Dublin City Centre Hotels - Traveling Around Ireland with Patricia Tunison Preston

Spoiled for choice! Zeroing in on "favorites" in Dublin's City centre is a real challenge. I have tried to provide a broad selection — from luxurious 5-star properties to good-value inns, charming townhouses, and no-frills budget places. This is not meant to be a total list — just a sampling to give you a feel for what Dublin has to offer.

Dublin Price Key
B&B per person
per night

€ - under 75

€€ - 75 to 100

€€€ - 100 to 150

€€€€ - 150 to 200

€€€€€ - over 200

Brooks Hotel, 59-62 Drury St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-670-4000; fax 01-670-4455; e-mail: reservations@brookshotel.ie. Tucked away on a side street but just two blocks from Grafton Street, this 7-story 4-star hotel offers 98 air-conditioned rooms with traditional furnishings and every modern amenity. With an appealing brick frontage and mansard-style roof, it is the first big city venture of the Galway-based Charlie Sinnott Group. Facilities include a resident's drawing room/lounge and contemporary restaurant and bar. The decor throughout blends bright fabric colors with traditional hardwood floors and pine furnishings. Even though it sits in the midst of a busy commercial area (opposite a public parking garage), the double-glazed windows keep out the street noises. Best of all, the staff exude genuine Connemara friendliness, giving Brooks a very cozy atmosphere. €€ to €€€

Web site: www.sinnotthotels.com

Camden Court Hotel, Camden St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-475-9666; fax 01-475-9677; e-mail: sales@camdencourthotel.com. One of Dublin's larger new hotels (246 rooms), the six-story Camden Court has fast become a favorite with groups, tours, and visitors seeking a 3-star city center hotel at an economical rate. It sits on an historic spot — next to the Bleeding Horse Pub dating back to 1710, within a 10-minute walk of St. Stephen's Green and 20 minutes from Grafton St. The surrounding commercial neighborhood is not glamorous but it is surrounded by many 19th century Georgian buildings and local merchant shops as well as offices and the hotel's yellow-brick exterior harmoniously blends in with the streetscape. Facilities include a restaurant, pub, shop, underground car park, and leisure center with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, solarium, sunbed, and gym. Closed: 22-29 December. € to €€

Web site: www.camdencourthotel.com

Cassidy's Hotel, Cavendish Row, Upr. O'Connell St., Dublin 1; tel. 01-878-0555; fax 01-878-0687;e-mail: stay@cassidyshotel.com. If you enjoy a literary or theatrical ambiance, this 158-room 3-star hotel is ideal - situated opposite the Gate Theatre, and within easy walking distance of the Writers Museum, James Joyce Centre, and the Abbey. It is a standout on the north side of the city — created from three existing brick-fronted Georgian townhouse buildings, with a décor that is rich in character and atmosphere, and prices that are reasonable for such a high level of hotel standards. Facilities include a restaurant, old world bar, and parking for guests. Closed: 24-26 December. € to €€

Web site: www.cassidyshotel.com

Clarence Hotel, 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2; tel. 01-407-0800; fax 01-407-0820; e-mail: reservations@theclarence.ie. Pop music stars from all over the world make this hotel their Dublin headquarters overlooking the River Liffey in Temple Bar. Built in 1852 in the Regency style and re-opened as a boutique hotel in 1996, it is partly owned by members of the rock group U2. The 50 bedrooms are decorated in rich primary colors with specially commissioned Shaker-style furniture. Celebs often gather in the octagon-shaped bar, marble-and-mosaic restaurant, or the posh public areas where Bono and The Edge often mix with guests. It's a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World. Closed: 24-27. December. €€€€

