Dublin hotels

When it comes to choosing a luxury hotel in Dublin, look no further than The Westbury Hotel, a Dublin icon. Located just off Grafton Street in the city’s shopping district, The Westbury has long been the place to be seen in Dublin city.
I loved the excellent tableside martini from the cocktail trolley in the glamorous art deco styled Sidecar bar, which serves up some of the best cocktails in Dublin, before dinner in the highly regarded Wilde restaurant. A Champagne Afternoon Tea in The Gallery is something of an institution – ask for a window table for some prime people-watching opportunities.
The guest rooms are decorated in soothing, restful tones with crisp Irish linens on the pillow top beds, Nespresso machines, and marble bathrooms with underfloor heating. If the budget allows, splurge for a terrace suite with its statement artwork, fully furnished outdoor terrace, and panoramic views over the city’s skyline.

The creation of Stauntons on the Green was a labor of love for its owner, the late Irish-American philanthropist and collector Richard Driehaus, and it shows. Located in a classic Georgian townhouse in the city center, Stauntons has 64 elegant guest rooms of varying sizes, a cozy breakfast room, a stunning town garden, perfect for enjoying an aperitif from the honesty bar or simply as a quiet place to read in the afternoon sun.
Stauntons is also home to a curated collection of Irish and international art that would make a gallery owner swoon, including a sculpture of Eiar, the Goddess of Springtime which takes pride of place in the garden.
There is no restaurant, but an excellent breakfast is served daily and staying at Stauntons means you are mere minutes away from the excellent restaurants in the locale – a personal favorite is Dax, just 6 minutes’ walk away.

On Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock, Anantara The Marker is a landmark building that has become an integral part of the Dublin skyline. With 187 guest rooms, the hotel has every conceivable amenity, including a luxurious spa with infinity pool, a hot tub, sauna, and a gym. Guestrooms are contemporary with marble bathrooms and premium rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows with views overlooking the water and the square below.
The restaurant, Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins (a local celebrity chef), is excellent, serving the best of modern Irish cuisine with a focus on Irish steak and seafood, with an extensive wine list, too. After dinner, The Rooftop Bar and Terrace, is THE place to be seen and an idyllic spot for cocktails, with panoramic views of the mountains and the sea which is mesmerizing after dark.
The proximity to nearby The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre makes it the perfect pit stop for theatregoers.

Number 31 is another unique Dublin hotel, with a vibrant and storied past. Tucked away in a narrow lane in the center of the city, Number 31 is something of a dichotomy, a unique combination of a modernist mews building at the back and an imposing Georgian townhouse to the front.
Don’t skip the sunken “conversation pit,” complete with a fireplace, in the reception area – the perfect place to enjoy a drink from the Honesty Bar before a night on the town. Guest rooms range from classic Georgian in style to the more modernist rooms in the mews building. All are stylishly decorated with quality linens, mod cons, and garden or city views.
Speaking of gardens, Number 31 also boasts a stunning town garden that links the two buildings, ideal for whiling away an afternoon; that is, if you can tear yourself away from the eclectic collection of stunning art.

A five-star urban resort, InterContinental Dublin is a lesson in luxury. On 2 acres of pristine gardens, the ‘InterCon’ as it’s known, is located in the upscale neighborhood of Ballsbridge, minutes from the city center. The hotel has an impressive array of luxurious amenities including an indoor pool, a serene spa, and a fitness suite that would tempt even the most exercise-averse.
During the warmer months, the Garden Terrace is the perfect place for lunch or drinks, and in winter, don’t miss the hot chocolate which is outstanding while whiskey enthusiasts will enjoy The Whiskey Bar with its impressive range of Irish blends. As expected, guest rooms are luxurious with mini bars, coffee machines, marble bathrooms, and the snuggest robes I have ever encountered.
King rooms come with balconies and if money is no object, The James Joyce Suite (who lived nearby) is big enough to set up home in.