Recommended Hotels

There is sometimes little difference between hotels and guesthouses, but the latter are usually cheaper, and city centre hotels, especially in Temple Bar, tend to be more noisy.

Listed below is a selection of hotels in four price categories, grouped in the following areas: Dublin city centre, north suburbs, south suburbs and south coast. Although the tourist information offices at Dublin Airport and Suffolk Street have hotel booking facilities, you are advised to book your accommodation well in advance.

Many hotels, mostly in the top of the range, add a service charge to the quoted price, and rates shoot up during special events. Be sure to ask what is included in the quoted rates: ask about VAT (government tax), service and breakfast (after a full Irish breakfast you probably won’t need much lunch). Also ask about weekend rates and other special offers or check on the hotel’s website.

As a basic guide to room prices, we have used the following symbols for a double room with bath or shower (en suite), usually including breakfast, service charge and tax:

€€€€ over 190 euros

€€€ 140–190uros

€€ 90–140 euros

€ below 90 euros

City Centre

Arlington Hotel € Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2, tel: 670 8777, www.arlingtonhoteltemplebar.com. This good-value hotel, formerly the Parliament, has been refurbished. Opposite Dublin Castle and just around the corner from Temple Bar, it also has the lively Legends Bar, featuring Irish music and dancing every night. 63 rooms.

Blooms Hotel € 6 Anglesea Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, tel: 671 5622, www.blooms.ie. A convenient modern hotel in the Temple Bar area, Blooms is a decent choice for partygoers, but not for those planning a quiet night. Downstairs is Club M. 86 rooms.

Brooks Hotel €€ Drury Street, Dublin 2, tel: 670 4000, www.brookshotel.ie. With a great location just a short walk from Dublin’s Grafton Street, Brooks is a smart choice in the centre of the city. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and there are plasma screens and DVD players in the newer rooms. 98 rooms.

Buswells Hotel €€ 23–27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, tel: 614 6500, www.buswells.ie. Centrally located (oppos­ite the National Museum and parliament) in a former Georgian townhouse, Buswells has an old-world atmosphere and period furnishings. Bar popular with politicians. 67 rooms.

Castle Hotel €€ 2–4 Great Denmark Street, Dublin 1, tel: 874 6949, www.castle-hotel.ie. The Castle Hotel consists of three adjacent and tastefully restored Georgian buildings, close to Parnell Square. Authentically restored décor combined with modern comfort. Small conference facilities and parking. 48 rooms.

Central Hotel €€ 1–5 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, tel: 679 7302, www.centralhotel.ie. A modest and comfortable hotel, well-located midway between Temple Bar and Grafton Street, and furnished in Victorian style. First floor Library Bar attracts literary types. 70 rooms.

Clarence Hotel €€€ 6–8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, tel: 407 0800, www.theclarence.ie. Each room is uniquely designed in a contemporary manner in this handsome hotel, built in 1852. Adjacent to Temple Bar and overlooking the River Liffey, it has a lovely interior and a fine restaurant, The Tea Rooms. Parking. 44 rooms, 4 suites and 1 penthouse.

Clarion Hotel €€€ International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1, tel: 433 8800, www.clarionhotelifsc.com. Located along the quays a reasonably short walk from the centre, the Clarion is a good option with contemporary-styled rooms, luxurious suites and serviced apartments for those planning on a longer stay. The hotel also has the Sanovitae Health and Fitness Club with gym and swimming pool. 151 rooms and suites, 14 apartments.

Cliff Townhouse €€€ 22 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, tel: 01-638 3939, www.clifftownhouse.com. An upmarket guesthouse offering discreet, low-key luxury above a celebrated restaurant and oyster bar, an outpost of the gourmet destination Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. A wonderful central location in Georgian Dublin and a quiet place for a romantic getaway. Handy for shopping and dining out. 10 rooms.