Web site: www.theclarence.ie

Fitzwilliam Hotel, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; tel. 01-478-7000; 01-478-7878; e-mail: enq@fitzwilliamhotel.com. For an experience of Dublin's most modern side, check-in to this five-story hotel, just a half-block from Grafton Street. Futuristic décor is the theme, with floor-to-ceiling windows dominating the lobby area along with starkly modern fixtures and unobstructed views of St. Stephen's Green. The 130 guest rooms also have tailor-made furnishings and fixtures (designed by the British Conran group). Public areas include a roof garden, lounge, a mezzanine level café, and the highly acclaimed and Michelin-starred Thornton's Restaurant. There is also free car parking for guests. €€€ to €€€€€

Web site: www.fitzwilliamhotel.com

Gresham Hotel, 23 Upr. O'Connell St., Dublin 1; tel. 01-874-6881; fax 01-878-7175; e-mail: info@thegresham.com. Dating back to 1817, the 288-room 4-star Gresham is one of Ireland's oldest and best known hotels, with a traditional Regency-style décor. Although it is no longer "the place" to stay in Dublin, it still a good choice if you want to be on the North side, thanks to a recent refurbishment and expansion (adding over 100 new air-conditioned rooms). Guests enjoy use of a fitness center, business center, and a multi-story car park (extra fee). €€€ to €€€€

Web site: www.gresham-hotels.com

Harding Hotel, Copper Alley, Fishamble St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-679-6500;
01-679-6504; e-mail: info@hardinghotel.ie . For travelers on a budget, this 53-room 2-star Edwardian-style hotel is a good choice. Located just off Dame Street, opposite Christ Church Cathedral and on the west edge of Temple Bar, it offers compact and comfortable rooms with all modern amenities at hard-to-beat prices for Dublin. Facilities include a Viking-themed bar and restaurant. A unique feature of the hotel is an authentic medieval laneway incorporated into the public area layout. Closed: 23-26 December. € to €€

Jurys Christchurch Inn, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8; tel. 01-454-0000; e-mail: jurysinnschristchurch@jurysinns.com . Situated opposite Christ Church Cathedral, this 3-star 182-room hotel is a real find for cost-conscious travelers. It offers quality hotel lodgings at guesthouse prices or lower, depending on how many people share a room. The room price remains the same whether one, two or three adults (or two adults and two children) occupy the room.Closed: 24-26 December: € to €€

Jurys Custom House Inn, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1; tel. 01-607-5000; e-mail: jurysinnscustomhouse@jurysinns.com . Located on the north side of the city, it is positioned next to the Financial Services Centre on the River Liffey, with great waterside views from its 234 rooms, although quite a hike to O'Connell Street for the average traveler. Closed: 24-26 December. € to €€

Jurys Inn Parnell Street, Moore St. Plaza, Parnell St., Dublin 1; tel. 01-878-4900; e-mail: Jurysinnsparnellstreet@jurysinns.com . In September 2004, a third Jurys Inn in Dublin opened on the city's north side facing Parnell Square, just off O'Connell St. With a strikingly modern five-story glassy exterior, it is the largest of Jurys Inns in Dublin, built around a central courtyard setting. It has 253 air-conditioned rooms plus a restaurant, bar and coffee bar. The public areas' decor is bright, airy, and modern, with lots of windows, although the guest rooms tend to be compact. Rates, as with all other Jurys Inns, are per room which can be unbeatable for three or more adults or families staying together. Closed: 24-26 December. € to €€

Mercer Hotel, Mercer St. Lower, Dublin 2; tel. 01-478-2179; fax 01-478-0328; e-mail: stay@mercerhotel.ie. For those who eschew big city center hotels, here is a purpose-built 3-star gem in a great location, just a block from Grafton Street and tucked next to the rear entrance of the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and beside the Royal College of Surgeons. Not surprisingly, it is a popular choice for members of the medical profession. Exuding the atmosphere of a private club, it has 41 bedrooms, all fully air-conditioned. Facilities include a small but trendy restaurant, Cusacks, named after a crusading nun who once lived on this spot, a cozy lounge, and complimentary enclosed car parking. Closed: 22-29. December. € to €€€ Web site: www.mercerhotel.ie

