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January 4, 2007updated Dec 20, 2023

The 10 Best Hotels in Dublin

By Zahra Al-Kateb

Whether a sumptuous bed, a spectacular view or service beyond compare – choose from our stunning selection

THE K CLUB

THE K CLUB

The Kildare Hotel, Spa & Country Club, affectionately known as The K Club, is Ireland’s AA Hotel of the Year 2011 and Ireland’s Leading Golf Resort.

The exquisite K Club, built in 1832, is located in the heart of the idyllic Irish countryside and blends the appeal and elegance of a French château with Ireland’s finest gracious beauty and character. Located just 30 minutes from Dublin city center and Dublin International Airport, The K Club is nestled in 550 acres of stunning landscape, as well as being home to two championship golf courses—The Palmer Ryder Cup Course and The Smurfit Course. The K Club knows exactly how to make a guest feel special and at home. Attention to detail, consistent levels of service and added value packages for both business and leisure breaks have become synonymous with this magnificent resort.

Leisure Facilities

Why we love it: Spa, golf and leisure

The K Club is home to two championship golf courses—The Palmer Ryder Cup Course, venue for the 2006 Ryder Cup, hailed among Europe’s greatest courses, and The Smurfit Course, host to the European Open from 1995 to 2007, a challenging Links inspired course. The Resort Spa, K Spa offers a wide variety of treatments for both men and women including the traditionally Irish Voya seaweed baths. The K Spa is an oasis of calm and the minimalist and contemporary décor sets the scene for pure indulgence and mind and body relaxation. The K Spa also features a secluded outdoor hot tub and herb garden, seven luxurious treatment rooms, two private suites and a hammam, hydro bath, Vichy shower and exotic rasul chamber and it even has its own juice bar for the health conscious.

Culture enthusiasts can enjoy regular art talks and tours of The K Club’s extensive private art and antiques collection. Wine cellar tours are also available with the resident sommelier Lisa O’Doherty. The K Club is home to many important Irish works and even has a room dedicated to the Irish Expressionist painter, J. B. Yeats. The Yeats Room features many of Yeats’s important paintings and is a riot of color and texture.

THE SHELBOURNE

The Shelbourne Heritage Lounge

The grande dame of Dublin luxury, the AA five-star Shelbourne has quite rightly won worldwide renown.

Built in 1824, this national treasure has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and now looks better than ever, with striking contemporary art sitting happily beside roaring open fires and Waterford chandeliers. Located on St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin’s most glorious garden square, the hotel is just a short walk from Trinity College, Grafton Street shopping and the 22 acres of the green itself. The Shelbourne’s famous Horseshoe Bar won Licensing World’s Best European Bar 2010 and is the perfect place to sip a cocktail or a pint of the local favorite, Guinness. With its 13 banqueting and meeting suites and an unrivalled event planning service, the Shelbourne is ideal for a business engagement or celebration. Guests can indulge in tender steak at the Saddle Room Restaurant, fresh oysters at the stylish Oyster Bar or afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge, proud in the knowledge they are treading hallowed ground.

TOP SUITE PRINCESS GRACE SUITE

Princess Grace Suite

Why we love it: Hollywood legend Grace Kelly found in the Shelbourne a home away from home and her favorite suite now bears her name. The Princess Grace Suite is the last word in elegance and extravagance, with two bedrooms, Egyptian cotton bedding, plush furnishings, a large separate dining area and a marble bathroom. The style is grand and traditional with soft autumnal colors and rich wood features, and the views of St. Stephen’s Green are magnificent. The suite includes an LCD flatscreen TV, multi-line telephone, high speed internet and luxury amenities. Guests can also take advantage of a complimentary shoeshine service, barber service, 24-hour concierge, and an exclusive genealogy butler for those who wish to trace their Irish ancestry.

  • Square footage: 1,530
  • Nightly rate: $3,500

Paul Marlow, General Manager

+353 1 663 4500

27 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

www.marriott.co.uk

THE DYLAN

The dylan

Dylan, the ultimate in style and luxury, in Ireland’s most dynamic and sophisticated city.

