Dublin Suburban Guesthouses

Like Dublin city guesthouses, suburban guesthouses are the next best thing to hotels but on a smaller scale. They usually occupy vintage townhouses in excellent neighborhoods on good public transport lines. Here is a sampling from both the north and south side of Dublin.

Dublin Price Key B&B per person per night € - under 75 €€ - 75 to 100 €€€ - 100 to 150 €€€€ - 150 to 200 €€€€€ - over 200

Anglesea Town House, 63 Anglesea Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. 01-668-3877; fax 01-668-3461. Set on a quiet residential street near the American Embassy, this Edwardian-style 4-star guesthouse dates back to 1903. Hostess Helen Kirrane, who runs the house with her family, has won many awards for her appealing breakfasts of homemade treats. The 7 guestrooms are decorated with a homey flair including family heirlooms, rocking chairs, settees, and lots of flowering plants. Closed: 22 December - 6 January. €€   

Ariel House, 52 Lansdowne Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. 01-668-5512; fax 01-668-5845; e-mail reservations@ariel-house.net. Located opposite the Berkeley Court Hotel in a leafy residential street, this handsome red brick Victorian mansion (circa. 1850) has long been a Dublin mainstay. Transformed into a 4-star guesthouse over 40 years ago, this reliable lodging has doubled and quadrupled in size and quality over the years. Now with 40 rooms, it offers modern comforts amid a décor of period pieces, antiques, and original oil paintings and watercolors. It is located just a block from the Lansdowne Road station of the DART. Closed: 23-27 December. € to €€   Web site: www.ariel-house.net

Glenogra House, 64 Merrion Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. 01-668-3661; fax 01-668-3698; e-mail info@glenogra.com. With an appealing redbrick façade, this 4-star Edwardian-style guesthouse is well located - opposite the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds and the Four Seasons Hotel, and just a two block walk from the Sandymount DART Station (for easy travel into the city centre). All 12 guestrooms are non-smoking and there is private car parking for guests in the front courtyard. Closed: 20-31 December. €€   Web site:  www.glenogra.com

King Sitric, East Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin; tel. 01-832-5235; fax 01-839-2442; e-mail info@kingsitric.ie. For over 30 years, Aidan and Joan MacManus have built up a huge following as proprietors of the highly acclaimed King Sitric restaurant, and now they have expanded into accommodation by adding 8 luxury guestrooms, each named after an Irish lighthouse, and with a nautical décor and large windows overlooking Dublin Bay at Howth harbour. Step outside and enjoy walks beside the sea or in the charming fishing village of Howth or climb up to Howth Head for panoramic views. The DART station is three blocks away and the ride to the city centre is just 30 minutes. Best of all, you can't get any closer to the award-winning King Sitric restaurant. Closed: 24-28 December. € to €€  Web site:  www.kingsitric.ie

Merrion Hall, 54-56 Merrion Rd., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. 01-668-1426; fax 01-668-4280; e-mail merrionhall@iol.ie. Situated opposite the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds and the Four Seasons Hotel, this 4-star guesthouse is a large 30 room lodging including five air-conditioned rooms and two suites with Jacuzzi baths. Guest facilities include a drawing room (where afternoon tea or drinks are served) and a library. Outside there is a private car park and gardens. It is a one-block walk from the DART station (for easy travel into the city centre). € to €€   Web site: www.halpinsprivatehotels.com