24 Best Hotels in Dublin
There’s nothing quite like the Irish welcome. Whether you’re staying in a lavish five star hotel or a funky boutique hostel, you can expect to be met with warmth, friendly chatter, and a lot of opinions about where you should get your first pint. When it comes to hotels, Dublin plays to its strengths—expect plenty of classic Georgian architecture mixed with cool design and functionality, and no matter where it falls on that spectrum, you'll find charm in spades. Here are our picks for the best places to stay in Dublin, with a range of picks to suit your needs.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Aoife O’riordain and Ciara McQuillan.
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Ruth Maria MurphyhotelThe Alex Hotel
$Fresh off a renovation and rebranding, The Alex, which stands on a site formerly occupied by a train station, is officially one of Dublin's cool kids. Its airy lobby is home to a posh co-working space where guests and passersby type away on laptops among sleek Art Deco fixtures and forest-green marble tables. The hotel nods to its history through design details like a ticker sign above the elevators and leather luggage straps affixed to wardrobe drawers. The rooms at The Alex have an endearingly chic vibe. They're outfitted with super-soft beds covered with herringbone throws from Foxford Woolen Mills, an Irish heritage brand; 1950s-style radios; and (supremely useful, but often absent) bedside electrical outlets. Executive-level rooms also have Nespresso machines and offer access to the lounge, a funky little room with regularly replenished snacks and drinks.
Ailbhe O'Donnell/Haddington HouseHaddington House
In the seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire, Haddington House pays homage to the spirit of Adelaide Haddington, a former student at the Ladies College “For the Daughters of Gentlemen” that once occupied this imposing edifice. Overlooking the pier at Dun Laoghaire harbor, there’s great attention to detail via house bicycles, fluffy beach towels, straw beach baskets, and a curated art collection. The icing on the cake is the impressive cocktails at The Parlour Bar and dining in Oliveto restaurant, one of the most highly regarded neighborhood restaurants in the city.
Barry Murphy/Trinity Townhouse Hotel DublinTrinity Townhouse Hotel
Spread across three townhouses dating from the 1730s, in two adjacent buildings with another across the street, this is part of Irish-born Singaporean hotelier Loh Lik Peng’s Unlisted Collection. The rooms channel a gently modern style, paying homage to their Georgian setting in restful tones of dove-gray, mauve, gold, and forest green, with all the necessary frills but no froth. The hotel’s Allta wine bar is currently one of the capital’s hottest tables, where talented chef Niall Davidson mans the stoves, serving up sharing plates of sustainable Irish ingredients—but you’ll need to book in advance for lunch or dinner. Trinity College is one of the nearest neighbors and guests have use of the university’s impressive sports center a short stroll across the campus’s leafy grounds.
Courtesy The Marker HotelhotelThe Marker Hotel
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Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2022Dublin’s Docklands are known as the “Silicon Docks,” with the European headquarters of Facebook, Google, and Airbnb all taking up residence here. The Marker Hotel, a sleek geometric building in the middle of Grand Canal Square, is the district’s unofficial landmark. There’s a hip vibe throughout, from the light-filled lobby to the bedrooms bursting with pops of color. The moodily lit infinity pool is the best in the city, with a eucalyptus-scented steam room. Open seasonally, the rooftop bar has killer views of the city and as far out as the Dublin mountains. Guests have guaranteed access—and you're guaranteed to make friends with the bartenders.
Courtesy Number 31hotelNumber 31
$$Situated in an unassuming location, Number 31 is an under-the-radar property that consists of a stunning Georgian townhouse and a modernist mews linked by a beautiful private garden. Its legendary breakfast, which frequently wins awards, is served family-style at a communal table and consists of fresh breads (including a to-die-for cranberry-orange nut loaf) and preserves, plus cooked-to-order classics like eggs Benedict. This is the best boutique hotel in Dublin, hands down.