Merrion Hotel, 21-24 Upr. Merrion St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-603-0600; fax 01-603-0700; e-mail: info@merrionhotel.com. Comprised of four 18th century townhouses (one of the buildings, Mornington House - #24, was the birthplace of the Duke of Wellington), this elegant 5-star hotel is located opposite the Irish Government buildings, just off Merrion Square. The public areas are stunning, with richly detailed Rococo plasterwork, original marble fireplaces, French chandeliers, Belgian tapestries, and Irish antiques and paintings. The 145 air-conditioned guest rooms (31 in the original buildings and 114 in a new four-story L-shaped wing), surround an interior courtyard enhanced by 18th century gardens, giving a country freshness to this mid-city hotel. Facilities include a restaurant, two bars, and a health and fitness centre, with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. One of Dublin's most revered restaurants, the Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud's, is also housed here. A member of Leading Hotels of the World. €€€€ to €€€€€ Web site: www.merrionhotel.com

Mont Clare Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin 2; tel 01-607-3800; fax 01-661-5663; e-mail: info@ocallaghanhotels.com . Overlooking the northwest corner of Merrion Square, one of Dublin’s most fashionable Georgian squares, the Mont Clare is a vintage six-story brick-faced hotel with traditional furnishings of dark woods and polished brass. It sits in the heart of the main shopping district and is just a few steps from Trinity College, National Museum, National Gallery, and other Dublin must-do places. A member of the O’Callaghan Group of hotels, the Mont Clare combines a Georgian décor and ambiance with every up-to-date facility in its 74 (rather small) rooms, yet at relatively moderate prices. Public areas include the Goldsmith Restaurant, named after one of Ireland’s literary stars, and the No. 1 Merrion Square Bar, a favorite meeting place for Dubliners. Closed: 24-26 December. € to €€ Web site: www.ocallaghanhotels.com

Morgan Hotel, 10 Fleet St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-679-3939; fax 01-679-3946; e-mail: sales@themorgan.com. It's not a typical Irish hotel, but the Morgan has its own niche. Step outside the door of this 66-room boutique hotel and you are in the midst of Temple Bar, Dublin's trendy artisan and cultural corner. And the Morgan fits into Temple Bar like a glove, with a stylish contemporary decor of light beechwood furnishings, bright primary colors, natural fabrics, sleek lighting fixtures and compact accessories. No frills, but all the essentials are here. An enclosed parking garage is across the street. Closed: 24-26 December. €€ to €€€€ Web site: www.themorgan.com

Park Inn Dublin, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7; tel. 01-817-3838; 01-817-3839; e-mail: info.Dublin@RezidorParkInn.com . Originally known as Chief O'Neill's Hotel but now a part of the Rezidor Park Inn group, this stunningly modern 73-room hotel is situated in a slightly out-of-the-way but very up-and-coming location on the city's north side. The guest rooms are a true adventure in spartan design — minimalist fixtures (the sinks are a conversation piece!), plexi-glass artwork, track lighting, chrome and cubic appliances, glass shelving, sleek mini-blinds, and bold solid colors. Facilities include a bi-level café bar that often features live music. The hotel is adjacent to the Old Jameson Distillery, the Chimney observation tower, and a short walk from Arran Quay. Closed: 24-26 December. € to €€

Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 (tel. 01-898-2900), email: info.royal.dublin@radissonsas.com. With a glassy exterior, this new seven-story hotel adds contemporary high-rise dazzle to an otherwise ordinary low-rise streetscape in the residential/commercial section of the city near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Step inside to be equally dazzled by floor-to-ceiling glass windows in public areas, with a multitude of mirrors, crystal fronds, gold-flecked marble columns and an overall emphasis on natural lighting. The 150 air-conditioned guest rooms have every up-to-date amenity including air conditioning, wireless internet, flat panel TV, mini-bar, and safe. Top floor executive suites have a private balcony and access to a rooftop terrace. Public areas include Verres en Vers brasserie restaurant, Sure lounge, and an adjacent car parking garage. Although it is located in an off-the-beaten-path neighborhood, this hotel is only two blocks south Dublin Castle or three blocks west of St. Stephen’s Green. It has already caught on as the new “in” place for business meetings and group gatherings. Individual travelers can get a good deal by booking months ahead online – lowest rates Sun.-Thurs. €€ to €€€€. Web site: www.royal.dublin.radissonsas.com

