Dublin: Isaac's Hostel (1 Star Hostel)

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Address: 2-5 frenchmans lane , Dublin , Ireland
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Lonely Planet review

The northside's best hostel - hell, for atmosphere alone it's the best in town - is in a 200-year-old wine vault just around the corner from the main bus station. Friendly, secure and well stocked, it generates consistently good reviews from backpackers and other budget travellers.

The buzzing atmosphere is evident as soon as you set foot inside the door of Ireland's first independent hostel; the guests sharing notes and experiences over a breakfast cuppa and muffin is all part of the service. The high quality dorms range in shapes and sizes and cater to pretty much all kind of travellers, from experienced solo wanderers looking for a cheap bunk to school groups and their supervisors. A massive refurbishment in 2005 has seen a host of new facilities in the basement, including additional Internet stations and ports (for laptop carriers), a big TV room and - the best of the lot - a new sauna. On Friday evenings there's live music on the patio, and musical guests score a sweet deal - two hours of entertainment earn you a free bed. Popular? One Aussie traveller has been a guest for two years and refuses to find an apartment.