Luxury hotels in Dublin for a swanky weekend break in the capital

With a stay at The Merrion, you can start your weekend with some top fine dining. This city centre hotel is home to Ireland’s only two Michelin-starred eatery, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud. Try dishes like slow-roasted partridge and dark chocolate tart while you take in the artwork on display. Fancy some arty culture? Browse the hotel’s very own collection of 19th and 20th-century art – one of the largest private collections in the country. You can learn about works by the likes of Mainie Jellett and Paul Henry with the free audio tour.

Refined 18th-century elegance meets modern amenities in the guest rooms – think fresh, airy spaces in shades of cream and grey. Sink your feet into the lovely soft carpets after a shower in the Carrara marble bathroom – complimentary Asprey toiletries up the luxury factor. Each room has a comfy premium bed, with 400 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets to snuggle into. Come the morning, sit back with an espresso from your Nespresso machine and catch up on the papers before dropping into the spa. That’s real relaxation for you!

Start your morning with a lap of the pool at the Tethra Spa, and treat yourself to an Indian head massage to help any tensions disappear. The menu here includes wraps, scrubs, massages and facials, as well as waxing and tanning, using products by luxury brands such as ESPA and Darphin.

We reckon you’ll emerge glowing from head to toe after a trip to the spa at The Shelbourne. Envelope yourself in the sweet smell of coconut with a frangipani body wrap, which nourishes the skin, followed by a blissful session in the sauna. Massages, facials and scrubs are also available, as well as maternity treatments – great for treating a mum-to-be on a baby shower. Prepping for a night out? Have your hair and make-up done by the professionals at The Salon.

For a celebratory dinner, book a table in the Saddle Room. Gold booths hint at the hotel’s 5-star status and the menu delivers favourites like loin of Wicklow venison and pan-seared Atlantic halibut. Take the party on to the No. 27 Bar and Lounge, where huge windows look out onto St Stephen’s Green and brass lamps add to the cosy atmosphere. A vibrant spot to start a night out, the bar regularly puts on live music. The innovative cocktail menu includes mixes like the Shelbourne Bramble ­– a tasty blend of gin and summer fruits.

When you’re ready for bed you’ll find an enticing pillowtop mattress and fluffy robe awaiting you. The decor reflects the building’s Victorian history, with dramatic wooden headboards, polished oak furniture and heavy jacquard curtains. For a romantic break, upgrade to a premium room and wake up to views of leafy St Stephen’s Green.

The modern checkerboard structure of The Marker stands out in Dublin’s docklands area. Inside, this place is packed with atmospheric areas. Order a slice of carrot cake and snack al-fresco at the Marker Bar, which has an outdoor terrace on Grand Canal Square. For a view of the city’s skyline, head up to the rooftop, where you can join a yoga session in the spring and summer months. Or, opt to take it easy with a cucumber and elderflower martini from the Rooftop Bar and Terrace.

The docklands location opens you up to Dublin’s arts and culture. Watch a musical at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, which is steps from the hotel, or catch a local legend at the Laughter Lounge comedy club, just a 20 minute walk away. You can also spend a lazy day unwinding in the Marker’s spa, which has a host of massages, facials, wraps and scrubs on its menu. Choose the Lavender Dreams Ultimate Experience for all-over pampering, before a relaxing session in the eucalyptus steam room. There’s a Jacuzzi, sauna and infinity pool, too.

As for rooms, there’s luxury in every detail – from the designer Philippe Starck lamps to the Villeroy and Boch sinks and showers. Floor-to-ceiling windows let natural light flood in and citrus bedspreads add a playful finish. Freshen up with the Malin+Goetz toiletries before catching up on a show with the state-of-the-art entertainment system.

Urban meets Art Deco at The Morgan. Recently made over by Irish architect Nikki O’Donnel, this city centre hotel is an ideal base for a luxurious weekend. Leather headboards and industrial lamps bring a modern feel to guest rooms, while pops of lime and fuchsia liven the vibe. Step into your monsoon power shower and take a moment with your Handmade Soap Company toiletries before heading out. Egyptian cotton linens and a fluffy robe wait to welcome you back.

Gather the girls for a night at the hotel’s lively restaurant and bar, 10 Fleet Street. Sink into a teal velvet chair underneath the mirrored ceiling – a great spot for a photo op – and pick from the menu of classics like lamb rump and gnocchi. Follow your meal with a signature cocktail like the Fleet Street Spritz: a sweet blend of prosecco and berries. Ready to hit the town? Your hotel sits right on the cobbled streets of Temple Bar, so fun is never far away.

Recoup the morning after with a dip in the 18 meter pool at the West Wood Club. It’s just a few minute’s walk away and is free to guests of The Morgan. If you’re up to it, you can tag onto a hot yoga or Zumba class, too. Then, head back to 10 Fleet Street for an afternoon tea complete with a refreshing tea infusion like ginger and lemongrass or an indulgent glass of brut.

Walk in the footsteps of Queen Victoria and Charlie Chaplin at the Royal Marine hotel. This Victorian seaside hotel overlooks Dublin Bay and has direct access to Dún Laoghaire Promenade and Pier. Between brisk walks on the sands and wellness sessions in the Sansana Spa, you’ll feel glowing. Ease into your weekend in the waterbed relaxation room, rock sauna, aromatherapy room or mud chamber. Or, try out the hydrotherapy chamber and experience shower. Finish up with an energising Voya seaweed facial. Massages, wraps, scrubs and beauty treatments from manis and pedis to waxing are also available.

Rooms here are as relaxing as the spa. Sink into your pillowtop bed with crisp Egyptian bed linens and look out onto the sweeping bay. Many guest rooms have views over the water – for a romantic stay, ask for one when booking. A warm blend of cream, brown and red shades makes each room inviting, while amenities like tea and coffee makers give you the comforts of home.

Prepare for a coastal ramble with a freshly brewed Americano or peppermi here). Its high ceilings, open fire and grand piano are elegant yet welcoming. After a walk along the promenade, head to the Dun Restaurant for dinner. Grand black chandeliers bring a modern vibe to the original Victorian decor. Snuggle up in a private booth and pick from the menu, which includes tasty dishes like sticky pork belly and crispy sea bass.

Live like a king or queen for the weekend at the 12th-century Clontarf Castle Hotel. From the moss-clad front to the sweeping staircase and chandeliers in the lobby, this hotel is full of grand details to make your short stay memorable. Celebrating an anniversary? Book into a suite and stretch out in a four-poster bed as you look out onto the mountains or sea from your window. Standard rooms are a little more modern, with accents of pink and purple and printed scatter cushions. Sink into your pillowtop mattress and stream a show on the 55 inch interactive TV.

Head to the Knights Bar to warm up by one of the open fireplaces. The old-world charm carries through from the lobby with polished wood floors, deep armchairs and a big oak bar. Settle down and pick a sharing charcuterie board platter, featuring baked Limerick ham hock terrine, Connemara air-dried ham, Cashel blue cheese, and St Tola’s goat’s cheese. Walk it off with a stroll along Clontarf waterfront – just 10 minutes away.

Keep the regal treatment going and book a table in the two AA Rosette-awarded Fahrenheit restaurant. A dramatic beamed ceiling, deep velvet chairs and low lighting add to the snug feel. Pick from classics like seared scallops and North Atlantic halibut, then toast the weekend with a Teeling whiskey before bed. In the morning, the Royal Dublin Golf Course is a 10 minute drive away, so you can practise your putting among the leafy countryside before (or after) breakfast.