Planning a full-day meeting or training session means finding a room that works for your group size, budget, and schedule — and knowing whether a day rate actually saves money compared to hourly bookings. This guide compares day-rate and hourly pricing for conference rooms in Dublin and London, drawing on published rates from Regus, Zipcube, Wezoo, and other platforms, along with industry room-size guidelines. You will find concrete price bands, capacity recommendations, and a clear breakdown of when a full-day booking makes financial sense.
Last checked: 2026-06-30
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Target location for pricing data: Dublin, Ireland (primary) · Lowest published day rate: €149 (Aspect Hotel Parkwest) · Standard business hours day: 09:00-17:00 · Typical room capacity range: 2-50 people depending on layout
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-30.
Sources reviewed: operator/property websites (Regus), neutral booking platforms (Zipcube, Wezoo, Tagvenue, Tally Workspace), industry dimension guides (Coworks, Archie, GetTent), and specialist editorial guides (HotelsPedia UK, W12 Conferences).
We did not conduct on-site visits, staff interviews, or independent verification of real-time availability. All pricing data reflects published rates as of the dates cited.
Snapshot: Conference room day rates at a glance
- Dublin coworking meeting rooms generally range from €38 to €97 per hour depending on location, capacity, and operator (Wezoo).
- Regus Dublin meeting rooms are discounted 30% for a full-day booking (09:00–17:00) compared with the hourly rate (Regus).
- In London, a standard professional meeting room with natural light typically costs £50–£90 per hour (Zipcube).
- Typical London day delegate rates (DDRs) for meeting rooms range from about £50 to £90 per person, usually including the room plus refreshments and lunch (Tagvenue).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Target location for pricing data | Dublin, Ireland (primary); London, UK (comparison) |
| Lowest published day rate (Dublin) | €149 (Aspect Hotel Parkwest) |
| Standard business hours day | 09:00–17:00 |
| Typical room capacity range | 2–50 people depending on layout |
| Recommended sq ft per person | 25–30 sq ft for comfort |
| Conference room for 50 people (minimum size) | Approximately 750–1000 sq ft |
| Day pass with meeting room use (Zipcube) | From €30/day includes 2 hours meeting room |
| Discount for full-day booking (Regus) | 30% off hourly rate for 09:00–17:00 |
How big is a 50 person conference room?
A conference room designed for 50 people requires roughly 750 to 1,000 square feet, depending on the layout. Industry guides from Archie and GetTent recommend 25–30 square feet per person for a comfortable seated setup. A boardroom arrangement (one large table) needs more space per person than a theater-style row setup, which packs attendees more tightly.
For a 50-person room, a theater layout can work in about 750 sq ft, while a classroom or boardroom configuration typically pushes toward the 1,000 sq ft mark. The Zipcube Dublin marketplace lists several rooms in this size range, with day rates from €399 to over €1,000 depending on location and amenities.
The bottom line: If you are planning for 50 attendees, confirm the room’s square footage and layout before booking — a room that works for theater seating may feel cramped for a workshop-style session.
What is the difference between a meeting room and a conference room?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are practical distinctions. Meeting rooms typically hold 2–12 people and are designed for small-team discussions, client calls, or one-on-one sessions. Conference rooms are larger — often accommodating 12–50+ people — and are equipped for presentations, with built-in AV, projectors, and sometimes video-conferencing systems.
In Dublin, coworking spaces like Iconic Offices and The Tara Building offer both types: small meeting rooms from €30–€45 per hour and larger conference rooms from €70–€130 per hour, according to Zipcube. Hotels such as Clayton Burlington Road offer conference rooms as part of day delegate packages (€60–€110 per person including lunch), which bundle the room with catering.
What this means: If your group is under 12 people, a meeting room will likely be more cost-effective. For larger groups or events requiring AV support, a conference room or hotel DDR is the standard choice.
What size conference room for 25 people?
For 25 attendees, plan on roughly 625–750 square feet. A boardroom layout (one large table) needs about 30 sq ft per person, while a classroom setup (rows of tables) requires slightly more. Theater seating can fit 25 people in about 500 sq ft, but that layout limits note-taking and interaction.
In Dublin, the Dublin Chamber’s Committee Room near Merrion Square offers a fixed-fee half-day rate of around €350 for up to 25 people, as noted by Zipcube. In London, a room for 25 people in a mid-range venue might cost £55–£75 per hour, according to Tally Workspace, with full-day rates typically falling in the £600–£1,000 range.
The trade-off: A half-day booking (4 hours) often costs about 20% less than a full day, but if your session runs long, the hourly top-up may erase the saving.
“Many coworking operators treat half-day and full-day conference room rates as bulk-hour discounts — for example, 4-hour or 8-hour blocks — rather than quoting a single unlinked day price.”
Coworks Help Center
Can you rent a hotel room to have a party?
Many hotels allow parties in designated event spaces — conference rooms, ballrooms, or function suites — but not in standard guest rooms. Hotel policies typically restrict guest rooms to overnight accommodation only, with noise and capacity limits. For a celebration, hotels usually require booking a dedicated event space, which may come with a minimum spend or catering requirement.
Day-use hotel rooms, available through platforms like HotelsByDay, can be booked for a few hours during the day and are sometimes used for small gatherings. In Dublin, day-use rooms are listed at prices such as €129 and €237 plus tax and fees. However, these are intended for rest or work, not parties — always check the hotel’s event policy before booking.
The catch: A standard hotel room is rarely suitable for a party due to space, noise, and policy restrictions. If you need a venue for a celebration, book a conference room or function space instead.
