How I Turned an Overnight Dublin Airport Stopover into a Reset

Overnight stopovers are usually endured rather than enjoyed. Often, the goal is to get as close to the airport as possible, sleep if you can, and hit the road early. But at the end of a busy week of sightseeing and days filled with walking, absorbing history, and constantly moving, I realized I didn’t want my final night in Ireland to feel rushed, noisy, or purely functional.

Instead of staying right at the terminal, I chose the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport next to Santry Demesne Regional Park, just a short distance from Dublin Airport. What I gained wasn’t just convenience, but something far more valuable: quiet, fresh air, and the chance to walk, unwind, and let my body and mind reset before onward travel. That single night transformed an ordinary overnight layover into a calm pause between journeys. It’s an approach I’d happily repeat.

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Why I Had an Overnight Layover Near Dublin Airport

I spent nearly two wonderful weeks sightseeing in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and attending a conference, with additional sightseeing,  in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ireland.

(From Letterkenny, I toured the town on foot, visited Glenveagh Castle, and took an e-bike tour) 

My next destination was Bilbao, Spain, and an early-afternoon flight from Dublin Airport proved to be the best option.  

The bus ride from Letterkenny to Dublin Airport takes about three hours. I planned to arrive the day before my flight to avoid the stress of relying on a morning bus.  

How I Chose to Stay at Crowne Plaza® Dublin Airport near Santry Demesne Regional Park

After an extended sightseeing trip, and knowing I needed to be rested and centered for the upcoming Spain journey, I began searching for a one-night Dublin airport hotel with my usual approach: 

Review all available options via an OTA like Booking.com,
Eliminate hotels with consistently poor reviews,
Choose a moderately priced hotel from the remaining options after reading reviews for key details, such as room comfort and noise levels.   

For this short stay, other desirable features included an airport shuttle and a full breakfast.  

Ireland, in general, and Dublin in particular, have high demand and limited hotel supply, so prices tend to be elevated across the board.  The airport area was no exception! The first thing I noticed was that there were no actual “budget” options for my date, with prices averaging $200-250 per night, nonrefundable, before taxes and fees. 

A note on air conditioning: Some hotels offer rooms without air conditioning, generally at slightly lower prices than those with air conditioning.  

The Contenders

Here are some hotels I considered.  

Saving a Few Bucks (or Pounds or Euros) at Hotels Slightly Further from the Airport 

To be fair, there were some cheaper options farther from the airport terminal, like the Travelodge Dublin Airport North Swords or The Old Borough Hotel. However, most posed extra logistical challenges for someone without a car: managing luggage on public buses, relying on taxis, limited food options, and so on.

Central Dublin Hotels

Before committing, I checked hotel prices in central Dublin. Unfortunately, staying in the city was no cheaper than at the airport. Additionally, it would have required an extra 30 minutes on the bus into Dublin, then another 30-minute bus ride back to the airport the next day.  That option was not appealing. 

Close-In Hotels: Walking Distance to Dublin Airport

Hotels within walking distance of the terminal, such as the Maldron Hotel, the Carlton Hotel, and the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport Central (formerly the Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport, and not to be confused with the Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport, a separate property), initially seemed like the best options.  These hotels offer full breakfast options and airport shuttles.

The Carlton also has a fitness center.  Guests at the Maldron and Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport Central can use the ALSAA Leisure Club, which offers a gym, pool, and hot tub, and is a two- to three-minute walk from either hotel.  The Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport Central offers complimentary access; Maldron guests must pay a small additional fee.

The Solution: A Hotel That Let Me Go for a Walk

And then I happened on something that I hadn’t expected near an airport: a hotel that met all my criteria adjacent to an expansive, walkable green space.  The Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport by IHG is located next to Santry Demesne Regional Park, an 87-acre (35.2-hectare) park on land that was once a private estate. The front of the hotel overlooks this leafy, tranquil park—a rarity so close to a major international airport.

Although the price was higher than I would typically pay for a one-night stay, the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport checked every box and then some.  I booked a refundable standard King room with a buffet breakfast for €246.38 ($289.52).  

Other Hotels in Santry

Another IHG property, the Holiday Inn Express next to the Crowne Plaza, likely offers lower rates than the Crowne Plaza, if open. Unfortunately, it was not available for my stay (and is currently showing NO available dates for 2026). 

The Metro Hotel Dublin Airport is also in Santry, a 10-minute walk from the park entrance on Ballymore Road, which provides access to the park’s Riverside Trail. 

Features of the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport at Santry Park

The four-star Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport hotel has 209 contemporary guest rooms in a variety of configurations.  Designed for both business travelers and leisure guests, rooms feature air conditioning, flat‑screen TVs, workspaces, and high‑speed Wi‑Fi.​ The property also includes a fitness center, two restaurants, and a coffee bar.  

My king room was quiet and comfortable, with a forest mural, a bold floral carpet, and an artistic pillow gracing the bed. Both the mattress and pillows were exceedingly comfortable. 

The spacious bathroom featured striking blue tile, a separate bathtub, and a walk‑in shower.

Toiletries included Apotheke-brand shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, hand soap, and body lotion. 

