Trinity College Dublin

Students of budget accommodation might want to spend a night on the campus of the world-famous Trinity College in central Dublin. During the summer months (late-May until the mid-September), the college rents out student rooms at rates that are quite reasonable, if a bit hard to explain.

The College, itself one of Dublin's premier tourist destinations, is located in the heart of the city, just South of the Liffey. The 40-acre, cross-shaped, campus is comprised of extensive yards, sporting fields, museums, libraries and churches. So yes, as far as hotels go, this is one heck of a facility.

The Trinity College Accommodation Office offers tourists three types of rooms: Goldsmith Hall, Apartment and En Suite. Apartment rooms, located in the historic section of the college, are un-renovated. Rooms are simple and share facilities (one bathroom for every two or three singles). Goldsmith Hall rooms have modern facilities and are housed in a "purpose-built" (aka modern and ugly) apartment building located across the street from the eastern edge of campus—about a 15-minute walk from the front gates. En-suite rooms are renovated rooms with private facilities located within the charming historic campus area.

Rooms are student dormitories and, as such, provide surprise-free furnishings without a television or telephone, although many are equipped with kitchenettes. With 600 rooms, the college often places solo travelers alone in their suites, offering quite a lot of room for your euro.

The day we checked out the facility, we waited in the Trinity College's "accommodations office," located just inside the gates. An older couple from the States was checking into a Superior.

"Where is our room?" they cried despairingly to the clerk.

"We're here right now," the clerk said, as he pointed to a jumbo aerial map hanging on the wall, "And you need to go here." Then he traced his pen along the cobbled walk of the college, up, up, out, and across the street.

The couple was not pleased. They had walked enough for the day. "How are we supposed to get our luggage out there?" the man demanded.

Not to worry, the clerk called upon an assistant, and they all headed out the door together.

Staying at Trinity is an experience. It's potentially romantic and unusual. It's convenient and cost-effective. But don't come expecting a typical hotel.