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The 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre by Astrid Hofer IB4UD

The 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre

Dublin has no shortage of accommodation options. But don’t just opt for the first (and cheapest) place in town. A cosy base is key to an enjoyable stay in Ireland’s capital, no matter if you come here for fun or business.

And as we all know that finding that perfect home away from home can be pretty time-consuming, we have done the homework for you. Take a look at our selection of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre below.

10. Blooms Hotel – a colourful stay in Temple Bar

Blooms Hotel is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: www.blooms.ie

Colourful Blooms Hotel in Temple Bar is just a stone’s throw from Dublin Castle and Trinity College, making it an ideal sightseeing base. The rooms and apartments come with all the modern amenities you’d need for a city break (or a business stay), including a flat TV.

The hotel has its own downstairs pub with live Irish music seven days a week and optional cocktail mixing classes. Fancy a dance? “Club M,” an institution among Dublin’s in-crowd, is housed in the very same building, meaning you can party the night away without having to worry about jackets, umbrellas, and a cab back home.

Prices: Average €119 per night

Address: 3-6 Anglesea St, Dublin 2

9. Marlin Hotel – a luxury hipster playground

Marlin Hotel is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: marlinhotel.ie

Just a few minutes’ walk from Grafton Street, newly opened Marlin Hotel is a luxury hipster playground with an industrial nod. The sculptural tree, red Vespa, and horsebox doubling as a coffee station in the lobby are great for Instagram pictures, while the self-check-in minimises waiting times at the reception.

We love the co-working groundfloor with super-fast Wi-Fi, as well as the vast vinyl collection in the library area. The 300 rooms and suites come with luxury double beds, a smart TV, illuminating mirrors, automated blackout blinds, and a Bluetooth speaker.

The hotel’s restaurant offers buffet-style breakfast as well as organic wines, craft beers, and all the traditional Irish foods.

Prices: Average €119 per night

Address: 11 Bow Lane East, Dublin 2

8. Aloft Dublin City – a favourite of millenials

Aloft is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: marriott.co.uk

This brand new 202-bedroom hotel on Mill Street in the heart of The Liberties has quickly become one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre, especially popular with the tech-savvy millennial crowd. Part of the Marriott International Inc, colourful and stylish Aloft Dublin City looks like something straight out of an influencer’s Instagram feed.

Upon arrival, head to the seventh floor for check-in. Instead of keys, doors open with QR codes, and if you want to order room service, just send an emoji (!) to the WhatsApp concierge called “Lofty.”

A highlight not to be missed is “The WXYZ bar” with chic decors, huge windows for stunning city views, and an all-day food and drinks menu.

Address:  1 Mill St, The Liberties, Dublin, Dublin 8

7. The Dean Hotel – the funky yet affordable hotel

The Dean Hotel is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: deandublin.ie

If you are looking for something affordable with a funky touch, The Dean Hotel, five minutes off Grafton Street and surrounded by bars and clubs, is your best bet. The stylish four-star hotel in a Georgian townhouse sports a hipster retro vibe with chrome tables, wood-burning stoves, and old-school vinyl players.

The rooms are modern, colourful, fun, and suitable for couples, solo travellers, families, and groups of friends alike (for the latter, we highly recommend the chic bunk beds!).

If you love rooftop terraces just like we do, head to “Sophie’s bar and restaurant” on-site and enjoy 360-degree panoramic views over the city, the sea, and the mountains while sipping a cocktail.

Prices: Average €159 per night

Address: 33 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2

6. The Alex – a refuge with industrial 1950s vibes

The Alex is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: thealexhotel.ie

The Alex (formerly known as O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel) around the corner from Trinity College has an industrial 1950s vibe—think sleek furnishing, plush sofas, steel, and lots of natural light. The chic Work Hub in the lobby with extra fast wifi makes it ideal for everyone in town for business or freelancers and tech junkies catching up with their emails.

The rooms and suites are modern yet cosy, and we are fans of all the works of local artists on the walls, the super kingsize beds, and the rainforest showers. Hungry? The hotel restaurant has an all-day menu with customized salad bowls and tapas, which are especially popular.

