the shower taps are on a timer, so you need to get the water running again every forty seconds. In the mixed dorms, the unisex shower windows are only semi-opaque. The common area is a buzz of activity in the evenings with TV, pool table, kitchen, and is a great place for meeting other travelers. However the rooms on the same floor will hear noise from here late into the night.
If you walk in to this hostel, book and pay for your length of stay in advance or you may be moved around every night. The Shining Hostel is a good choice for the budget traveler but if you're looking for comfort, pay an extra couple of euro and stay at one of the many other hostels nearby.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2007
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Shining Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
I think there are better hostels around If stayed two days in the shining hostel and I think it was too expensive for 15 euro a night. The rooms are ok, it's a hostel at least, but the rest was very dirty. I didn't use the shower, they had a towel lying in front of them. That's usually a good idea, but it didn't look like they are changing it very often. At the backyard was a lot of rubbish backs laying around. The kitchen where the breakfast was served also looked like not be cleaned so often. I was on their website later and can't say, that it really looks like that. Ok, it's close to the center and 15 euro a night isn't that expensive, the staff was alright, and the room wasn't that bad. But the rest was dirty and filthy and I didn't fell comfortable around there. I wouldn't sleep there again. I recommend to search another hostel. There are plenty in Dublin. I just wonder where the 5 stars reviews come from, it isn't five stars really. — Anonymous , Germany (2010-09-27) One night in this sleazy place will make you feel as though you have spent a week soaking in rotten chicken broth. — Paddy (2006-08-04) The Rainbow Hostel is a filthy commode. I stayed there for six nights in April and hated every moment of being in-house. The staff is unfriendly, the building was in shambles, the bathrooms are disgusting, and a good portion of the people staying there are dispicable bums. But there is one thing that I will never forget about this place -- or I should say two things because the smell of cigarettes and excrement in the bathroom is certainly something that will not soon pass. but the one thing that really stood out was the smell of the kitchen. There was an odor, coming from behind the fridge, that literally smelled like a dead rotting animal carcass. Now I can put up with a lot, but this smell was so rank, so vile and putrid that I could not bring myself to make a single meal at the hostel. — Jake (2006-08-04) This place is a dive. If you poured a pint on your head you'd feel cleaner than you do after a visit to the Rainbow bathrooms. This is a place you book if there is absolutely nothing else available in central Dublin. (Worse luck for us, the famed friendly Kiwi receptionist wasn't around for our stay -- we were stuck with a cranky Aussie!) — Jon (2006-07-25) By far the worst hostel I have ever stayed at. Dirty, filthy and definitely something dodgy going on with some of the staff. I noticed on their website that they are doing renovations, I know other people who have stayed there and it seems these have been going on for three years!
There is loads of other hostels in Dublin, do yourself a favour and stay in one of them. If you stay at the Rainbow Hostel you will regret it and it will ruin your impression of Dublin. — Kelly (2006-07-03) It's more of a home for people trying to move/work in Ireland rather then a hostel. I'd say seventy percent of the people there have been there for multiple months and are not interested in meeting new people. They already have formed groups and I felt like an outsider even after trying to talk to them numerous times. The kiwi receptionist is the only thing worth mentioning. — Josh (2006-05-04) Where to start? This is not a very good hostel. I had read the reviews but decided to try it anyway. My mistake.
Let's start with the bathrooms: they are terrible. There were four toilets and not one had a lid/seat that was attached. Then there was the cleanliness issue. The bathrooms were not clean. I tried not to look too close at the floor to determine what was there. The showers are pretty small and pathetic with a glass door. Not all of the sinks worked and there was water all over the entire floor. As for the rooms, well, there was an unpleasant smell. There were many flies circling around. There was no locker of any kind. I also happened to have inconsiderate people staying in the same room: coming back around 3 a.m., banging/knocking on the door because the keycard didn't work, turning on the lights and having a conversation. The kitchen and lounge area was pretty small as well.
I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Sure, it is cheap, but you can't even get a good night's sleep. — Jack - USA, RTW 2005 (2005-09-18) We loved the Rainbow Hostel. From the minute I called to make a reservation the wonderful Kiwi receptionist helped me with absolutely everything. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed into the home of many wonderfully interesting people. They accepted us as if we had lived there our whole lives. I really want to compliment the hostel's Kiwi receptionist and give her five extra stars. She really is a wonderful person and truly brightens up the place. Keep up the good work. — The two Americans (2005-01-20) This is the WORST hostel I've ever stayed at. — Anonymous (2004-11-29) This is not a hostel, it is basically a rundown filthy homeless shelter!!! Don't stay here. The showers are dirty and see-through. We had to sleep with partners and with our coats on because it was filthy and freezing. Two words describe this place: unsafe and unsanitary. The reception desk was creepy and the smell was like that of a concentration camp. — Anonymous (2004-11-29) You have to go here. This is the best hostel in Ireland!! You will love this place as much as I did! I am telling the truth! — Paula (2004-11-20) My friend, Anna, and I came to Ireland for the first time last fall, and we were really quite timid about being in a completely foreign place, with no idea what to do. Luckily, someone referred us to the Rainbow Hostel, and we at least had a place to stay. But it was a lot more than just a place to stay. We couldn't have possibly asked for a better experience. The intimate size of this hostel made it so much easier to get acquainted with people who knew their way around, and they had some really good tips for us (not to mention, we made new friends). The facility itself was very clean and bright. The staff were all godsends. Thank you, thank you. And the other visitors were great, too. As for Anna and me, we plan on coming back as soon as we can afford it, and we wouldn't think of staying anywhere else. Thank you for an unforgettable time. — Cat and Anna (2004-05-21)