An evening arrival at the gates of Dylan is a stirring experience. Antique iron lamps cast curious magical designs across the Victorian façade of this boutique Dublin Ireland five-star hotel. Inside, candles, champagne, and a subtle sense of warmth evoke the city’s alluring artistic and literary character. Stroll over the Grand Canal along the historic Baggot Street and explore the center haven of St. Stephen’s Green and the world renowned Grafton Street. Peruse the upscale shops or enjoy the diverse street entertainment. Return to the restful comfort of your guest room or suite. Dine amid the cool energy of Dylan Restaurant. Take pleasure in this intimate five-star Dublin hotel, entirely enthralling with a playful atmosphere of decadent elegance.

Dublin’s landmark in style and luxury, Dylan is home to 44 sumptuous guestrooms and suites. Plentiful modern amenities include air conditioning, plasma screens, CD player, iPod docking station, laptop compatible safe, minibar, snacks and Wi-Fi access. Guests are also spoiled with the finest percale cotton linens, plush towels, plush robes and exclusively designed ‘7th Heaven’ beds. All guestrooms are unique and individually designed, serving to epitomize the luxury, decadence and style which comprise the incomparable Dylan Experience.

The award winning Dylan Bar has a much talked about energy and buzz. Overlooked by the brilliantly designed informal Dylan Restaurant, Dylan Bar is the perfect place to chill out, wind down, meet friends and soak in the atmosphere. For a stylish city center oasis, step on to the Dylan Terraces with its comfortable seating, outdoor heating, full coverage canopy and two plasma screens for watching the match or catching up with the news. Cocktails, wines, sumptuous food to indulge in, with the same quality ingredients and professionalism found in the bar and restaurant going into the in-room dining menu, the decision to dine in the comfortable surroundings of your room or in the magnetic vibe of Dylan Restaurant may be the most difficult choice you need to make during your whole stay.

Gráinne Murphy, Director of Sales

+353 1 660 3000

Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4

www.dylan.ie

THE MERRION

The Merrion lobb y

One of Ireland’s most luxurious hotels, The Merrion occupies a Grade I listed building in the city center.

Created from four Georgian townhouses, the 142 bedrooms and suites are arranged around two 18th century landscaped gardens, and the well restored interiors provide the perfect backdrop for one of Ireland’s most impressive private art collections. There is a world-class Tethra Spa and a choice of two restaurants— the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Ireland, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, and The Cellar Restaurant and Bar. Guests can sip champagne in the intimate cocktail bar, No. 23, take afternoon tea in the gracious drawing rooms and in the summer enjoy al fresco dining on the garden terrace. The Leading Hotels of the World has recognized The Merrion with the prestigious Commitment to Quality Award.

TOP SUITE PENTHOUSE

Penthouse

Why we love it: The suite is split across two floors with a separate 1,000-square-foot rooftop terrace complete with hot tub. On the ground level of the penthouse are the two main bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and views of the hotel gardens, and the master bedroom also includes a large en-suite dressing area. A staircase leads to the top floor, where guests can enjoy the spacious open-plan living room with its stone fireplace and state of the art entertainment system. The dining area offers spectacular views over Dublin, and a further room off the main living area can be used as a study, private meeting room, gymnasium or as accommodation for security personnel if required. Guests have exclusive access to The Merrion Penthouse via a private lift.

  • Square footage: 2,200
  • Nightly rate: $4,000

Peter MacCann, General Manager

+353 1 603 0600

Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2

www.merrionhotel.com

THE MORRISON

Halo Restaurant at Penthouse the Morrison

Irish fashion guru John Rocha has based The Morrison’s décor on a subtle ‘East meets West’ motif, and the results are stunning.

White walls, contemporary art, stone floors and handmade Irish carpets create simple, chic interiors that have made the Morrison one of the coolest hotels in town. The atmosphere is calming and unstuffy, and the central location by the River Liffey is perfect for shopping, sight seeing and bar-hopping. Halo, the hotel’s nouvelle Irish restaurant, offers delicious, inventive dishes, and the lively cocktail bar is a favorite haunt for Dublin’s in-crowd.

