5-star hotels in Dublin: a chic stay in the capital city

There’s luxury and then there’s The Fitzwilliam. The menu at the hotel’s acclaimed Glovers Alley restaurant alone makes splashing out on a stay here worth it. Headed by Michelin-starred chef Andy McFadden, winner of the Food & Wine Awards Best Chef 2018 title, the kitchen blends the finest of local produce with French flavours in dishes like melt-in-the-mouth Irish suckling pig in a Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar. Once you’re seated, take a moment to look around and admire the art deco-inspired interior – think rich velvets and polished brass – before the impeccable service sweeps you off your feet.

Now your boutique room awaits. Grand, tufted headboards, marble-topped tables and vases of fresh freesias remind you of the hotel’s 5-star status. Sink your feet into the plush carpet before slipping under your duck-down duvet for a restorative night’s sleep. In the morning, it’s a mere 15 minute stroll to iconic sights like the imposing Dublin Castle – dating back to the 18th century – from your central location on St Stephen’s Green. After a morning of walking the city, warm up by sampling Irish whiskey blends on a tour of the Jameson Distillery, around 10 minutes away by taxi, or ask one of the hotel’s concierges about places off the beaten track.

The futuristic chequerboard facade of the Marker hotel stands out in Dublin’s regenerated Docklands area. In the lobby and the Marker Hotel Bar, the design aesthetic is every bit as striking, with sharply angled cave-like walls and ceilings. Check in and head up to your room, where you’ll find contemporary decor – look out for throws and soft furnishings in zesty hues offsetting grey and cream tones on the walls and bed linen. Refresh in the rainfall shower with complimentary Malin+Goetz toiletries. Then, take five and catch up on a show with the state-of-the-art, in-room entertainment system.

After a stroll along Dublin’s Grand Canal, less than 5 minutes away, head to the hotel’s spa for a dip in its emerald green infinity pool. Book an aromatherapy massage like the Muscle Melt and bask in warming scents such as Spanish rosemary and black pepper, or sit back in the eucalyptus-infused steam room. Therapeutic facials, body wraps and scrubs that use natural ingredients are also available alongside waxing and nail treatments. Finish your weekend with a lavish meal at the Brasserie where the menu includes treats like oysters and venison rump. If the weather permits, experience a panoramic view of the city from the sparkling rooftop terrace with a skilfully crafted cocktail in hand – think gin and tonic mojitos and watermelon martinis.

For an indulgent weekend of pampering, check in at the Shelbourne. A highlight of this luxury hotel is its lavish spa. Try a body wrap incorporating fragrances such as Tahitian coconut and frangipani to leave your skin glowing. The treatment list also includes massages, facials and scrubs to help you find your zen. Afterwards, sip a glass of cava in the relaxation room overlooking Dublin’s famous St Stephen’s Green. If a girls’ night out is scheduled, you can prime and prep with a mani-pedi or hair styling in the salon.

From the glittering chandeliers in the lobby to the 32 specially commissioned stained-glass windows scattered throughout the building, the decor here is definitely photo-worthy. Guest rooms are just as extravagant, combining polished oak bedside tables with sumptuous velvet headboards. Sleep peacefully on your pillowtop mattress draped with Italian linens. Your weekend won’t be complete without sampling the acclaimed high tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge – try freshly baked pastries like buttermilk scones, served with cream and jam. The evening menu includes local dishes like Castletownbere salmon and soup with home-made Guinness-infused bread. If cocktails are the order of the day, try a signature punch mixed with ingredients like chargrilled pineapple or pomegranate at the oak-panelled 1824 bar.

For a peaceful start to your romantic break, take a seat in the Lobby Lounge at the Hotel Intercontinental and survey the serene, tree-lined courtyard. Linger here over an Irish breakfast tea and some freshly baked pastries. Ready to explore? The leafy Herbert Park is 14 minutes away on foot, or hail a taxi to take you to the National Gallery, where you can see works by Picasso and Ireland’s most famous painters, including Jack B. Yeats. Return to this elegant haven for contemporary Irish cuisine at the Seasons Restaurant and dine on local dishes like Irish Hereford Beef braised ribs and Clare Island salmon.

Guest rooms are lavish, blending teal, purple and golden hues – suites offer more space, and your own private bar for a quiet nightcap. Duck-down duvets encourage a peaceful night’s sleep, and you’ll wake up to views of the Dublin skyline from your expansive window. Refresh in your extra-deep soaking tub with L’Occitane toiletries before heading to the spa for an ESPA facial or a couple’s massage – the menu includes a range of options, so you and your partner can experience a soothing deep muscle treatment, aromatherapy or Swedish massage. Make full use of the hot tub and look out over the private patio, then finish with a few gentle lengths in the indoor pool.

Waterford chandeliers and a glass atrium are just some of the impressive features the Westin gained during its transformation from a grand, 19th-century bank into a 5-star hotel. Touches such as signature Westin Heavenly Beds, Bulgari White Tea toiletries and Nespresso machines in all rooms seal the deal for an unforgettable break. Fancy a spot of reading before bed? The Book Butler has you sorted with an ever-changing library of good reads. Order a soothing camomile tea from the 24-hour room service menu and settle in with a modern or classic title.

