Expert reviews
“Comfy and friendly, the Harding Hotel is situated on Fishamble Lane, where Handel’s “Messiah” premiered in 1742. More specifically, it’s located directly across from Christchurch Cathedral, which is visible from some rooms, and is within walking distance of all of Dublin’s main sights.”
What guests liked
- Friendly staff
- Excellent location
- Comfortable beds
- Boutique style
- Excellent Wifi
- Large rooms
All you need to know
The Harding Hotel is tucked away on Fishamble Street, one of Dublin’s oldest and most historic thoroughfares. It sits right in the heart of the medieval city, offering a quieter, traditional charm while remaining just steps away from the bustling Temple Bar district and the iconic River Liffey.
The hotel’s most famous feature is its onsite bar, Darkey Kelly’s. The name carries a dark local legend; it is said that the area was once home to a woman named Darkey Kelly, who was executed in 1761 after being accused of being Ireland’s first female serial killer. Today, the pub honors this history with a much lighter touch, featuring regular live traditional Irish music.
The location is a dream for sightseeing. You are essentially neighbors with the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, and major landmarks like Dublin Castle and the Chester Beatty Museum are just a short walk away. Whether you are hunting for history or want to be near the city’s vibrant social scene, the hotel serves as a perfect, central home base.
While the property is a modern, purpose-built facility, it feels deeply connected to the legacy of the city. Guests often remark on the convenience of being able to stroll to Trinity College or the shops of Grafton Street, making it an excellent spot for anyone wanting to soak up the true spirit of Dublin.
Location
Recent guest reviews
12 May 2026
Great place, large bed was to small beds together, did not have wash clothes to use.
Great pancakes and French toast
10 May 2026
Fabulous
Good location with a great bar below and excellent food/music
10 May 2026
Fantastic location with the friendliest staff and the best pub and restaurant attached - a real gem.
This is now my first choice for hotel every time I travel to Dublin, for work or pleasure. Stepping into the hotel I knew it was going to be good as it looked well kept and was busy. The staff were friendly and the room, although small, was clean and was all I needed. That evening I dined in the Cooper Alley Bistro not even realizing it was connected. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The atmosphere was buzzing, and each dish wash better than before. I stopped by the pub later and I couldn't believe it - live Irish music with a packed crowd. Such fun. What really blew me away was breakfast. I was shown to Cooper Alley Bistro by a connecting door that I didn't know was there. The choices were incredible and the food was, again, absolutely outstanding. The staff on my second day were, if possible, even friendlier than on my first day. It was an absolute pleasure to say here and I'll be back.
Extremely small room, but everything else made up for it.
10 May 2026
Fabulous
The room was too warm and the A/C was not able to provide enough cool air.
9 May 2026
Extremely helpful and friendly staff
Location, location, location
Very noisy from partying folks in the local restaurant
9 May 2026
A fantastic stay!
Excellent 24/7 help from staff, very comfy room and beds, incredible breakfast and enough options, really friendly and lively bar downstairs, able to check in earlier than expected, able to leave luggage at the hotel before check in and after check in if your plane isn't till later. Fantastic experience! Where our room was positioned, we had an incredible view of Christchurch Cathedral from our window (right across the road from it!) and we woke up to church bells every morning. Excellent location, about a 5 minute walk away from Temple Bar and very close to everything you'll want to visit!
Nothing to comment on!
8 May 2026
Friendly staff, good WiFi, strategic location, good breakfast. I don’t mind with the noise.
Strategic location, nice breakfast, value for money
Near bar, no sound proof
7 May 2026
Good location, value for money
Great location. Good value for money. Very clean.
Decor is a bit dated, but the hotel is comfortable and clean.
6 May 2026
Fabulous
Excellent breakfast
4 May 2026
Fabulous
Great location, fantastic staff and a really cozy room.
Bathroom was a touch tight, but still usable.
4 May 2026
Will be back
Super location, comfy beds, outstanding staff
Bedroom was tiny
4 May 2026
Exceptional
Great location, very friendly and helpful staff. The hotel has its own unique atmosphere. There is a pub and a restaurant on the ground floor with fantastic food. Highly recommended.
