Expert recommendations for the top accommodations in four price ranges: budget ($), moderate ($$), expensive ($$$), and luxury ($$$$).
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Avalon House
Guesthouse and hostel popular with young travelers; polished wood floors and crackling fireplaces; good café serving a hearty continental breakfast; safe neighborhood and lively atmosphere. 55 Aungier Street, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 475 0001. www.avalon-house.ie
Abbott Lodge Guesthouse
Cozy Georgian guesthouse; 29 simple rooms; wooden beds, colorful linens, walls brightly painted in yellows and reds; no in-house restaurant, but knowledgeable staff will point you to good restaurants and bars nearby. 87–88 Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin 1; tel. +353 0 1 836 5548. www.abbottlodge.com
Isaacs Hostel
Four-story, renovated wine warehouse; 300 beds in private and dorm rooms; light breakfast included; Swedish-style sauna, Internet lounge, currency exchange, coffee shop, on-site deli offering sandwiches and muffins by day, and a restaurant next door offering lasagna and pasta at night; located in the city center next to the bus station. 2–5 Frenchmans Lane, Dublin 1; tel. +353 0 1 855 6215. www.isaacs.ie
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Eliza Lodge
Comfortable little hotel right beside the river; laid-back, gently used feel of a country lodge; 18 simple and attractive rooms in neutral creams and blond woods; big floor-to-ceiling windows and river views; penthouse doubles have balconies. 23–24 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 671 8044. www.dublinlodge.com
Buswells Hotel
“Haunt of politicians from the Dail (Parliament) across the road.”—Georgina Campbell, author, Georgina Campbell’s Ireland. Sturdy historic Georgian hotel; masculine feel with plaid touches, leather chairs, and heavy wood furniture; 67 rooms spread across three Georgian buildings; traditional style throughout. 23–27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 614 6500. www.buswellshotel.com
Waterloo House
Two Georgian houses form one guesthouse; located south of central Dublin; 17 en suite rooms decorated with creamy, white fabrics; many rooms feature peaceful views of the on-site garden. 8–10 Waterloo Road, Dublin 4; tel. +353 0 1 660 1888. www.waterloohouse.ie
Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge
Charming small hotel in a converted 19th-century Masonic school; 304 rooms with free Wi-Fi access; located south of central Dublin in the leafy Ballsbridge neighborhood, next to RDS arena; O’Connells restaurant specializes in seasonal cuisine such as fresh Irish lamb. Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. +353 0 1 668 1111.www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge_hotel_dublin.asp
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Trinity Lodge Guesthouse
Three 18th-century Georgian town houses hold 23 large guest rooms; warmly traditional, Irish country estate décor; lots of original pieces by Irish artist Graham Knuttel; buzzing George’s Bistro and Wine Bar downstairs; close to Trinity College. 12 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 617 0900. www.trinitylodge.com
The Gresham Hotel
Grande dame hotel; backdrop for two centuries of political history; vast, elegant lobby ideal for afternoon tea (or whiskey on a cold day); 288 rooms have modern, inviting decor. 23 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1; tel. +353 01 874 6881. www.gresham-hotels.com
Dylan
“It’s a bit over the top, but that’s the fun of it.”—Georgina Campbell. Boutique hotel in suburban Victorian building; 44 luxurious rooms; bright colors, shiny marble floors, Murano glass chandeliers, and post-modern furnishings; intimate Dylan Bar has a pewter bar and lime, deep red, and purple accents. Eastmoreland Pl., Ballsbridge, Dublin 4; tel. +353 0 1 660 3000. www.dylan.ie
Brooks Hotel
“Great location; comfortable and discreet; warm welcome and good food.”—Georgina Campbell. Charming boutique hotel in central Dublin; 98 rooms blend classic and contemporary style; executive suites have plasma TVs and DVD players in bedroom and bathroom; easy walking distance to Trinity College and Grafton Street. Drury Street, Dublin 1; tel. +353 0 1 670 4000. www.brookshotel.ie
Number 31
Small hidden-away guesthouse near St. Stephen’s Green; big Georgian house and a sleek modern addition by architect Sam Stephenson; 21 spacious ensuite bedrooms; all-natural, Swedish Hästens beds, pillows, and duvets; friendly owners; prime location for walking tours of the city. 31 Leeson Close, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 676 5011. www.number31.ie
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The Clarence
Sophisticated boutique hotel owned by U2’s Bono and the Edge; members of the band frequently seen on-site; housed in 19th-century building; 49 spacious rooms with neutral tones and dreamy king-size beds. 6–8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 407 0800. www.theclarence.ie
The Merrion
Grand hotel in four magnificent Georgian buildings; lavish rococo ceilings; 143 rooms and suites with thick, floral fabrics and hand-sewn rugs; antique furniture and massive collection of museum-quality art on display throughout; landscaped grounds. Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 603 0600. www.merrionhotel.com
The Shelbourne
The Irish Constitution was drafted in this impressive hotel. 265 rooms and spacious suites, some with peaceful views of St. Stephen’s Green; exquisitely comfortable beds and 300-thread-count sheets; Waterford chandeliers in the historic downstairs bar, on-site Lord Mayor’s Lounge that’s a popular place to meet for tea. 27 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2; tel. +1 888 236 2427 in the U.S., or tel. +353 0 1 663 4500. www.marriott.co.uk
Brownes Townhouse
Formerly a private men’s club; elegant, traditional boutique hotel; 11 guest rooms with well-chosen antique furnishings and marble bathrooms; popular on-site Brownes Restaurant serves rich European and inventive Irish cuisine such as grilled duck in a butter reduction, truffle risotto, and Donegal Bay mussels. 22 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2; tel. +353 0 1 638 3939. www.brownesdublin.com
