Our first experience of the hotel was poor because as we got out of the car were told we had to pay for parking up front. Thought I must be in the wrong carpark but was told no you have to pay. Next we went inside to check in, our impression of the hotel was one of ammused disbelief as it seemed we were in a time-warp back to the 1970's Faulty Towers style of establishment. This ammusment however lasted about 3 minutes until we made our way up to our room. We had booked a non-smoking room but were put into a smoking room as apperently none were left. Walking along the corridor to the room we were hit by a wave of foul musty smoke. When we ented the room however the smell changed, not now smoke but one of putrid grease. On looking out of the window we soon realised why, below were the extracter fans from the kitchen which contantly filled all the rooms above with foulness. The room was pokey and the decore old and tatty. We jumped on the bed to watch a bit of TV before going down for dinner but alas no remote.

At dinner we were seated quickly and ordered from the limited menu. When the first course arrived of smoke salmon it had obviously been lying around all day as it was dry and brown at the edges. For main was pork in apple source which arrived without the source. Our drinks ordered took 20 minutes, this might be understandable if the resteraunt is busy, but when there is only yourselves and three other couples eating it's very poor.

Back up to the room, and inspected the bathroom. Very basic indeed with two signs:

1. "run the taps for 15 minutes first for hot water".
2. "keep bathroom door closed while showering as this sets off the firealarm"

So not hot water for a while and when we did get it the shower pressure was zero.

In the evening went down to the bar and found an older gentleman complaining to a member of staff that the whole hotel stank of p*** and should be disinfected, the staff member claimed not be able to smell anything unpleasant.

Went down for breakfast in next morning and were confronted by a very large queue winding ouside of the resteraunt. When we finally got our breakfast it was mediocre at best.

On reading the reviews here it seems that my experience is typical. We certainly will not be staying at the royal again. In all seriousness it would have been a nicer stay if we had just slept in the car, but that still would have cost us 5 euro parking.

i recently took a group of 45 people to the royal the rooms were good the food excellent mary the head waitress was excellent the staff were freindly and helpful all in all it was a good place to stay as it is close to ferry terminals and dublin and surrounding area

i live in bray and its not a bad town but the problem with the hotel
staff is all the polish staff they are like robots and dont understand what to relax is and all they care about is getting there wages they should be all sacked and replaced by proper irish people

I have stayed at the Royal in Bray several times over the past few years and have always found it an adequate hotel. However this time I took my wife and 19 month toddler and found the experience totally disheartening! The room we were allocated was an older room on the second floor and thoroughly in need of modernisation- my old student digs were cleaner! The bathroom was small and dingy, and when we ran a bath, the water showed a murky apppearance. On the last day of my stay, I couldn't get the shower to work properly - the water was piping hot and the dial refused to add any cold water. The bedroom was poorly decorated and badly in need of of a good clean. Normally I wouldn't care too much because you dont spend much time in the room, but when you have a toddler running and crawling about the carpet, you notice more things. On the last night, the baby pulled several old and dirty tissues and sweet wrappers from behind the radiator (which itself was hanging off the wall). The baby was also enjoying the fact that he could open the bedroom door at will and escape down the corridor( the lock doesn't keep the door locked from the inside). He also found a pile of old fluff and pubic hair behind the bathroom door - if the hotel has any cleaners then they mustn't be supervised.
Well, why do I stay at the Royal? I do enjoy Bray for its seaside walks and easy Dart ride into Dublin. The car park is good and the staff are friendly ( shame about the Chinese waitress who has problems understanding English).
There are lots of new modern hotels opening around Dublin which give a higher level of comfort and cleanliness so why put up with a dingy and "past its best" hotel .