[ENG] Dublin Homestay Honest Review – What I Wish I Knew Before Booking!
🏡 My Dublin Homestay Experience – What You Need to Know!
"Where should I stay when I arrive in Dublin?" 🤔
That was my biggest question when preparing for my working holiday in Ireland. Hotels, hostels, homestays... so many choices!
In the end, I decided on a homestay. But guess what? I booked it just one week before my flight… 😅 Not the best planning, I know!
Still, I made it work, and now I want to share my experience so that you can be better prepared. Let’s get into it!
🏠 Why I Chose a Homestay
I’m someone who needs a quiet, comfortable place to sleep. So, even though a homestay was a bit over my budget, I decided to go for it.
✅ Booking Website: Homestay.com
✅ Cost: €1150 for 2 weeks (including deposit)
✅ Location: Safe neighborhood in Dublin 4 (Sandymount)
 |
|
 |
|
 |
✅ Step 3: Check Your BookingsOnce you select and confirm a homestay, you can view your reservation details in the "Bookings" section.  ✅ Step 4: Payment & Confirmation After completing the payment, you’ll receive a booking confirmation page along with a receipt. Keep this for your records! |
💳 Payment Process & Important Tips!
When booking through Homestay.com, you only pay a service fee upfront. The rest? You pay directly to your host.
I asked my host how they preferred to be paid, and they said cash. So, I withdrew money from an ATM and handed it over. 💸
💡 Tip: Avoid withdrawing large amounts from random ATMs—there’s a fee! I later found out that AIB bank ATMsdon’t charge fees for small withdrawals.
Most people won’t have an Irish bank account (like Revolut or AIB) when they first arrive, so cash payments are common. Be prepared!
🔎 The Reality of My Homestay (Honest Review)
✅ Pros:
✔️ Safe neighborhood, close to supermarkets
✔️ Spacious and clean room
❌ Cons:
✖️ Strict bathroom rules & no towels provided
✖️ No meals included (not even breakfast!)
✖️ No cleaning for 2 weeks
✖️ The kitchen was too small and messy to cook in
✖️ Had to eat out every day, which cost a LOT
 |
bad kitchen :( |
👩💻 The Host?
Imagine a 30-something remote worker who is super focused on work and not very interested in guests. That was my host.
She wasn’t rude, but she also wasn’t welcoming. So, I just smiled, said “hi,” and got through the two weeks.
📌 Pro Tip for Booking on Homestay.com
If you’re considering a homestay, always choose a place with a lot of reviews (good or bad!).
🏡 A host with many reviews is usually more experienced and prepared for guests.
⚠️ I made the mistake of booking a place with only two reviews… and well, you can see how that turned out. 😅
If you’re thinking about booking a homestay in Dublin, I hope this helps. Be smart about your choice and check everything before booking! 🏡💡
