27 Best Hotels in Dublin, Ireland

Paris has the Ritz, New York has the St. Regis, and Dublin has the Shelbourne—resplendent in its broad, ornamented, pink-and-white mid-Victorian facade right off Grafton Street. Long famed as the Dublin home of the nation's literati, the grande dame of Stephen's Green has been immortalized by authors running from Thackeray to Elizabeth Bowen, and the Constitution of the Irish Free State was drawn up here. An enduring, venerable tradition is to take tea in the Lord Mayor's Lounge, just off the towering, marble-floor, cream-and-crystal lobby with its gilded pillars and brass candelabra. In the lobby, the Irish Chippendale chairs have given way to contemporary art from Irish greats like Louis le Brocquy, Barrie Cooke, and Cian McLoughlin. The guest rooms, though not overly large, are almost as luxurious as the lobby, with the marble bathrooms a tactile pleasure. 

With an architecturally stunning checkerboard exterior, the Marker welcomes guests to its dockside location with an understated luxury that also strives to create a genuine connection to Dublin’s history and Irish culture. Guest rooms are spacious and elegant, with furniture and artwork from local makers and a bold color scheme meant to evoke the Irish countryside (the purple carpets stand in for fields of Irish heather). The onsite dining and drinking options are nothing short of spectacular: the downstairs Marker Bar serves cocktails and food in a buzzy atmosphere while the main restaurant Forbes Street By Gareth Mullins brings approachable fine dining to the neighborhood, serving Irish beef, fish, and produce alongside a strong wine menu. Upstairs, the hip Rooftop Bar & Terrace competes with the Guinness Storehouse for the best 360-degree views of Dublin. For anyone looking for relaxation, there’s a gorgeous indoor infinity pool as well as a full spa with a variety of holistic treatment options. To further your love affair with Ireland, several special programs are offered for guests, from Irish coffee making lessons to neighborhood walking tours.

The terrace bar at the tastefully modern Gibson Hotel has to be the dream spot to view the impressive skyline and shimmering waterways of Dublin's trendy docklands area. A Nordic, spacious feel to the design ensures rooms flooded with natural light, and many open onto private courtyards, creating a calm oasis in the bustling city. Floating shelves, lighting strips cleverly hidden under the beds, and a strong green-organic ethos add to the chilled-out vibe. Towering bamboo and surreal murals give the public spaces a dash of the exotic. The Coda Eatery prides itself on using local produce and creating wholesome, healthy dishes.

Set within the show grounds of the Royal Dublin Society, this Victorian-Georgian hybrid—topped by gigantic eaves and a lovely cupola—has an impressive 4 acres of gardens; a big effort has been made to ensure that a bit of greenery can be seen from most rooms. It may look like the real McCoy but was in fact built during the boomtime excesses of the brash Celtic Tiger era. Once you enter the six-floor building, you see pre-20th-century design mixes luxuriously with modern glass and concrete and lends the place a warm touch. Guest rooms are spacious, with large windows that allow light to flood in. The lower-level antiques-adorned spa is one of the finest in the country, with a naturally lit lap pool.

Dublin's newest boutique hotel combines a 19th-century town house and a former warehouse with an impressive steel-and-glass box. There's an authentic industrial look to the design inside too, with brushed concrete and original brickwork. Located near the IFSC, it's perfect for business travelers but has enough style to entice pleasure-seekers too. Quirky corridor carpets and a stunning art collection add to the cool vibe, and the rooms in the old warehouse have a lovely, open loft feel. The Mayson Bar includes a serene terrace out back, and Ryleigh's, the rooftop steak house, boasts great views out over the city.

Stately and spiffy, and splendidly situated directly across from the Government Buildings between St. Stephen's Green and Merrion Square, this luxurious hotel actually comprises four exactingly restored Georgian town houses. Some of the guest rooms are appointed in classic style—from the crisp linen sheets to the Carrara marble bathrooms. Some are vaulted with delicate Adamesque plasterwork ceilings, and others are graced with magnificent, original marble fireplaces. To fully enjoy the historic patina, opt for one of the more authentic rooms in the Main House at the front. The small but luxurious spa and infinity pool are perfect places to unwind, and leading Dublin restaurateur Patrick Guilbaud has his eponymous, Michelin-starred restaurant on the premises.

Whether your lodging style is sublime Georgian elegance or cool modern, this one-in-a-million guesthouse, a short walk from St. Stephen's Green, serves up both—as well as the best made-to-order breakfast in town. Once the home of Sam Stephenson, Dublin's most highly controversial Modernist architect, the contemporary and Georgian houses that make up this B&B are connected via a small but beautiful garden. You'll feel right at home (if your home is supercool and comfy, that is) in the sunken living room, with its black-leather sectional sofa, roaring fireplace, and modern artwork, and you might never want to leave once ensconced in the period-style guest rooms, one of which (No. 21) has a ceiling lofty and corniced enough for a royal.