Courtesy The WestburyhotelThe Westbury
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Gold List 2020 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023From the second you walk into The Westbury in Dublin and up the grand, bifurcated staircase, it’s hard not to be impressed. Settle into one of The Gallery's plush armchairs for afternoon tea, grab a seat in The Sidecar for a perfect martini, or book a table at WILDE, an impeccable restaurant with a luxurious 1930s feel, for a full meal. Upstairs, the rooms and suites are light-filled and tranquil, with large bathtubs and Irish art; beds are dressed in crisp Lissadell linens and sumptuous Blanc d'Ivoire throws, and bathrooms have marble and heated floors. (If you're really looking to go all out, splurge on the Presidential Suite, a penthouse with its own bar and a huge bathroom—complete with a private sauna and steam room.) The Westbury is a classic city meeting place, and it's ideal for a special occasion—you’ll find guests celebrating big birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. In December, The Gallery is filled with folks taking a break from Christmas shopping on Grafton Street. This is unbridled Irish luxury at its finest, and the service is always exemplary.
Courtesy GeneratorhotelGenerator Dublin
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2022Smithfield is one of the coolest areas in Dublin city, and the square in the middle of the village has undergone a complete transformation in recent years. There’s a reason Generator chose this location for its base in the Irish capital—it matches the hip aesthetic of the luxury hostel brand perfectly. Situated beside the Jameson Distillery (and its striking red-brick tower), the hostel has a hugely social bar that spans the breadth of the building, with whiskey-bottle chandeliers and giant murals. Young and fun, with a party-like atmosphere, this hostel offers remarkable quality and stylishness for the price.
Courtesy Iveagh Garden HotelhotelIveagh Garden Hotel
$Since this hotel opened in 2018, its chic and stylish lobby has attracted many an Instagrammer. The nifty design is evenly distributed throughout, from the Art Deco wallpaper to the uplit library walls. Rooms nod to their setting—a classic Georgian building—but feature cool modern touches, like a golden geometric light that hangs from a coffered ceiling in one of the suites. Padded gray headboards offer a contemporary edge, and bursts of color come in the form of mustard and turquoise. Iveagh Garden isn't just all show and no substance—rather awesomely, it sources its energy from an underground river.
Shane O'NeillhotelThe Cliff Townhouse
$$The buildings that line St. Stephen's Green are among the most impressive in Dublin—grand Georgian structures with creeping ivy and arched doorways. Today one of these buildings is home to Cliff Townhouse, a small hotel that feels almost like a restaurant with rooms. The seafood served in the beautiful dining room is some of the best in town, and the marble-topped Oyster and Champagne Bar is the perfect spot for knocking back a half-dozen oysters and a screaming-cold glass of bubbly. Four of Cliff's nine rooms overlook the park—obviously these are the ones to go for. Light-filled thanks to large sash windows, they're outfitted with plaid pillows, Donegal tweed blankets, and padded velvet headboards.
Barry MurphyhotelFitzwilliam Hotel Dublin
$$Never one to shy away from color or pizazz, The Fitzwilliam is a Dublin hotel that will stop at nothing to please guests, from the airy lobby scented with lemongrass to the sexy bar tucked away at the back. It’s also home to Glover's Alley, a new restaurant with a pink 1920s dining room and a French-inspired menu. Rooms feature pops of color throughout—some even sport chartreuse bathtubs—and quaintly packaged Murdock toiletries (apparently one of Michelle Obama’s favorite brands). Before your stay, someone will call to ask about what you want from your room and how he or she can help make your trip the best it can be. It’s an old-fashioned touch that makes all the difference.
Courtesy InterContinental DublinhotelInterContinental Dublin
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019Formerly the Four Seasons, the InterContinental Dublin is tucked away in the leafy and well-to-do district of Ballsbridge. The luxurious notes hit you the moment you step through the door, when you’re met with crystal chandeliers and swaths of marble. The Lobby Lounge, with navy armchairs and gold couches, is a popular spot to sit with a glass of wine or cup of tea and people-watch; it also affords a great view of the inner courtyard garden through its Victorian-style conservatory windows. Even the entry-level rooms are ample and luxurious, with silky-soft beds and bathtubs so deep that even the tallest among us can take a soak. While you’ll certainly be taken care of, you won't be bothered—no one's going to ask you if you’re okay every five minutes. Which is refreshing.
David CantwellhotelConrad Dublin
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2022Located across from the National Concert Hall and just a few minutes from two of Dublin’s most beautiful parks, the Conrad benefits from its dreamy location. Although its setting hasn’t changed, its 2017 renovation cemented its reputation as one of the most impressive hotels in town. The bright lobby, which draws influences from the nearby Iveagh Gardens, is filled with branch-like light fixtures and neutral greens—a color scheme that continues in the rooms. Another impressive thing to come from the refurb is The Coburg, a sexy brasserie with impeccable food. Rooms are muted and calming, with woven blankets, Irish art, Nespresso machines, and international charging stations. Some have private balconies—a rarity in Dublin.
