The 10 best hotels in Dublin
Discover the top hotels in Dublin handpicked by local expert Ciara McQuillan.
Ciara McQuillan
6 December 2023
Surrounded by the sea and miles of stunning coastline on one side and verdant mountains on the other, Ireland’s vibrant capital is a bucket list destination for many, and with good reason. With a long-standing tradition of live music, friendly people, historical sites, and great bars, Dublin has something for everyone.And then there is the selection of hotels, impressive by any standard. From modern day architectural masterpieces like Anantara The Marker, to hotels such as The Shelbourne, with its lived experience of the city’s unique history, Dublin has a great range of hotel options, whatever the occasion.If you happen to prefer a boutique inn or an ornate abode, these are the best hotels in Dublin to base yourself whether you are visiting to soak up the history, the culture or the much celebrated nightlife. And of course, don’t forget to try the Guinness!
1.
The Westbury Hotel
Address: Grafton Street Dublin 2 IE €347-2767/night
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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.
2.
Stauntons on the Green
Address: 83 St. Stephens Green South €121-614/night
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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.
3.
Anantara The Marker Dublin
Address: Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2, Dublin €187-4238/night
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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.
4.
Number 31
Address: 31 Leeson Close €140-875/night
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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.
5.
Intercontinental Dublin
Address: Simmonscourt Road Ballsbridge : Dublin 4 €241-1367/night
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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.
6.
The Wilder
Address: 22 Adelaide Road €189-691/night
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A resident-only boutique townhouse on Dublin’s prestigious Adelaide Road, The Wilder is a Victorian-era vision with a charming brick-fronted façade. All of the guest rooms are uniquely decorated and range in size from a 14-16 sq. m “shoebox” to a 35 sq. m suite. All have bathrooms with a walk-in rainforest shower, plus a range of toiletries from the brand Hopal.
Accessible guest rooms have assistance alarm velvet blackout blinds and accessible fittings in the bathroom. The Gin and Tea Rooms with its herringbone wooden flooring and moody dark paintwork is an atmospheric room serving a selection of light bites and refreshments throughout the day, along with a large selection of bespoke Irish craft gin.
Breakfast can be enjoyed in The Garden Room and the location, in a quieter part of the city, feels tranquil and bucolic, yet is a mere stroll away from the buzz of the capital.
7.
Nyx Hotel Dublin Christchurch
Address: Lord Edward Street €117-825/night
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On the edge of Dublin’s famous Temple Bar, Hard Rock Hotel is in a prime position for those who plan to revel in Dublin’s famous nightlife scene with a host of amenities fit for a rock star.
Rock OM is an in-room yoga program and “The Sound of your Stay” offers guests a curated Spotify playlist, an in-room vinyl collection, and your choice of a Fender guitar, with headphones and an amplifier to enjoy in your own room – plus, newbies to guitar strumming can access lesson content to hone their skills. There is also a VIP pet program to ensure your pooch is also well pampered.
Bedrooms are vibrant with pillow top beds, all mod cons, city views, and music-inspired artwork. Dining in Zampas is a culinary journey into Peruvian cuisine (try the Peruvian chicken) with excellent cocktails too. The live music at weekends makes Zampas a destination in itself.
8.
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Address: 27 St. Stephen's Green €325-2804/night
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The “Grand Old Dame” of Dublin, The Shelbourne is a five-star hotel rooted in Dublin history. Welcoming guests for nearly 200 years, the first draft of the historic Constitution of the Irish Free State was drafted here in 1922, a particularly turbulent era in Irish history.
Today, the hotel is a luxurious property with a wealth of amenities including a luxury spa, a beauty salon, a barbershop, a health club with a swimming pool, an in-house florist and “genealogy butler” who will help you trace any Irish roots (should you be lucky enough to have any).
Guest rooms epitomize refined luxury with 300-thread count Egyptian cotton bedding and elegant marble bathrooms; if possible, ask for a room overlooking St. Stephens Green. Sunday lunch in The Saddle Room is an elegant affair and drinks in The Horseshoe Bar have been a Dublin tradition for over 60 years.
9.
Number 59 Dublin
Address: 59 Camden Street Lower €142-540/night
A relative newcomer to the Dublin hotel scene, Number 59 opened its doors in the summer of 2023 to much fanfare. Housed in a restored townhouse in the heart of Dublin’s vibrant Camden Street, Number 59 is surrounded by some of the best bars and restaurants that Dublin has to offer, making it one of my favorite spots to stay.
Those with a penchant for Indian cuisine should pay a visit to nearby Pickle while Asian food fanatics will enjoy buzzy Hang-Dai. With just seven guest rooms, Number 59 is an intimate home from home, which exudes calm and restraint in classic mid-century style.
The reception area is photo-ready with its blush pink walls, marble-topped desk, and ornate tiled flooring, while the residents-only cocktail lounge provides a welcome refuge from the busy streets outside. Bedrooms have everything you need and nothing you don’t.
10.
The Merrion
Address: Upper Merrion Street,Dublin 2. €363-1658/night
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Located in the Georgian Quarter of the city, The Merrion Hotel is undoubtedly one of the most luxurious hotels in Dublin. Impeccably attired, perpetually jovial doormen greet you on arrival, giving the first hint that The Merrion is something special – and that impression doesn’t stop there.
Comprising four restored, Georgian townhouses, The Merrion has 142 bedrooms, all decorated with subtle sophistication with views over the garden or nearby government buildings. The period charm of the building is irresistible, and the impressive interior provides the perfect backdrop to the notable collection of 19th- and 20th-century art.
The resulting marriage of classical architecture with exceptional Irish and European art is simply astounding. Add to that the 18m pool, spa, and gym, plus the array of dining and bar options that include the 2-Michelin-starred Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and it’s easy to see why The Merrion has become synonymous with superb Irish hospitality.