“Townhouse" does not do justice to the splendor of the place, but it does hint at the cozy, relaxed atmosphere of the Pembroke, a superb example of classic 18th-century grandeur. The fan-windowed front door leads into a stately reception area, complete with Grecian pillars. The bright, airy, high-ceiling rooms are all individually designed in a gentle clash of contemporary chic and Georgian symmetry. Nearly every wall bears a striking piece of contemporary Irish art. The hearty breakfast—including sautéed lamb's liver if desired—is served in the serene dining room.

Pardon the pun, but this converted Victorian parochial school just off the Grand Canal really is A-plus—set in a gorgeous example of 19th-century architecture complete with turrets and soaring nave (now the setting for the restaurant), this may be the most uniquely upcycled hotel in Ireland. The headliner here is the beautiful, light-filled former chapel, now home to the classy, modern-Irish Gastrobar complete with an iron-work chandelier. Guest rooms—each named for a famous Irish writer and hung with a corresponding portrait—are very old-school (again, excuse the pun) luxury, with thick rugs matching the quilted bedspreads, plus beautiful oak chairs and desks, and an array of historic edition wallpapers. Enjoy the in-room spa treatments to take the edge off after a hard day's shopping.

This luxurious, chandelier-filled, modern hotel just off Grafton Street is a favorite with elegantly dressed Dubliners who stop for afternoon tea in the Gallery, the spacious mezzanine-level main lobby, furnished with a grand piano and a grand view out onto the bustling streets. Bedrooms have handmade Irish furniture and carpets, plus duck-down duvets. Most inviting are the suites, which combine four-poster-bed opulence with a very understated, sleek look. The restaurant, Wilde, serves upscale lunches and dinners; the street-level bar and brasserie Balfe's goes for a more relaxed menu and feel.

This modern, architecturally uninspired hotel is centrally located just off O'Connell Street and offers lots of comfort at an affordable, slightly unfashionable-neighborhood price. Guest rooms have a polished, contemporary feel with king-size beds and rich rust-and-beige color schemes, and added comforts include free newspapers and sound-insulated windows. The main restaurant offers a traditional menu, and the stylish bar has a warm, relaxed vibe.

The homemade preserves and oven-warm scones are reason enough to stay at this redbrick 1850 Victorian guesthouse, in one of Dublin's poshest tree-lined suburbs a 15-minute walk from St. Stephen's Green. Restored rooms in the main house are lovingly decorated with Georgian antiques, Victoriana, and period wallpaper and drapes. The 13 rooms at the back of the house are less luxurious, but all are immaculate. A Waterford-crystal chandelier hangs over the comfortable leather and mahogany furniture in the gracious, fireplace-warmed drawing room where afternoon tea is served.

Temple Bar's most prestigious hotel, and occasional home to your potential new best friends/elevator buddies, co-owners Bono and the Edge of U2, this renovated 1852 grand old hotel is the place to sample Temple Bar's nightlife, even if your pals are too busy rocking to hang. The design of the public spaces uses a subtle palette of natural tones and materials, and maintains the unique shapes and Arts and Crafts style of the old hotel in the Octagon Bar and the elegant Cleaver East restaurant. The Curious Mister is a Prohibition-style cocktail bar with a bistro menu. Guest rooms, with Shaker-style furniture, are a bit underwhelming, decorated in a mishmash of earth tones accented with crimson, royal blue, gold, and chocolate. With the exception of those in the penthouse suite, rooms are small. 

The days when Irish and international celebrities partied the nights away at the Burlington hotel might be gone, but this Dublin institution is convenient to St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street and home to a lively bar and restaurant so it's still a focal point for social events and gatherings. The hotel's impersonal 1972 glass-and-concrete facade is not very inviting, but inside, public spaces are warmed with comfy leather sofas and wooden floors and trimmings. The real treat is the generous-size guest rooms, redone in modern minimalist style, with neutral tones and large picture windows. The B Bar goes for a very chic cocktail-lounge look.

The best thing about the ugly-on-the-outside, seven-story, redbrick, and smoked-glass Conrad are the spectacular views out over the city, so ask for—no, insist on—a room on one of the top three floors. Just off St. Stephen's Green, the Conrad firmly aims for international business travelers. Gleaming light-color marble graces the large formal lobby. Rooms can be rather cramped but are nicely outfitted with natural-wood furnishings, painted in earthy colors, and have Spanish marble in the bathrooms. The Coburg is a classic bistro and Lemuel's is a glitzy cocktail bar named for a Jonathan Swift character.

Right in the heart of Temple Bar, this basic but well-run hotel somehow manages to feel like something of an oasis from the hustle of this lively neighborhood. The small but elegant lobby leads up to rooms that are designed around their limited space so you don't feel too cramped. Staff are pleasant and helpful and the Irish breakfast hits the spot after a night on the town.

Smithfield's newest hotel might look a little mundane with its redbrick, officelike exterior, but inside it's a lot more fun. Street art is what sets the cool Hendrick apart from the crowd, with 259 original pieces crammed into every nook and public space. Rooms can be small and very white, but their clever designs (with an extra bunk bed in some doubles) and striking splashes of colorful art help compensate. The cocktail bar is already a favorite hangout for locals.