Dawid Kalisinski/AlamyThe Mayson
There is a lot going on under The Mayson’s multiple roofs. Sitting on the north bank of the river in one of the capital’s rapidly regenerating neighborhoods, this former docker’s pub and adjacent redbrick 19th-century timber warehouse have been given a radical makeover. Rooms have a stylish retro feel with brass, exposed-brick walls, wood and vibrant colors and run the range from small to spacious, with excellent showers and on-trend amenities such as Dyson hair dryers, mini Smeg fridges, Marshall speakers, Nespresso machines, and Netflix-enabled TVs. From Ryleigh’s, the top-floor steakhouse, there are spectacular views of the River Liffey, Dublin Bay and the Poolbeg Pier. Then there is the Bottle Boy Pub, a traditional-style Dublin boozer; the old-school Green Dolphin Barbers; and the basement Power Gym with relaxation pool, steam room, and sauna.
Courtesy The DeanhotelThe Dean Hotel
$$Every tiny aspect of The Dean is hip, from the Tracey Emin neon art over the desk—it spells out “I Fell In Love Here”—to the in-room mini-Smeg fridges and record players. Even the teeny Pod Rooms, with their padded three-wall headboards and Marshall amps, somehow work. A rooftop bar, Sophie’s, is always filled to the brim, as is the lobby bar (which offers live entertainment). If you’re joining the party? Great. If you're hoping for a peaceful night's sleep? Look elsewhere.
Barry MurphyhotelThe Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020The Shelbourne is more than just a hotel. It holds a place in the heart of many Dubliners and is essential to the fabric of the city. One of the oldest hotels in the city, it has welcomed dignitaries from all over the world since opening in 1824—the Irish Constitution was even drafted in one of the upstairs rooms. Its history is inescapable. Pay a visit to the tiny Shelbourne Museum in the reception area to see hefty guest books from throughout the ages, menus from the early 20th century, and letters from former guests. The famed bar, No. 27, is oft referred to as Dublin's living room. To stay at The Shelbourne is to step back in time and live out your Georgian fantasies. It’s luxurious, it’s distinguished, and it’s always worth a visit.
Ashley MorrisonhotelDylan Hotel
$$The recently renovated Dylan is fun, stylish, and well thought through. The original rooms have retained their quirky details, such as oversized misshaped armchairs or bedside lights shaped like branches. The new rooms, meanwhile, are an absolute delight, with minimalist copper night tables and padded headboards that curve ever so slightly around the bed. Because the hotel isn't located quite in the city center, the surrounding streets are blissfully quiet without being too far from the action. On a nice day, you can move like a cat to follow the sun—the front terrace gets all the morning light, while the new back patio is great for afternoon tanning.
Noel Bennett/AlamyThe Wilder Townhouse
When it was first built in the 1870s, this handsome Victorian redbrick served as a home for retired governesses, but in its modern-day mode, guests are more of a mix of weekending couples and visitors from overseas. It’s set back from one of central Dublin’s prettiest, tucked-away residential streets, with the Grand Canal at one end, and there is little to disturb the peace, since it’s also residents only. The comfortably kitted-out rooms with their oak parquet floors, jeweled tones and velvet throws are dotted throughout the three floors, the welcoming touches more house than hotel. There’s no restaurant, but the charming House of Hackney-wallpapered Gin & Tea Rooms serves up breakfast, cocktails, and snacks to keep the munchies at bay.
Peter Bischoff/GettyArthaus
On Mercer Street—at the back of the St.Stephens Green Shopping Center—the location of this boutique is hard to beat. Inside, rooms embrace a Bauhaus aesthetic via vibrant geometric prints, along with original artwork, walnut wood panelling, brass detailing, and pocket sliding doors. Breakfast at Lazlo’s Bar and Restaurant is varied and portions generous while the cocktail menu is expansive with good mocktail options too. St. Stephens Green is a five-minute walk and Camden Street with its late-night bars is just around the corner.