TOP SUITE PENTHOUSE

Penthouse

Why we love it: The Penthouse showcases Rocha’s design at its finest. In the open-plan living room, tasteful dark woods and cream walls are complemented by vivid acid-washed velvet throws and cushions. The master bedroom has a king-size bed and a second adjoining bedroom is available for guests who need to extend the suite. The limestone-floored bathroom includes a huge Jacuzzi with a frosted glass wall overlooking the master bedroom, a double sink, a walk-in shower and a separate seating area. The dining area seats eight guests and the full-size honesty bar is well stocked. Guests can enjoy a flatscreen TV with a multi-region DVD player, and the wrap-around balcony offers panoramic views of Dublin. Secluded and luxurious, the Morrison Penthouse is a popular choice for visiting celebrities.

  • Square footage: 1,075
  • Nightly rate: $1,100

Sandra Doyle, General Manager

+353 1 887 2400

Ormond Quay, Dublin 1

www.morrisonhotel.ie

THE CLARENCE

The Octagon Bar at the Clarence

Bono and the Edge bought the Clarence in 1992 and with a major redesign, transformed their old hangout from a forgettable two-star into a worldranking five-star.

A triumphant symbol of the Celtic Tiger years, the Clarence is now one of the most fashionable hotels in Dublin and attracts a host of glamorous jetsetters from rock stars to supermodels. Londonbased designer Keith Hobbs has given the interiors an inviting, arts and craft feel, with American white oak panels, Italian limestone floors and tall bronze-framed windows lending a fresh, unpretentious elegance. What was once the ballroom is now the acclaimed Tea Room restaurant, with a soaring coved ceiling, charming service and probably the best Irish breakfast in Dublin. With U2’s stamp of approval, the hotel’s Octagon Bar has become a hot place to be seen, and the cocktails are dreamy.

TOP SUITE PENTHOUSE

Penthouse

Why we love it: During refurbishment, an entire floor was added to the hotel’s original four storeys to allow the construction of several new suites, with this dazzling penthouse as the crowning glory. Built over two floors, the Penthouse Suite features two master bedrooms each with their own bathroom, two living rooms, a turquoise dining room seating eight and a kitchen fully-equipped with Alessi appliances. The dark oak double doors lead into an airy, Shaker-inspired space with Irish-crafted furnishings of leather, suede and velvet. True to its rock ’n’ roll pedigree, the suite includes a well-stocked private bar, a baby grand piano and a panoramic rooftop terrace complete with open air hot tub.

  • Square footage: 2,088
  • Nightly rate: $4,000

Clinton Attwell, General Manager

+353 1 407 0800

6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2

www.theclarence.ie

THE FITZWILLIAM

PENTHOUSE, THE FITZWILLIAM

The Terence Conran designed Fitzwilliam sits in a prime position on St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin’s proudest Georgian Square.

Conrad’s interiors here are typically sleek and refined, with a lobby of purple carpets, Barcelona sandstone and a black-and-white tiled catwalk leading to the pewter-clad bar. Every detail has been carefully considered, right down to the bowls of apples and votive candles in the hallways, and the use of neutral colors and clean lines is effortlessly graceful. Michelin-starred restaurant Thornton’s is the Fitzwilliam’s trump card, while the excellent bistro Citron offers more casual dining.

TOP SUITE PENTHOUSE

Why we love it: A popular suite for stars performing at Dublin’s O2 venue, the Fitzwilliam Penthouse is a fabulous showcase of Conrad flair.

Bright red leather furnishings, deep shag pile rugs, a gleaming grand piano—this is accommodation fit for rock royalty. Guests can enjoy a private bar with 24-hour butler service, as well as a spacious dining area with Michelin-starred cuisine for entertaining. A unique sculptured ceiling houses the latest in computer controlled lighting, a leather-covered wall retracts to reveal a huge plasma screen and the vast limestone bath offers a deep soak worthy of Cleopatra.

  • Square footage: 2,000
  • Nightly rate: $3,200

Fergal O’Connell, General Manager

+353 1 478 7000

St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

www.fitzwilliamhotel.com

THE MORGAN

Penthouse

Located in Dublin’s lively Temple Bar district, the Morgan is among the city’s most chic boutique hotels and has attracted a keen following in the music and fashion industries.