Housed in an elegant four-story Georgian terrace just a five-minute walk from St. Stephen's Green, this contemporary-luxe hotel is decorated with rich wallpapers, touches of brass, gleaming mirrors, stylish tiled floors, lots of Navan-manufactured furniture---and it is fully powered by an underground river. The black-marble-floor lobby features teal and gold sofas, vintage light fittings, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Guest rooms are spacious and bright with high ceilings, deep bespoke carpets, rainfall showers, and Art Deco mirrors. Ask for a room at the back, overlooking the gorgeous Iveagh Gardens. Elle's is a perfect place for a quiet drink or a quick bite, and there is a classic afternoon tea in the picturesque lobby.

Expect few frills at this functional budget (at least, budget by city-center standards) hotel, on a hill facing Christ Church Cathedral and within walking distance of most city-center attractions. The big but somewhat spartan rooms are decorated in primary colors and have utilitarian furniture. The restaurant and bar are equally functional. Their midweek and off-season rates can be an extremely good value. Both this location and the branch at Custom House Quay offer a low, fixed room rate for up to three adults or two adults and two children.

A sparkling gem among a lot of very drab hotels in Temple Bar, the Morgan boasts about its chic design and decor, and the excitingly designed bedrooms and luxurious bathrooms are indeed pleasing to the many fashionistas and photographers who love this place. It is the hotel's extended-stay suites, however, that really set it apart from the crowd. With a fully equipped kitchen and a spacious, gadget-filled living room, guests can hunker down and make themselves comfortable for a week or two. The generously heated outside courtyard is perfect for cocktails.

Showcasing new Irish talent in everything from the textiles to the art on the walls and the sculptures in public spaces—there are even famous Irish song lyrics on the walls in some bedrooms—this sleek, trendy spot remains top of the Northside lodging charts. The rooms in general don't do subtlety; there's a lot of white contrasted with splashes of bold purples and green in the curtains and pillows. The Morrison inspires reactions: some find it a bit much, while others draw comparisons with a London boutique hotel, though it's many times the size. Centrally located, it's halfway between the Ha'penny and Capel Street bridges, and no more than a 10-minute walk from Trinity College.

The sleek glass-and-concrete Radisson, just off South Great George's Street, offers to-the-point business accommodations with a dash of cool contemporary style, proof positive that it is possible to be elegant and functional at the same time. Each room at the front—all clean lines and minimal fuss—has one wall that is basically a huge window, crisp Irish linens, and a bathroom with earthy wood and stone finishes. The cocktail bar Sure is a hit with the locals.

Opened in 1817, it's been a while since this was the place to stay for visiting dignitaries and local celebs, but the now chain-owned Gresham remains a solid city-center option without the astronomical expense. Big beds are a plus in rooms that vary in design, and the marble-tiled bathrooms feature a separate bathtub and shower. Public spaces have a nice buzz about them, and the bar is popular with locals out for the night. Afternoon tea, with pastries, scones, and cake is available in the Writer's Lounge, and is best shared at oversize windows overlooking O'Connell Street. You might want to pay a little extra for a room with an iconic O'Connell Street view.

Built with business guests in mind, this high-rise hotel in the middle of the International Financial Services Centre has been a surprise hit with all travelers interested in the business of good value and clean, quiet rooms with good amenities. The office-block-like exterior is indistinguishable from many of the financial institutions that surround it, but inside the refurbished public spaces are imaginatively lit and quietly elegant. The bedrooms—big by Dublin standards—are all straight lines and contemporary light-oak furnishings. Shades of blue and taupe create a calm environment (the hotel claims its environment is guided by Eastern philosophy, no less), but for true serenity try to get a room at the front with great views out over the Liffey. The Spencer Cocktail Bar attracts a hip, after-work crowd.

Reconstructed from three 19th-century landmark buildings opposite Trinity College, the Westin is all about location, but the marble pillars, tall mahogany doorways, blazing fireplaces, Palladian marble busts, and period details also set it apart. The central atrium is a hodgepodge of decor: Chippendale reproduction chairs, horse paintings on pale peach walls, turquoise lamps, and too many overstuffed sofas. The bedrooms, on the other hand, are functional, small, and suave, with crisp, white Indian linens, custom-made beds, and 18th century–style oak furniture. The rooms that overlook Trinity College are a little more expensive, but the chance to watch the students in a leisurely game of cricket on a summer weekend makes all the difference. Morelands Grill and Mint Bar are in the original vaults of the bank.

A few doors down from the Abbey Theatre, Wynn's began its life as a Dublin boardinghouse in 1845, and its beautiful stained-glass awning has become something of a landmark as a romantic meeting spot for locals. Although the rooms are not huge, they include nice touches, such as fireplaces and ornate cherrywood beds, and there's a surprising amount of space in the bathrooms. The decor attempts to blend a hint of the past with a sleeker modern look, not always successfully, but overall there's a warm, comforting feel to the design. Abbey Street has an excited buzz around curtain time, but is otherwise very quiet, so you should get a sound sleep. Its restaurant does a pre-theater special where you can pop back for coffee after the show.