This grand old hotel has been nicely renovated and is conveniently located indeed. However, our stay at the Great Southern was not so great. We had reserved a twin room. We were given a double. When we requested a twin, rather than give us one of many vacant rooms, the front desk insisted that we were wrong and had reserved a double. Luckily, I had brought a copy of the reservation. After more haggling and several minutes of hushed conferencing between the clerk and desk manager, we were given the room we had requested. (I saw another couple having the same experience the day we checked out.)

When got to our twin room, we found that the toilet tank emitted a loud hissing sound every 10 seconds and the wardrobe creaked each time we walked by (it was unavoidably located across from the bathroom door.) We called down to the desk and were told that repairs would be made within an hour. When we returned after dinner, the hissing had grown louder and more frequent. It could be clearly heard through the closed bathroom door. We contacted the front desk and were told that the repair staff was gone and repairs would have to wait for the next day. We requested a new room but even though the hotel was far from full, they refused to move us unless we paid an additional $90 for the night.

Worst of all, however, was the heat. The windows cannot be opened more than a crack. Since it was early fall, the AC had been turned off. The weather was unusually hot that day, in the upper 70's and sunny, and the room was stiffling hot. Neither of us could sleep with the heat, hissing and creaking. Temperatures dropped over the next few days, but the room never cooled off. If you are sensitive to heat, do not stay at this hotel during the spring or fall.

The breakfast was fine (I can recommend the oatmeal) but the service is stuffy and prices very high.

Eyre Square is a mess. If you have a masochistic need to stay here, wait until the renovation project is over.

the bathroom at the hotel was stark white w/ dirty floors and hair. the room was small and seemed clean but the decor was all old. this was defintintely a 3 star at best...not the 4 star it claimed to be

There is only one positive about this hotel - Its central location. Sorry two the sheets were comfy.
Now for the negatives of our experience. Rip off central we had to pay €30 euro for breakfast for two. Talk about a rip off. Room and bath were tiny. And we got locked out of the hotel. Yes thats right locked out. We returned to the hotel after dinner in a restaurant @ 12.30. The front entrance was locked and there was no porter. It was lashing rain outside. 10 mins later the porter showed up, without even saying sorry. Totally unacceptable! To be honest a good B&B would have been better. Scratch that a hostel would have been better. Warning - If want to get fleeced at a hotel with good service, go to the Great Southern they'll gladly oblige! Note to management don't charge 5 star prices, when you can only deliver two star service.

We stayed here for one night and it was a shame checking out. The rooms were gorgeous and there were so many facilities you would not want to leave the hotel. Hot tub, jacuzzi, beautician etc. The only drawback would be all the contruction work going on in Eyre Square has left the view outside terrible. The bedrooms looked different also to most typical hotel rooms and the overall atmosphere was great. The staff were really friendly and efficient and the location of the hotel is brilliant. While it is on the expensive side it is beter value for money than most hotels.