Shelbourne Hotel, 27 St. Stephen's Green N., Dublin 2; tel. 01-663-4500; fax 01-661-6006; e-mail: annemarie.whelan@renaissancehotels.com. Dating back to 1824 and one of Dublin's lodging landmarks, the 5-star Shelbourne is undoubtedly Dublin's best-known hotel. Consistently enlarged and refurbished over the years, it has recently joined the Marriott group under the Renaissance brand, launched into a two-year renovation, and re-opened in March, 2007, after a major 90 million euro overhaul. The hotel offers up-to-date amenities in 190 posh rooms of varying size and design, and impressive public areas including the new Saddle Room Restaurant and Oyster Bar, No. 27 Bar & Lounge, the Lord Mayor's Lounge (a favorite for afternoon tea) and the Horseshoe Bar (popular gathering spot for Dubliners), which dazzles with its printed silk walls and leather couches. If you tire of sitting in one of the grand high-ceilinged Georgian rooms or looking out onto St. Stephen's Green, you can enjoy the in-house leisure centre with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and gym. Staying at this historic hotel is being in the lap of luxury. €€€€ to €€€€€ Web Site: www.marriott.com/dubbr

Trinity Capital Hotel, Pearse St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-648-1000;fax 01-648-1010; e-mail: info@trinitycapitalhotel.com. Facing the northeast corner of Trinity College, Dublin's 4-story Trinity Capital Hotel is a little funky but very convenient — a former fire house turned into a 3-star hotel, at the corner of Tara St. and a few steps from the DART Station. The 86 guest rooms, many of which overlook busy Pearse Street, include a sprinkling of old fire station art. Facilities include a wine/coffee bar, restaurant, and the main attraction — the Fireworks Bar, spanning 3 floors and exuding the atmosphere of a fire station, with iron-clad galleries, brick walls, and fire equipment memorabilia. Closed: 24-26 December. €€ to €€€

Web site: www.capital-hotels.com

Westbury Hotel, Grafton St., Dublin 2; tel. 01-679-1122; fax 01-679-7078; e-mail: westbury@jurysdoyle.com. Location, location, location — the Westbury takes the prize, sitting just off Grafton Street in the heart of the city, within walking distance of all major attractions and hundreds of shops. Built in the traditional style, this 204-room 5-star gem provides every modern comfort in an elegant air-conditioned setting. Public areas include a stunning lobby (a favorite for afternoon tea), plus a classic French restaurant, contemporary bistro, two bars, and underground car parking (free for guests). Best of all, the gracious staff aim to please with a "can do" attitude. It may cost more than some other hotels - but it's worth it. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World. €€€€ to €€€€€

Web site: www.jurysdoyle.com

Westin Dublin Hotel, College Green, Dublin 2; tel. 01-645-1000; fax 01-645-1234; email: Reservations.Dublin@westin.com. This five-star luxury hotel is Starwood/Westin's first venture in Ireland, occupying the site of a block-long complex of landmark bank and insurance buildings, situated opposite the front entrance to Trinity College, and two blocks from Grafton St. The façades of the early-19th century buildings have been retained and fully restored to blend in with the new structure. Some original interior space has also been preserved and melded into the new hotel including an elaborate barrel-vaulted banking hall and a former banking counter which is now a bar. The 163 air-conditioned guestrooms (13 are suites) are configured to conform to the original buildings, resulting in 93 different room sizes and types (only 14 are identical), but they are outfitted with every modern comfort including the chain's "heavenly" beds and high-speed internet access. Focal points of the public areas include a six-story courtyard-style atrium that serves as a lounge and the Exchange Restaurant (formerly the ground floor of the former Pearl Insurance Building). €€€ to €€€€€ Web site: www.westin.com/dublin

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