Live bands, Irish pubs, dancing, dining, and much more – all just a short flight away in the Capital of Ireland. Here are the best hotels in Dublin, from which I simply couldn’t pick a favourite.
Dublin is cherished for being the City of Literature, and has a lively pub scene all year round. You could be visiting the famous Guinness Store House, going to see the world-renowned Riverdance on their home turf, or dancing the night away in one of the Capital’s most famous pubs, such as The Temple Bar.
Our Top Choices In Dublin
Best For Old-world Luxury – The Shelbourne
Best For Modern Luxury – The Chancery Hotel
Best Boutique Hotel – Number 31
Best Location For Nightlife – Zanzibar Locke
There are loads more reasons to visit Dublin. But where to stay? During my visits to Ireland, I’ve been on the lookout for the best hotels in Dublin. Whether you want luxury, something convenient, or just a place with a bit of character, you’ll find your ideal booking in this little guide.
1: The Merrion Hotel Dublin
The Merrion Hotel is made up of four restored Georgian townhouses. And it’s in a brilliant location, taking just a short walk to reach shops, museums, and some of Dublin’s best galleries. Visit St Stephen’s Green if you get a chance – it’s just a five-minute walk from here.
The hotel itself feels classic and elegant, but also has some surprising modern facilities and touches.
Dining at the Michelin two-star Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud is definitely worth a reservation. Their Garden Room is also very nice, as is their classy cocktail bar, No. 23. The service was friendly and professional, from front of house to dining and cleaning.
If you love a spa then The Merrion is a top option to consider. They have six treatment rooms, the pool is beautiful, and the experience is 5-star here. I had a hot stone massage and it was worth every penny (or euro, I should say).
Throughout the hotel, the atmosphere was calm and refined. It’s the kind of place that feels well thought out, not just fancy for the sake of it.
Location: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 603 0600
2: The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
The Shelbourne is pure grandeur and charm. It dates back to 1824 – there’s nothing artificial or tacky about its old-world luxury. There’s detail everywhere, it felt very Bridgerton and stylish.
The hotel is right next to St Stephen’s Green, so you can easily walk to a load of attractions.
The quality of the dining here was very impressive, with a lot of variety on their menus, too. The staff were standout – very helpful, friendly and professional.
This is another hotel with a high-end spa, and the fitness room and facilities are particularly good.
Location: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 663 4500
3: The Westbury
The Westbury is right in the heart of Dublin. A very good option if you want something with a super central location – so much is within walking distance here. It’s in a quiet spot amongst all the action.
The guest rooms mix Irish and international décor, so it feels comfortable but special too. Dining at WILDE was amazing, and I really enjoyed the afternoon tea in the Gallery – bright room, lots of art, and the staff were brilliant.
For a mellow evening, head to The Sidecar cocktail bar – good drinks, lively but not too loud.
If you want to know anything about where to visit, the gentleman on the door seemed to know anything I asked him and was extraordinarily helpful.
Location: Balfe St, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 679 1122
4: Clontarf Castle Hotel
The Clontarf Castle Hotel is unbelievable, and in a world of its own. It’s set inside a real Norman castle from 1172, and the exterior is impossible to miss.
I wasn’t sure if this stay would be to my taste, but it truly was outstanding. The décor is polished and extravagant, but highly comfortable too.
Inside, the polished décor keeps the castle’s charm alive, but the rooms and common spaces have all the modern comforts you’d expect. I especially liked the Knights bar and the different dining options available. All communal areas had a fantastic atmosphere.
The location is in a quieter part of Dublin, which was a nice break from the city centre hustle; but you’re not too far away either. I’d say this is a very good option for families (though it works very well for couples and business, too).
The staff deserve a mention for their excellent service and friendliness.
Location: Castle Ave, Clontarf East, Dublin 3, D03 W5NO, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 833 2321
5: Number 31
Number 31 is often sold out for two reasons: it’s small, and it’s very popular. It’s a quirky hotel that stands out for being different from all the others, but also has that combination of classic and modern luxury.
It’s got an unusual sunken lobby lounge which is lovely to relax in, and the whole place feels friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was very good, especially the organic options. They also clearly make a lot of effort to bring fresh ingredients to their dining.
My room was gorgeous and plush, very comfortable, clean and quiet. Lots of attention to detail in the rooms and throughout the hotel, from practical to unusual ornaments and things.
I liked being tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, yet still close enough to walk to lots of major attractions. Staff were friendly and very helpful throughout my visit.
This boutique hotel – or perhaps a very fancy B&B – is a wonderful option if you like a more intimate, homely feel with a touch of luxury, and a perfect breakfast to start your day!
Location: 31 Leeson Cl, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 676 5011
6: The Chancery Hotel
The Chancery Hotel has an airy, modern feel about it, and it’s in an excellent location. It’s contemporary and warm, with lots of natural wood and big windows, which is a nice change from a lot of the other hotels you’ll find in Dublin. It also adds some earthy visuals in its décor, which looks gorgeous.