Pricing bands: Day rates vs hourly in Dublin and London
Conference room pricing falls into three broad bands in both cities, though the numbers differ significantly between Dublin and London.
Budget band
In Dublin, budget options start at around €25 per hour at Regus and €30 per hour at coworking spaces like The Tara Building (member rate). Full-day rates at this level, after Regus’s 30% discount, can work out to roughly €140 for an 8-hour day. In London, budget meeting rooms start from about £9 per hour for small spaces, with typical budget options around £41 per hour, per Tally Workspace.
Mid-range band
Mid-range Dublin rooms — such as those at Iconic Offices or Sobo Works — cost €45–€80 per hour. Full-day rates on Zipcube for this tier range from €399 to €631. In London, mid-range meeting rooms run £55–£75 per hour, with full-day rates typically £600–£1,000, according to Zipcube.
Premium band
Premium Dublin venues — luxury hotel boardrooms or Georgian spaces like No. 81 Merrion Square — start around €97 per hour and can exceed €150 per hour. Day rates on Zipcube for top-tier Dublin rooms reach €1,042. In London, premium venues such as The Shard or historic City buildings cost £138–£172+ per hour, with full-day rates for 50+ person conferences ranging from £2,600 to £7,500.
| Venue / Provider | Lowest Hourly Rate | Full-Day Rate | Capacity Range | Location (Dublin area) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regus Limerick | €25/hr | ~€140 (after 30% discount) | 2–12 people | Limerick (regional) |
| The Dean Dublin | ~€60/hr | ~€400–€600 | 2–20 people | City centre |
| Aspect Hotel Parkwest | ~€25/hr | €149 | 2–30 people | Parkwest (suburban) |
| Spacesworks Tallaght | €25/hr | ~€175 | 2–12 people | Tallaght (suburban) |
| Zipcube Dublin (various) | €30–€150+/hr | €399–€1,042 | 2–50+ people | City-wide |
Best for segments: Which option suits your needs?
Budget-conscious bookers
If cost is the primary concern, Regus Dublin offers the lowest entry point at €25 per hour, with a full-day rate of roughly €140 after the 30% discount. Coworking spaces like Sobo Works (from €38/hr) also fit this segment. In London, budget options from £9/hr at small venues or £41/hr at Tally Workspace’s budget tier work for short meetings.
Small teams (2–6 people)
Small teams benefit from meeting rooms rather than full conference rooms. The Tara Building in Dublin offers member rates from €30/hr, while Zipcube lists small rooms from €30/hr at creative hubs. In London, small rooms start around £20/hr at Tagvenue-listed venues.
Corporate full-day events
For full-day training, workshops, or offsites, hotel day delegate rates are often the most convenient option. In Dublin, Clayton Burlington Road charges €60–€110 per person including lunch. In London, DDRs average £65 per person, per HotelsPedia UK, with premium venues reaching £130–£200 per person.
Flexible hourly users
Freelancers or small teams needing occasional space benefit from coworking memberships that include meeting room credits. Zipcube’s day pass (from €30/day) includes 2 hours of meeting room use, while Regus’s hourly model allows booking without a long-term commitment.
Our pick: Best approach for renting a conference room for a day
For most readers — small business owners, corporate event planners, and freelancers — the smartest strategy is to start with Regus or a Zipcube-listed coworking space in Dublin, or Tagvenue or Zipcube in London. These platforms offer transparent hourly and day rates, and the full-day discount (typically 20–30%) makes financial sense for any booking over 6 hours.
If you need catering and AV support, a hotel day delegate rate is the simplest package. In Dublin, expect €60–€110 per person; in London, £50–£90 per person is typical. For groups of 25–50, confirm the room’s square footage (625–1,000 sq ft) and layout before booking.
Our recommendation: Compare the full-day rate against 8x the hourly rate. If the day rate is less than 70% of the hourly total, it is a good deal. Regus’s 30% discount meets this threshold; many independent venues do not, so always do the math.
Related reading: Business Hotel Meetings: Compare Irish Conference Venues
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a hotel room for a few hours?
Yes — day-use hotel rooms are available through platforms like HotelsByDay. In Dublin, day-use rooms are listed at prices such as €129 and €237 plus tax and fees. These are intended for rest, work, or small gatherings, not parties. Always check the hotel’s policy before booking.
How do I book a meeting room in an office?
You can book through coworking platforms (Zipcube, Wezoo), directly with providers (Regus, Iconic Offices), or via hotel event teams. Most allow online booking with instant confirmation. Regus Dublin, for example, lets you book by the hour, half-day, or full-day with automatic discounts.
How many people can fit in a 20×20 room?
A 20×20 ft room (400 sq ft) typically accommodates up to 12 people in a boardroom layout, or up to 20 in theater seating. For comfort, aim for 25–30 sq ft per person.
Can a conference be one day?
Yes — one-day conferences are common. Many venues offer day delegate rates that include the room, lunch, and refreshments for a single day. In Dublin, hotel DDRs range from €60–€110 per person; in London, £50–£90 per person is typical.
Is it cheaper to rent a conference room by the day or by the hour?
For 6+ hours, a day rate is almost always cheaper. Regus applies a 30% discount for full-day bookings (09:00–17:00) compared with the hourly rate. Coworks-affiliated spaces treat full-day as 8 hours of hourly bookings, effectively a bulk discount. For shorter sessions (under 4 hours), hourly booking is more cost-effective.
How big is a 12 person conference room?
A room for 12 people in a boardroom layout typically needs about 300–400 sq ft (e.g., 20×20 ft). This allows for a central table and comfortable seating. Smaller rooms (200–250 sq ft) can work for 12 in a theater setup.