This hotel demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability.  For example, there were no single-use liquid toiletries and the airport shuttle bus is electric.  

And in a refreshing change from overpriced plastic water bottles, the room included an empty glass bottle to fill at a complimentary filtered water dispenser near the elevators. 

The only drawback, and a minor one, was an uninspiring view of the rooftop and the neighboring hotel.  

A Late Afternoon Walk in Santry Park After a Week of Sightseeing

After checking in at the Crowne Plaza and getting organized, I changed and headed outside for a walk in Santry Demesne Regional Park.  Although it was tempting to simply collapse into the room, I knew that I would feel immensely better after moving my body.  

About Santry Demesne Regional Park 

Santry Demesne Regional Park is a historic green space set on the grounds of a former 18th‑century estate that once housed Santry Court, the grand seat of the Barry and later Domvile families.  At one time, it was reportedly the largest house in North County Dublin. Though the house fell into ruin and was ultimately demolished in the mid‑20th century, the park’s redesign from 2003 onwards has preserved a strong sense of its past while creating a welcoming modern amenity for the community.

Today, visitors can enjoy a spacious 87-acre park (72 acres (29 hectares) of parkland and a 15-acre (6-hectare) linear park along the Santry River) with multiple amenities: 

a children’s playground, free parking, and an extensive network of paths popular with walkers, joggers, and dog walkers. 

My Walk in Santry Demesne

I took a short 1.4-mile (3.45 km) walk around the park. It took almost an hour and was just what I needed to recover from the last few days of intense activity, as well as the morning’s long bus ride.  

On my outing, I saw what makes Santry Demesne so special.  I passed by the remnants of the old estate and was left wondering what it must have been like in its heyday.  I saw lovely meadows, a tree‑lined avenue, and the walls of the community garden.

On a quiet trail spur, a replica of a stone temple from the Domvile family’s former Templeogue residence sat forlornly by itself, surrounded by trees.  

I was also taken with a historic Corinthian column topped with a stone phoenix rising from ashes, known as the Phoenix Folly. (A “folly” is generally a non-functional building or structure designed for artistic expression rather than practicality.) Dating to around 1747, it was inspired by a monument in Dublin’s large Phoenix Park. 

Other features of the original estate, such as the foundations and steps, proved harder to find.  And there was at least one feature that I couldn’t identify: a short stone column in the center of a circular area made with bricks of the same stone.  I’m still curious what it might have been used for.

Dinner After My Walk in Santry Demesne Park

After the walk, instead of returning to the hotel restaurant, I walked down the block to the Gourmet Food Parlour for a delicious dinner of pan-seared salmon fillet sauteed with baby garlic.  The dish was accompanied by potatoes (of course, I was in Ireland), sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and asparagus, and finished with a tangy lemon butter sauce.  I also added the optional pan-fried garlic shrimp for more protein. The meal was both nourishing and indulgent, and a perfect way to round out the day.

After dinner, I was totally relaxed and ready to retire to my room for the night.

The Leisurely Breakfast That Set the Tone for Travel Day

One of the best features of the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport was the breakfast buffet, which I eagerly anticipated upon awaking the next morning. The buffet was open from 6:30 AM-10:00 AM, allowing for a leisurely meal.  

The buffet offered everything from hot and cold cereals to freshly baked breads and pastries, rich egg dishes, and cooked meats like bacon, sausage, and black pudding, along with cold meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, yogurt, nuts, seeds, and beverages including coffee, tea, and fresh juice. Every taste and preference was catered to, making it a true highlight of the stay. 

Who This Kind of Overnight Layover Works Best For

The luxury of a restful night near an airport might not be an option for every trip, but if you prioritize how you want to feel as you step onto a plane, consider an airport-area stayover with comforting amenities that will recharge you.  

Other people who might enjoy this restful pause at the end of a trip include travelers finishing an active itinerary or slow travelers who naturally schedule in recovery days.

Other people who might enjoy this restful pause at the end of a trip include travelers finishing an active itinerary or slow travelers who naturally schedule in recovery days.

Dublin Airport Hotels: Pin It for Later!

Save these images to your Pinterest Boards for later travel planning. 

Dublin Airport Hotels: Book Now!

This post mentions only a few of the many hotels surrounding the Dublin Airport.  Use the map and links below to research and find a Dublin airport hotel that’s right for you. 

Book now at Booking.com ♦ Book now at Expedia ♦ Book now at Hotels.com

Conclusion: Ending a Trip with Intention

An overnight stopover doesn’t have to be an afterthought to a vacation. With a bit of intention, you can turn it into a reset that enhances your trip. 

My stay near Dublin Airport reminded me how much the final moments of a trip matter. After days of near-constant stimulation, it was definitely the right decision to end this trip not with more sightseeing, but with a quiet walk and the space to reset before moving on.  Choosing a hotel that offered both airport proximity and green space allowed me to slow down, walk without an agenda, and take in Ireland’s lush, green landscape one last time before departing. A quiet room, a good night’s sleep, and a hearty breakfast on departure morning rounded out my stay. In the end, I left feeling restored rather than depleted for the next leg of my journey.