Another small Dublin business has been forced to close due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
The much loved Georgian Rooms in Howth - a charming guesthouse a stone's throw from the harbour that won rave reviews on Tripadvisor - made the sad announcement on its Facebook page last night.
They posted: "It is with a heavy heart that The Georgian Rooms Howth has decided to close their doors as an ApartHotel guesthouse for the foreseeable future.
"We would like to thank our guests, friends, business providers and the Howth Community for their support over the past year.
"Take Care and Stay Safe."
General manager Hilary Copeland told Dublin Live the decision had been a tough one to make, for the hotel's owners, but the ongoing restrictions - and uncertainty surrounding what measures are going to be put in place next - had been the final straw.
She said: It's just so disappointing, to have put all the effort and the hard work in.
"It's a very sad day, two members of my staff are gone, myself included, and it's a loss to the community as well because there's very little accommodation in Howth and people were delighted when we came in because we facilitated a lot of locals there as well."
Hilary said that the current restrictions, the costly new cleaning regime that had to be put in place to protect staff and guests - and the ever-changing Green List - meant the business became too difficult and expensive to keep going.
"It was business decision that was made out of my hands," she explained.
"We obviously closed the doors in March when everyone went into lockdown, and we didn’t know if we’d be able to open again, but I managed to convince the owners to reopen and after some arm twisting we did.
"So then we pushed and pushed and pushed for the stay-cations and we finally got a bit of a lift off with that and then the restrictions happened in Dublin, the stay-cations that we had planned had to be cancelled, and then the Green List became smaller and smaller."
The final straw came yesterday when NPHET announced that they had advised the Government to move to Level 5 and back into lockdown.
Hilary continued: "It just became too hard - every time we’d take step forward, we’d have to take 20 steps back. I think the risk going forward, with the current restrictions and the threat of Level 5 coming, the owners couldn’t take the risk anymore."
However, the optimistic hotelier said that she hopes they might be able to reopen next year if the situation surrounding the pandemic improves.
She added: "We would hope in June 2021 that we would have another stab at it - if they discover a vaccine, and tourism starts back again, flights are coming back in and we're not worried about Green Lists and restrictions and everything else."
Former guests and wellwishers were quick to send messages of support - and to say they hope the historic hotel which dates back to the mid 1700s can reopen again soon.
One wrote: "So very sorry to hear this. Had a wonderful stay with you earlier this year. Hope this is temporary."
Another echoed those kind sentiments, adding: "So sorry to hear that. It's a beautiful guest house. Hopefully I get to visit again some day."
The Georgian Rooms earned its five star status on Tripadvisor thanks to its warm welcome, excellent food and fast, and free wifi.
One guest wrote on the leading travel review site: "Five star experience.
"With my work I normally travel throughout Europe, staying in hotels about 100 nights per year.
"The beds, rooms and bathrooms are definitely of a very high quality. I stayed recently with my kids and we were all very impressed.
"The check-in method is very easy with codes sent by email to enter and collect your key fob with no need to meet anyone.
"The manager Hilary was very accommodating when I called to make a change to my booking (my fault).
"Since my holiday with the kids I have been back again and will definitely be staying at Georgian Rooms in the future."
Another five-star Tripadvisor review stated: "This is a must if you are visiting Dublin.
It continued: "Howth is a beautiful fishing village with lots of old world charm Super restaurants Pubs and spectacular walks and climbing.
"Golf course near by too direct train line into Dublin City and beyond. The Georgian Rooms are really lovely and right in the centre of beautiful Howth.
"Do not miss out on this little Gem."
A third five-star rating included this recommendation: "The Georgian Rooms is situated just off the main street in howth with a beautiful view of the sea and the island Irelands Eye.
"We were greeted by Daniel who made us feel right at home and showed us to our room. From the get go you can tell the place is kept to the highest standard of clean and has many hand sanitising stations dotted around the premises.
"The rooms themselves are beautifully decorated and just the right mix of hotel/home feel, even upon entering the beautiful decor of even the hall; stairs and doors makes you feel instantly at home.
"Daniel was great in recommending things for us to do during the day, helping us to book activities and suggesting a variety of places to eat from casual to a more fine dining experience, you literally do not need to leave Howth there is everything you could want a stones throw away.
"We will definitely be back to The Georgian Rooms Howth, and I've already recommended it to everyone I've seen since arriving home this afternoon!"
Let's hope they''re back on their feet soon and come June 2021, we'll be reading more raving reviews about Howth's "little gem" on Tripadvisor.