My room was very clean and comfortable, with soft linens, herringbone floors, and handy features like USB ports and smart blinds. The bed was especially comfortable – it’s Irish-made, and I had the best night’s sleep in it. The Terrace Suite was unavailable during my stay, but it overlooks the City from its own garden terrace, and I’d love to book it one day.
The Chancery’s spa, called the Wellness Hub, was wonderful – all designed with natural materials, it’s a retreat you should definitely enjoy while you’re there. The fitness area was good too.
The restaurant here is very relaxed, with some Italian inspired options. The food and service was really good here, and the man-made backdrop outside is a very smart design.
The location is excellent, just a short walk from all that’s great about Dublin.
Location: 21 Ship Street Great, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 554 2900
7: Conrad Dublin
The Conrad Dublin is another shinier option if you prefer things more modern and polished. Everything is very well-maintained and spotless in here, and its warm décor feels classy and comfy.
One of the highest-scoring aspects for this place is how welcoming and wonderful the staff are here. They were all so helpful and nothing was any trouble.
The location is also very good, within close proximity to some of the best parts of Dublin.
Make sure you have breakfast here, it was unbelievably good. Their evening dining was good quality too, with lots of variety and a decent cocktail selection in the evenings.
The rooms are spotless and the quality of their bedding was notable.
The atmosphere at The Conrad was wonderful. Beautiful flower arrangements around the hotel, they clearly take pride in presentation here and the atmosphere remained relaxed even during busy periods.
Location: Earlsfort Terrace, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin, D02 V562, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 602 8900
8: Zanzibar Locke
Zanzibar Locke is as cool as it sounds, with lots of city energy. In terms of location, it’s probably one of the best, especially if you’re in Dublin for the night life – it’s literally right by Ha’Penny Bridge, which is where you’ll find all the best of Irish pubs and live bands.
This place is classed as an aparthotel, so you have cute and glossy kitchenette in your room but also communal areas like a café and stunning bar. There’s no restaurant, because you’re a stone’s throw from everything Dublin has to offer. It’s a really good place to pitch up for an extended stay in Dublin, where you can prep your own meals and walk to everything and anything in Dublin.
The rooms themselves are very clean and modern, and the kitchenettes are fully-equipped. The beds are comfortable, the linen’s fresh, and they have blackout blinds and air conditioning too.
You also have fast Wi-Fi, a gym on-site, and a co-working space if you need to get some work done. It even has a coffee shop in the building, and dog-friendly rooms.
The front desk is open 24/7, so help’s always there if you need it. Weekly cleaning and thoughtful extras like Kinsey Apothecary toiletries made it feel at home but with luxuries on top.
You can also check in early and check out late, which we all know can be super handy. Oh, and this little gem is very affordable, too.
Location: 34-37 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin, D01 H3V5, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 436 3700
9: The Mayson Dublin
The Mayson Dublin is a very popular establishment that sits inside a restored 1870s warehouse, and they’ve kept a lot of its industrial-chic character. Modern, but still very Dublin.
It has exposed brick, stylish furniture, and little details that make it very different to other hotels. My favourite spot had to be the rooftop restaurant, Ryleigh’s, which has views that stretch across Dublin Bay.
The Mayson has won awards for casual dining, and I’d agree with this – the food was very good. It’s relaxed, with decent menus and scenery.
You also have a barber, a gym with a pool and sauna, and a lively pub, and you’re very close to the 3Arena here – so if that’s where you need to be, The Mayson is popular for it.
The rooms have rainfall showers, Dyson hair dryers, Netflix-ready smart TVs, and mini fridges. They’re compact, but they make great use of space – just ask for a view that isn’t facing the neighbouring construction site – though it’s a temporary thing beyond the hotel’s control, other views are great.
Location: 82 N Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin, D01 XR83, Ireland
Contact: +353 1 245 7900
10: Stauntons on the Green
Stauntons on the Green is a stunning building in a beautiful part of Dublin, again right on St Stephen’s Green.
The building is a classic Georgian townhouse that’s been renovated and updated with modern additions. My room looked out over the gardens and it was so peaceful. It felt bright and comfortable, but also elegantly old and traditional.
The complimentary breakfast was lovely, especially overlooking the private gardens. You’re still close to some of the best spots in Dublin here, but in a relaxing little corner of it.
Fun fact: the building next door once belonged to Benjamin Guinness.
Location: 83 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin
Contact: +353 1 478 2300
Conclusion
Dublin in a sensational place to visit, and you can fly there in just 1 hour and 20 minutes from London. When you book matters, a lot. Summer (June to August) is peak season, and hotels fill up fast – so if you had this time of year in mind, get booking as soon as you can. Dublin can also be the most incredible place to spend Christmas and New Year, and again the best hotels in Dublin get booked up quickly for these.
I always try to find something for everyone – Georgian to modern, intimate to large, in the heart of Dublin to pretty outskirts. I think they’re all here. Check them out, and wherever you choose, I hope you had as good a time as I did in the Emerald of Ireland.