Conrad Dublin €€€€ Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, tel: 602 8900, http://conradhotels1.hilton.com. Situated just off St Stephen’s Green, this glass construction opposite the National Concert Hall houses one of Ireland’s few five-star hotels. The Conrad’s gourmet restaurant, traditional pub and elegant tearoom could make it difficult to leave. 191 rooms and 15 suites.

Davenport Hotel €€€€ Merrion Square, Dublin 2, tel: 607 3500, www.ocallaghanhotels.com. The neoclassical style of the impressive facade of this elegant 1860s building is carried over into its vast atrium lobby. Fine-dining restaurant, bar, conference facilities, car park. 102 rooms and 12 suites.

Dylan €€€€ Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 2, tel: 660 3000, www.dylan.ie. A chic and stylish boutique hotel in a quiet location off Baggot Street, about a 15-minute walk from Grafton Street. The individually designed rooms include plasma screens, customised beds and underfloor-heated bathrooms. 41 rooms and suites.

Fitzsimons Hotel €€ 21–22 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2, tel: 677 9315, www.fitzsimonshotel.com. If you’re coming to Dublin to experience a weekend you’ll soon forget (i.e. with the lads/lasses) this is the place for you. A huge nightclub and four bars over five floors make it an all-night affair. By day, the Millennium Bridge provides access to the city’s best shopping areas. 22 rooms.

Fitzwilliam Hotel €€€€ St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, tel: 478 7000, www.fitzwilliamhotel.com. This modern, upmarket hotel is located on the Green and has a contemporary and understated elegance. There are views of Dublin from the lovely roof garden. Among its three restaurants, the Michelin-starred Thornton’s is one of Dublin’s finest. 130 rooms.

Grafton Capital €€ Stephen’s Street Lower, Dublin 2, tel: 648 1100, www.graftoncapitalhotel.com. This is a good three-star townhouse hotel with a great location in the centre of the lively Cultural Quarter near Grafton Street. Across the road, a string of Dublin’s best cafes and bars await exploration. 75 rooms.

Gresham Hotel €€€ 23 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1, tel: 874 6881, www.gresham-hotels.com. One of Dublin’s legendary hotels, the Gresham is based in the heart of the city, near the General Post Office. The fine, early 19th-century building, with its marble floors and large rooms offers luxurious accommodation. Two restaurants, two bars. 288 rooms and suites.

Harding Hotel €€ Copper Alley, Fishamble Street, Christchurch, Dublin 2, tel: 679 6500, www.hardinghotel.ie. A pleasant three-star hotel opposite Christ Church Cathedral, and just a step away from Temple Bar. Bright, fresh rooms and Darkey Kelly’s Bar and Restaurant complete the picture. 52 rooms.

Maldron Hotel Smithfield €€ The Plaza, Smithfield, Dublin 7, tel: 485 0900, www.maldronhotels.com. There are fine views of the city from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms at the front of this contemporary hotel. The hotel is in the legal district behind the Four Courts, so nights are quiet. Temple Bar is just across the river, O’Connell Street is a short stroll, or you can hop on a red line Luas (tram). 92 rooms.

The Marker Hotel €€€€ Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2, tel: 01-687 5100, www.themarkerhoteldublin.com. This was the first luxury hotel to open in Dublin since the economic crash: six floors of iconic architecture and interior design situated in the heart of the futuristic new docklands development area. Rooftop lounge, 23m infinity pool, indoor-outdoor brasserie. 187 rooms.

Merrion Hotel €€€€ Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, tel: 603 0600, www.merrionhotel.com. This elegant five-star hotel was created from four Georgian town houses. Its gracious setting, discreet service and beautifully appointed rooms and suites offer an outstanding experience. One of Dublin’s notable restaurants, Patrick Guilbaud (for more information, click here) is located here. 123 rooms and 19 suites.

Mont Clare Hotel €€ Merrion Square, Dublin 2, tel: 607 3800, www.ocallaghanhotels.com. An attractive hotel with a traditional club-like feel, set in a Georgian building on lovely Merrion Square. Convenient for the National Art Gallery, Trinity College and other attractions. Restaurant, bar, car park. 72 rooms and 2 suites.