Prices: Average €189 per night

Address: 41-47 Fenian St, Dublin 2

5. The Clarence Hotel – Bono’s rock-and-roll hotel

The Clarence Hotel is one of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre
Credit: theclarence.ie

Owned by U2’s Bono and The Edge, The Clarence Hotel is considered Dublin’s original boutique rock-and-roll hotel. The five-star place is located on Wellington Quay in Temple Bar and offers 48 double rooms as well as a Garden Terrace and a Penthouse Suite, all coming with wooden towel rails and original Irish pieces of art emphasizing the hotel’s traditional touch.

Besides the on-site restaurant “Clever East,” we especially recommend the comfy eight-sided hotel bar “Octagon”, known for their delicious cocktails and a great place for people-watching. If you are looking for some quiet time, head to “The Study” opposite the reception and enjoy a glass of wine at the fireplace.

Prices: Average €170 per nighy

Address: 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2

4. The Marker Hotel – a stylish waterside spot

The Marker Hotel offers stylish accommodation by the docklands

Love the docklands? The stylish Marker Hotel is located right at the waterside and boasts spectacular views from both the rooms and the rooftop terrace. Easily recognisable by its checkerboard façade, a Dublin landmark of its own, the hotel is beloved for its sleek and modern rooms as well as its award-winning spa, including a 23-metre long infinity pool.

Nestled between the Liffey and the Grand Canal, a short stroll from Sandymount Beach and a 20-minute-walk to Temple Bar, this hotel is ideal for cosmopolitan guests with a weak spot for everything water. Escape the city buzz by the ocean or hop on a sailing boat around the corner from the hotel.

Prices: Average €254 per night

Address: Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2

3. The Shelbourne – for a five-star treat

The Shelbourne is a five-star hotel in Ireland's capital
Credit: @theshelbournedublin / Instagram

Easily recognisable by its signature red-brick Victorian façade, The Shelbourne overlooking St Stephen’s Green, just a few minutes walk from Grafton Street, has been a Dublin institution ever since it opened in 1824. Easily one of the best hotels in Dublin city centre, the five-star venue boasts everything you’d expect from a traditional luxury place, like open fireplaces, glittering chandeliers, and countless antiques.

The rooms and suites have kingsize beds and fancy marble bathrooms. The hotel also has an opulent spa, a beauty salon, and a small barber’s shop. And its elegant restaurant “The Saddle Room” ranks among the favourites of Dublin’s gourmets. “The Lord Mayor’s Lounge” is a fixture on the city’s social scene, with the occasional celebrity popping in.

Prices: Average €299 per night

Address: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

2. The Westbury – top-notch accommodation in a prime location

The Westbury is located in the heart of Dublin
Credit: www.doylecollection.com

The family-owned Westbury was voted “Best Hotel in Ireland” in the “Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Reader’s Choice Awards,” and it’s easy to see why: The five-star-hotel is opulent and luxurious, with spacious, bright rooms, chandeliers, and Nespresso machines. Yet, it has managed to keep a cosy, casual vibe.

This place is ideal for sophisticated travellers looking for top-notch accommodation at a prime location in the heart of Dublin. The in-house cafe “The Gallery” is a beloved spot for afternoon tea with locals and visitors alike, while the 1930s inspired “The Sidebar” is ideal to end your day in style.

Prices: Average €349

Address: Balfe Street, Dublin 2

1. The Merrion – the best of the best
The Merrion is considered to be Dublin's best hotel

The 142-bedroom and suite hotel tops both our ranking of the 10 best hotels in Dublin city centre and the TripAdvisor readers’ one. If open fireplaces, antiques, and an extensive art collection are your cup of tea, this is your place to be. The hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin has a quiet courtyard garden and a luxury spa including a pool and various beauty treatments.

The rooms come with queen-sized beds, docking stations, laptop-sized safes and more than 100 television channels. We especially enjoy the hotel’s casual Cellar Bar in the original 18th-century wine vaults. If you are up for fancy, head to the in-house two-star Michelin restaurant “Patrick Guilbaud.”

Prices: Average €300 per night

Address: Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2

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