The cool modern interiors contrast with the dynamic street life outside and offer elegant comfort perfect for longer stays. Each room is individually designed in a contemporary minimalist style, with the colorful bathrooms perhaps the most striking feature. Elite travelers will love the cocktail bar—a favorite among Dublin’s in crowd—and the hotel’s proximity to Grafton Street, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. The Morgan also has a fine tapas restaurant, professional meeting rooms and an attractive courtyard.

TOP SUITE PENTHOUSE

Penthouse

Why we love it: This duplex style apartment features Philippe Starck furniture, its very own baby grand piano and a rooftop garden with panoramic views of the city. Light beechwood furnishings and creamy neutral walls lend the interior a clean fresh feel and make this an easy place to stay for a week or two. The master bedroom includes a king size bed with a gilt-framed Louis XV headboard and guests can make use of a widescreen TV and private bar. The fully-equipped kitchen and ample dining area are convenient for longer stays, and you’ll find every appliance and feature is designed with exquisite attention to detail. A novelty you won’t find elsewhere, the rooftop terrace includes an extra room in the form of a vintage Airstream caravan.

  • Square footage: 5,600
  • Nightly rate: $1,300

Paul Fitzpatrick, Managing Director

+353 1 643 7000

10 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

www.themorgan.com

THE RITZ-CARLTON POWERSCOURT

The Ritz -Carlton Powerscourt

Set in one of Ireland’s most scenic and historic estates, The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is a spectacular rural retreat 30 minutes from Dublin.

The 200-room resort boasts extraordinary Palladian-style architecture and includes two championship level golf courses, a 30,000-square foot spa by ESPA and a Gordon Ramsay signature restaurant. The friendly staff can arrange chauffeur-driven tours of the area, or provide bike hire and horse treks for the more intrepid. Guests can explore the woodland and lakes of hilly Wicklow, before returning to the hotel for a blissful spa treatment and dinner at Ramsay’s or traditional pub, McGill’s.

TOP SUITE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Presidential Suite

Why we love it: This palatial seventh floor suite offers outstanding views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, with two double bedrooms and a Jacuzzi on the private rooftop terrace. The Ritz-Carlton signature linens and featherbeds are a delight, and the warm colors and open fire in the living room lend a charming country house ambiance. The spacious dining room is ideal for entertaining and the separate study useful for business guests. The bathrooms feature marble baths with recessed TVs, separate rainforest showers and double vanities, and the master suite bathroom includes a sauna and steam room. Presidential Suite guests can enjoy 24-hour in-room dining and a fully-stocked honesty bar. The accommodation of choice for the likes of Bono, Johnny Depp and Eva Green.

  • Square footage: 2,456
  • Nightly rate: $7,100

Max Zanardi, General Manager

+353 1 274 8888

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, County Wicklow

www.ritzcarlton.com

THE FOUR SEASONS

Four Seasons Ice Bar

A beautiful marble-adorned lobby leads you into one of the most spacious and peaceful hotels in the capital.

Located in the desirable Ballsbridge district in the southeast of the city, the new red brick building combines faux Georgian and Victorian features with modern concrete and glass, and once inside you can expect immaculate service and particularly good facilities for families. The four-acre garden makes a verdant view from the large hotel windows and provides a tranquil retreat in the summer. Tea in the Lobby Lounge is delightful, or for something a little stronger, the hotel’s popular Ice Bar is as cool as its name would suggest. Seasons Restaurant serves fine seasonal dishes using Irish ingredients and for sybaritic bliss, the large hotel spa is one of the best in Ireland.

TOP SUITE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

Seasons restaurant

Why we love it: With extravagant furnishings, ornaments and amenities, the Presidential Suite is every bit as opulent as you would expect from the Four Seasons empire. Available with two or three bedrooms thanks to adaptable connecting rooms, the suite includes a separate kitchen, an eight-seat dining room and a balcony with pleasant views on to the landscaped gardens and the show grounds of the Royal Dublin Society. The master bedroom includes a large walk-in closet and dressing area, with a guest powder room near the suite entrance, and the marble bathroom offers a deep soaking bath tub, a separate glass-walled shower and a double vanity.

  • Square footage: 2,691
  • Nightly rate: $2,600

Jose Soriano, General Manager

+353 1 665 4000

Simmonscourt Road, Dublin 4

www.fourseasons.com/dublin

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