If you go to bed early, the pub might be noisy for you.
3 May 2026
Comfortable and quiet hotel, right near historic medievel part of Dublin.
All very good and there's a great pub next door downstairs, with excellent live music.
In the room there's a light along the floor of the entrance to the bathroom, which can be distracting when you're trying to sleep - however you can just place a towel over it.
3 May 2026
Fabulous
Great location and the pub and restaurant were fabulous
1 May 2026
We loved the location
Location to center city
Nothing
1 May 2026
Cracking trip for the races.
Staff friendly and welcoming, rooms clean with beds v comfortable. Pub built into venue with excellent food and a breakfast to die for.
Wouldn’t change anything
1 May 2026
The stay was short but extremely comfortable
Great people, facilities and excellent location.
All was good.
29 April 2026
All of the staff were superb !!
The breakfast was tasty!! The portions were very generous!
The coffee was ok.
28 April 2026
Fabulous
The location is great. Although it's in the heart of the city, the neighbourhood is nice and quiet. Everything is nice and clean. :)
I don't really like that the breakfast is portioned. Though the size of the portion was good, I better like to make my own plate. The quality of food was also great.
28 April 2026
Birthday trip to Dublin
Lovely helpful staff. Very clean perfectly situated. Brilliant bar down stairs and great breakfast. Lovely size room to.
We we're on the first floor so quite noisy from the street and bar.
28 April 2026
9/10
Clean and friendly staff great location just off the main areas
28 April 2026
It’s special , come and stay for great old fashioned service and care . Not to mention great music and food . Thank you
Everything but especially the wonderful friendly staff and comfy beds
Loved it all !
27 April 2026
Exceptional
Location and food
26 April 2026
Great location with easy pub typical Irish pub with great Irish folk music.
Location and interconnection with the lovely pub downstairs.
23 April 2026
Lovely place in a super convenient location with an awesome pub in the basement.
Lovely place in a super convenient location with an awesome pub in the basement.
Nothing
23 April 2026
Friendly hotel in centre of Dublin
Very friendly staff in this small hotel located in the hesrt of historic Dublin. I had a street facing single room which was obviously going to feature traffic noise but which eased after rush hour and didn't cause too much disruption to sleep. The bed was very comfortable but the room featured a strange strip light at the threshold to the bathroom that I could not switch off and I had to cover it eventually to get some sleep. Overall it was OK but not as restful a night as Id hoped.
Safety light, as described above. Would have liked a room not facing the street but there were positives too, friendly staff and comfy bed.
23 April 2026
Great spot, friendly staff
Location, included lively pub and very helpful staff.
Parking is an issue
23 April 2026
Exceptional
Lovely hotel in a great location, within walking distance of all the sights. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Our room was ready early which makes such a difference to a one night stay. Will definitely stay again!
Nothing!
22 April 2026
Perfect stay.
Perfect location! We could walk to anywhere. Close to Temple Bar but not too close. Great restaurant and the Pub was excellent. Staff was great and super helpful with answers to our questions. Helpful with transportation ideas.
I would stay here again when visiting Dublin. I don't think we were unhappy with anything.
21 April 2026
Very good
Love the location and amazing staff. Friendly, polite, helpful. Have stayed before and will stay again.
Really nothing. It is an older building but that adds to the charm
20 April 2026
Central location, reasonably priced with lovely food and good music in the bar
I've stayed at Harding Hotel multiple times, which shows that it gets my seal of approval. The location is great, and it's reasonably priced. I didn't have the breakfast this time, but the Thai chicken curry I had for dinner in the pub was delicious.
20 April 2026
Exceptional
Excellent location. Staff were very friendly and the food was excellent.
I had nothing to complain about.
19 April 2026
Very good location, lovely breakfast, excellent staff, room was dark but v comfortable
Very helpful staff, good location and excellent value.