Situated directly opposite Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university (founded in 1592), you have the bustling city on your doorstep. Head to Grafton Street for flower stalls, buskers and quaint cafés nestled among high-street fashion stores, or to the Temple Bar, adjacent, for traditional Irish music. In the evening, make a reservation at the hotel’s speakeasy, The Mint Bar. Concealed in the former bank’s vaults, it’s an intimate place for dinner and drinks. Share an Irish seafood dish such as Carlingford oysters and then let the bar’s craft cocktails be the centrepiece for your evening. The list includes beverages brimming with Irish flavour, such as Dingle Gin with rosemary bitters and Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey with marmalade.

Voted ‘Number 1 Hotel in Ireland’ by Condé Naste Traveller Readers’ Choice 2018, the Westbury sets the scene for a weekend of indulgence. Just a 9 minute walk from the lights and music of Temple Bar, it’s ideally located for a celebratory break with the girls. Toast to the weekend at the 30s-inspired Sidecar bar with a Gin Sling, or cosy up under a McNutt of Donegal woollen blanket on the terrace. The hotel’s interior has an art-deco influence that continues through the lobby, with its plush velvet chairs and polished brass light fixtures, to the WILDE restaurant, where trailing greenery brings the outdoors inside.

Recover from the night before with a healthy take on the full Irish breakfast at Balfes, the hotel’s American-style eatery – think poached eggs, avocado and turkey bacon. Then, prep for another day in the city with the Aromatherapy Associates amenities in your marble bathroom. Pillow-topped beds and underfloor heating ensure you’re comfortable throughout your stay whatever the season. Suites here combine function and style with lavish four-poster beds, made up with Lissadell linens, and cutting-edge entertainment systems. Book a studio or a room with a separate living area to unwind on your own sofa.

With 4 acres of gardens leading up to a 16th-century Georgian mansion, Radisson Blu St Helen’s is a fairy-tale setting for an anniversary celebration. Settle in for the weekend in a room overlooking the patios and fountains in the grounds. Pamper yourself with your complimentary thisworks toiletries before sinking into your bed that’s made up with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets. Guest rooms are homely with huge headboards and high-backed armchairs – some even have open fires. The warm crackle of the flames is a welcome sight after a refreshing wander down at the sandy shoreline, just an 11 minute walk away.

Italian Head Chef Giancarlo Anselmi combines the flavours of his home country with fine local produce at the hotel’s Talavera restaurant. Dishes like Wexford lamb served up with pappardelle pasta bring a taste of Tuscany to the Irish coast, while candlelit tables set the tone for an evening of romance. Continue your night at the Orangerie Bar. Take a seat beneath the domed glass conservatory and look out over the gardens while you sip an Italian prosecco. Come back the next day for afternoon tea with fresh scones, creamy Irish butter and Laurent Perrier champagne.

Lanterns light up the red carpet extended to you, your travelling companion and your pet at the entrance of the Dylan Hotel, hinting at the 5-star treatment to come. In your room, you’ll find an iPod pre-loaded with walking tours of historic Dublin. So you can set out and explore the city straight away, or take it easy by settling in at the Dylan Bar for a freshly brewed Americano. When evening rolls around, tempting dinners are served at the Tavern restaurant. Take a seat in a tufted booth and sample local produce such as Irish venison and Dunany crab. Finish up with a dessert for two, like the Fairground, a sweet toffee treat topped with candy floss.

The Dylan caters to four-legged travellers with pet-friendly rooms, complete with plush beds, bowls and the option of a pet spa. For humans, luxury linens and memory foam mattresses top hand-carved beds in each guest room. Unexpected touches such as ghds and Beleek pottery displays heighten the experience. Ease your muscles under your rainfall shower and make full use of your Handmade Soap Co. toiletries before heading down for dinner or out to a show. In-room massages also can be arranged with the front desk.

Situated directly across from the National Concert Hall, the Conrad Hotel places you in the heart of the culturally rich city. Inside the grand lobby, marble, tile and modern works of art blend seamlessly. Check in and head straight up to your spacious guest room, which welcomes you in with thick carpets and woollen throws. Bespoke Irish artwork above the beds and fresh greenery in all rooms offsets the minimalist decor. Suites enhance the luxurious experience with elegant parquet flooring and views out over Conrad courtyard.

After pulling your own pint on a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, a 10 minute taxi ride away, head back to the hotel for refreshments. For a casual evening, drop into Alfie Byrne’s, the hotel’s American-themed bar. Pick from the list of 33 craft ales on draught, including Irish lagers from the Galway Bay Brewery. If whiskey is more to your taste, there are 30 Irish and American blends to choose from. Planning a romantic meal? Book a table at the hotel’s restaurant, the Coburg, where low lighting sets the tone for an intimate evening. Choice mains here include dry-aged fillet steak and succulent rack of Irish lamb – dishes to linger over with your other half.