The Morgan €€€ 10 Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, tel: 643 7000, www.themorgan.com. The most stylish boutique hotel in Temple Bar. You should stay here if you’ve come to live it up (or seduce). You can start in the chic cocktail bar, which also serves tapas. 106 rooms.

Morrison Hotel €€€€ Ormond Quay, Dublin 1, tel: 887 2400, www.morrisonhotel.ie. One of Dublin’s most sophisticated hotels, set in a modern building overlooking the River Liffey. The Morrison Grill is informal, yet elegant, and the intimate new-look Quay 14, an all-day bar-café which overlooks the River Liffey, is a great place for a cocktail. 138 rooms.

Number 31 €€€ 31 Leeson Close, Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, tel: 676 5011, www.number31.ie. This upscale B&B, formerly home to a leading modernist architect, is a favourite with regular visitors to Dublin. It features spacious rooms, listed architecture, a sunken lounge with fireplace, and a fabulous Irish breakfast in the conservatory. 21 rooms.

The Paramount €€ Parliament Street, Dublin 2; tel: 417 9900, www.paramounthotel.ie. The Paramount has good rooms and a gentleman’s club feel with tobacco-tones and 1930s styling. The location is hard to beat. 64 rooms.

Russell Court Hotel € 21–25 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, tel: 478 4066, www.russellcourthotel.ie. Two Georgian houses make up this hotel with its Victorian-style décor, plus a two-storey cottage at the rear of the hotel. Restaurant, nightclub and bars. 42 rooms.

Shelbourne Hotel €€€€ 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, tel: 663 4500, www.marriott.com. Dublin’s most famous hotel lives up to its five-star rating. Some rooms overlook the Green, and all are furnished for style and comfort. A very good restaurant and two bars; try the lobby for afternoon tea. 265 rooms and 13 suites.

Staunton’s on the Green €€ 83 St Stephen’s Green South, Dublin 2, tel: 478 2300, www.stauntonsonthegreen.ie. This exclusive Georgian guesthouse overlooks St Stephen’s Green in front and the Iveagh Gardens to the rear. A well-preserved historic building, with splendid high ceilings and windows. The spacious rooms are all en suite. 40 rooms.

Temple Bar Hotel €€ Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, tel: 612 9200, www.templebarhotel.com. Pleasant hotel in Temple Bar, near clubs and pubs, and a stone’s throw away from Grafton Street. Restaurant and bar. 129 rooms.

Trinity Capital €€ Pearse Street, Dublin 2, tel: 648 1000, www.trinitycapital-hotel.com. One of several Capital Hotels in the city, with atmospheric Victorian décor in the lobby and bar. Bright, contemporary rooms with cherry wood furnishings. Most rooms have internet access; mini-suites have jacuzzi baths. Restaurant. 195 rooms.

Trinity Lodge €€ 12 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2, tel: 617 0900, www.trinitylodge.com. Tucked away on a quiet side street near Trinity College, you can’t get any more central than this and it’s difficult to find a quieter location. Inside, the rooms have light oak furniture and big, comfy beds. Outside you are in one of Dublin’s best café society areas. 23 rooms.

The Westbury €€€€ Grafton Street, Dublin 2, tel: 679 1122, www.doylecollection.com. A favourite with visiting celebrities, the Westbury is a lush, opulent oasis just off Grafton Street. The Gallery is a favourite for afternoon tea and the Marble Bar is a chic spot to have a cocktail. 205 rooms and suites.

The Westin €€€€ Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, tel: 645 1000, www.thewestindublin.com. The Westin sits in a prime city centre location in a grand historic building, which used to be the Allied Irish Bank. It is everything you’d expect from an international 5-star with luxurious guest rooms, fully-equipped gym and fine dining. 163 rooms and suites.