Lack of natural light into the room. Light needed at all times
17 April 2026
Memorable stay on Fishamble Street
Ideal location for us: We were there to join in the annual "Messiah on the Street", on the spot where Handel's masterpiece was first performed! Good restaurant and bar with live music. Excellent breakfast, available up to noon.
The price of a pint. But that's Dublin ... we're used to better value down south! And the (good) live music was way too loud.
17 April 2026
Lovely hotel in an excellent location in the city center
The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The pub connected to the hotel has live music and dancing every night and serves delicious food.
The cleaning products used to clean the room had a very strong smell. I was a little disappointed with the breakfast, especially the coffee was not very good.
15 April 2026
Cozy and convenient
The woman at the desk helping me was so friendly, genuine and helpful. She held my bags and got my room ready approx two hours early.
13 April 2026
Brilliant and will be back for sure. Highly recommend and location excellent also.
Breakfast was excellent,bar food was excellent also. Great atmosphere in the bar, staff were so friendly and welcoming. Could not fault any of it at all. Hotel, bar and restaurant all excellent.
12 April 2026
Just a note to management to be aware of taxi drivers they call for guests as we were overcharged by our pick up we repo
Lovely atmosphere beds comfortable great entertainment delicious food management very professional reception staff very friendly will definitely return soon and will recommend to others
Nothing
10 April 2026
Exceptional
The staff I just can't say enough about the staff how lovely they are!!
8 April 2026
Exceptional
The staff were friendly and very helpful with everything we needed, including lending us umbrellas. There’s a pub at the hotel with a lively atmosphere. I would definitely come Back.
8 April 2026
Comfort and Location
Friendly staff, excellent restaurant and great location.
Nothing.
7 April 2026
A gem of a hotel
The staff is fantastic - very helpful and friendly. The hotel is older but well-kept and very clean. The rooms and furniture are a bit dated but in great condition. Access to Darkey Kellys and the Copper Alley Bistro downstairs add to the quality of the stay. Both are excellent. You are just outside of the heavy bustle but close enough to be able to walk wherever you choose. This place is a real gem.
4 stairs to the elevator but staff is super helpful navigating so it's not a big deal.
7 April 2026
I would stay here every time I come to Dublin
Everything
N/A
7 April 2026
Excellent hospitality from the staff
Location was superb! Noise levels weren't loud at all overnight and the rooms were incredibly clean with a daily cleaning service provided. The single room is quite spacious and there's food/a pub downstairs, if you feel like meeting other travellers! Finally, the staff were absolutely wonderful - everyone I spoke to was so incredibly accommodating and always happy to answer questions. Luggage storage available during the day + adaptors can be borrowed, so very convenient overall.
Shower pressure was a little low, but really nothing major. Some bed sheet covers had a minor stain as well.
6 April 2026
Fabulous
Good locations close to everything, staff was very friendly, we could leave our baggage in the hotel before check-in, the hotel is connected to a great pub and restaurant, it was quiet, there is a lift for wheelchair users.
Room was clean but the furniture was old fashioned.
5 April 2026
Very good location and 100% overall
Location and entertainment in the pub
Nothing
4 April 2026
Exceptional
Personal are very helpful and friendly. Really great location and very cosy
1 April 2026
Delightful
What a joy to stay here and be able to just pop down to Darkey Kelly's for a pint and live music! The staff are absolutely delightful. Incredible location, and you can park at a nearby carpark with a discount when you are a hotel guest.
1 April 2026
Really enjoyed the fun environment with pub on site and friendly staff.
Location was exceptional. The staff was so helpful and friendly. The pub on site was fun and had live Irish music.
The rooms felt a little outdated but excellent cleanliness and everything functioned perfectly. There is a courtyard where you can hear some noise if you go to bed early but closes at a reasonable time for sleep.
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Fax/photocopying
- - Luggage storage
- - Trouser press
- - Vending machine (drinks)
- - Vending machine (snacks)
- - Daily housekeeping
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
Activities
- - Evening entertainment
- - Live music/performance
- - Live sport events (broadcast)
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers

More photos

12 May 2026
Fabulous