Courtesy The MerrionhotelThe Merrion
$$$ | Gold List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023The Merrion was created from four townhouses that date back to the 1760s; as striking as the façade may be, nothing compares to the interior. The lobby, all marble columns and doormen in top hats, leads to a plush drawing room where guests take tea by a roaring fire. The food here is exceptional; the hotel is home to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, one of only two two-Michelin-starred spots in Ireland, and the Garden Room, which is set within the hotel's manicured private garden. There’s a large collection of private art (you can take self-guided tours with an audio headset), too. A timeless treasure, this is one of the finest hotels in Dublin, if not in all of Ireland.
hotelBrooks Hotel
$A Dublin institution, Brooks Hotel is an unassuming bolthole in the heart of the Creative Quarter. Beloved by regulars, Brooks has become something of an institution thanks to its welcoming staff and home-away-from-home atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and cozy with tactile furnishings in a muted palette including fluffy Foxford blankets and toiletries from The White Company.
The onsite cinema is magical at Christmas and if you are lucky enough, the concierge Conor will regale you with stories and gossip from his many years at Brooks. The breakfast spread is impressive; Brooks is one of only a few hotels in Dublin that still offers a buffet to graze on before the main event. The Irish porridge with double cream and whiskey is a must.
Courtesy Clontarf Castle HotelhotelClontarf Castle Hotel
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019Set at the end of a tree-lined driveway just two miles from the city center, Clontarf Castle is an imposing castellated holding by the sea in the suburb of Clontarf. Dating from the 1600s, the castle itself is awash with suits of armour and heraldry, while suites are suitably palatial and ornate with four posters. Some even come with telescopes to take in the views over the cityscape. The full Irish breakfast is first class with only top quality local ingredients making the cut and the staff are genuinely eager to please. Dining options include gastropub Knights Bar where the decor personifies the spirit of the building with ornate vaulted ceilings and leather banquettes. It’s the perfect place to pull up a pew and sample the castle's pale ale, appropriately named Cluain Tarbh (Clontarf in Gaelic) which is brewed locally by Dublin brewery, Five Lamps. For more formal dining, Fahrenheit restaurant serves classical cuisine made with local produce and traditionalists will enjoy the carvery lunch in the Indigo Bar which spills out onto the terrace when the sun shines. It’s a good dose of the best of true Irish hospitality.
Henrietta SuitesHenrietta Suites
Not strictly a hotel, but architecture or history buffs should not miss the chance to check-in to Henrietta Suites. In its 18th-century heyday—Henrietta Suites was situated on Dublin’s most stately residential street. The fashionable decamped south of the River Liffey and by the 1970s Number 3 had become a run-down, overcrowded tenement. Now you can have it almost to yourself, as it was rescued from ruin to preserve this precious piece of Dublin’s architectural story. There are just eight suites oozing aristocratic appeal and the Georgian grandeur that does not disappoint—you can lie in the four-poster bed of the King Suite and marvel at the ravishing, Rococo stucco-work ceiling far above your head.
hotelKelly's Hotel Dublin
$Situated right on the bustling South Great George’s Street, Kelly’s is a hotel that's still a bit of a secret, even among Dubliners. The property blends rustic red-brick charm with clean modern touches; it's home to Bar With No Name, one of the hottest drinking dens in town. The fairly basic rooms are uncluttered and sleek, with bright white walls, linens, and bed frames. The furniture has an industrial, raw feel to it; hooks, for instance, stand in for full wardrobes. For a hotel stay that doesn’t compromise on style—and doesn’t break the budget—you can’t beat Kelly’s.
The Hendrick Hotel DublinThe Hendrick
A large fragment of graffitied wall in the reception sets the tone for The Hendrick. The chunk, signed by the band members of U2, was part of the original Windmill Lane Recording Studios, whose walls became a pilgrimage site for fans the world over to scribble their appreciation. The theme continues across the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms with a 270-piece-strong collection of urban art, a mixture of graffiti, and street art from both Irish and international artists, such as American star Kaws. The hotel is set in Dublin’s Smithfield area, and there’s a youthful feel, with utilitarian rooms that are compact but comfortable, with a choice of doubles and bunks sleeping three. Guests are encouraged to linger over coffee or cocktails in the buzzy ground-floor bar and then head out to unlock the area’s thriving scene.
This gallery was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
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