Wynn’s Hotel €€ 35–39 Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1, tel: 874 5131, www.wynnshotel.ie. This old-fashioned city centre hotel has been a landmark since Victorian times and is just around the corner from the Abbey Theatre. Still a favourite meeting spot for Dubliners with a genuine local buzz, and a busy restaurant at lunch and early evening. Bar, conference facilities, parking. 65 rooms.

North of the Centre

Egan’s Guesthouse € 7–9 Iona Park, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, tel: 830 3611, www.eganshouse.com. Red brick guesthouse in a pleasant terrace of Edwardian houses, near the splendid Botanic Gardens, Croke Park and the airport. Car park. 32 rooms.

Regency Hotel €€ Swords Road, Whitehall, Dublin 9, tel: 837 3544, www.regencyhotels.com. A handy place to stay if you’re coming in too late for the fun, or too early for the sun. Located between the city and the airport, the rooms are modern and the theme restaurant will feed you well. 280 rooms.

South of the Centre

Bewley’s Hotel Ballsbridge €€ Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel: 668 1111, www.bewleyshotels.com. A spacious and modern hotel behind a restored 1793 facade, with comfortable, reasonably priced rooms, sleeping up to two adults and two children on a per room rate. The bar is a popular meeting place, and relatively quiet. Restaurant, parking. 304 rooms.

Burlington Hotel €€ Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4, tel: 618 5600, www.burlingtonhotel.ie. A huge and popular hotel, the Burlington has Dublin’s largest conference facilities. Rates have been cut drastically since the downturn: check out the website. Restaurants, bars, car park. 500 rooms and 6 suites.

Glenveagh Townhouse € 31 Northumberland Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel: 668 4612, www.glenveagh.com. A pleasant Victorian house a 15-minute walk or short bus ride from centre. Quiet location. Parking. 13 rooms.

Herbert Park Hotel €€ Anglesea Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel: 667 2200, www.herbertparkhotel.ie. Stylish, comfortable, modern hotel in the Embassy district. The lounge, bar and restaurant feature furnishings by Irish designers. Rooms have king-size beds. Fitness and business facilities, free car park. 150 rooms and 3 suites.

Lansdowne Hotel €€ 27–29 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel: 668 2522, www.lansdownehotel.ie. This is a small, friendly family-run hotel, set back from a tree-lined road in Ballsbridge. Druid’s Restaurant, traditional bar, car park. 40 rooms.

Premier Suites Dublin €€€ Stephen’s Hall, 14–17 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, tel: 638 1111, www.premiersuitesdublin.com. These luxurious serviced apartments are ideal for anyone planning a longer stay. Each suite has a spacious living area with plasma TV, hi-fi and broadband. 27 suites, 3 penthouses.

Raglan Lodge €€ 10 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, tel: 660 6697. In a Victorian house dating from 1861, this hotel offers a quiet stay in a peaceful location near the American Embassy and 10 minutes by bus from Dublin’s centre. Award-winning breakfast. Parking. 7 rooms.

Sandymount Hotel €–€€ Herbert Road, Landsdowne Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4, tel: 614 2000, www.sandymounthotel.ie. A family-run hotel in an extended Victorian building near Lansdowne Road DART, the Aviva Stadium and Sandymount Strand (for walkers and runners). Functional but comfortable en-suite rooms. Children’s play area. Restaurant, bar, parking. 180 rooms.

South Coast

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel €€–€€€ Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin, tel: 230 5400, www.fitzpatrickcastle.com. This period residence sits in 3.5 hectares (9 acres) of landscaped gardens and wooded grounds, overlooking Dublin Bay. Restaurants, bar, fitness centre, swimming pool and games room; golf, tennis and horse riding available off-site. Car park. 113 rooms and suites.

Rochestown Lodge Hotel and Spa €€ Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, tel: 285 3555, www.rochestownlodge.com. Rooms have contemporary furnishings, many with views of the Wicklow Mountains. Family rooms are available. Facilities include a gym and health centre. 90 rooms and suites.