Words by Rosie Davis
Tucked away on Ireland’s east coast, with a rich medieval history stretching back over a millennium, Dublin’s vibrant heritage has been faithfully treasured and preserved to this day. Renowned for its gorgeous architecture, world-class museums, and jovial pub scene, what really brings this city to life is its electric energy and fondness for the famous Irish craic.
Step outside the city centre’s cobbled streets, and the UNESCO Biosphere of Dublin Bay reveals its untouched natural beauty, with breath-taking coastal walks, rugged mountain backdrops and charming villages at your fingertips. It’s a city that has it all, including a reputation for being one of the friendliest in the world, and it is undoubtedly this cheeky sense of Irish warmth and charm that keeps visitors flocking to Ireland’s much-loved capital time and time again.
Hotel
As a proud member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World, The Merrion has firmly cemented itself as one of the most luxurious five-star hotels in the capital since its debut in October 1997. Built from four impeccably restored Grade I Listed Georgian townhouses, the hotel’s period features shine through as you enter the unassuming exterior to be greeted by slender marble columns, a beautiful neo-classical staircase, stuccoed ceilings and lovingly restored open fireplaces guiding you through the lobby. Not to mention, the mesmerising display of hand-picked antiques and artwork with the hotel boasting one of the largest private collections of art and antiques in the country.
Standing directly opposite Government Buildings with The National Gallery and The National Museum of Ireland a stone’s throw away, the hotel occupies a prime position in central Dublin. While a host of the city’s biggest cultural attractions, including the leafy St Stephen’s Green and the lively Grafton Street, can be found within walking distance.
Alongside the restored townhouses is the hotel’s specially commissioned contemporary garden wing which has been built around one of the hotel’s most distinctive and beautiful features, its two 18th century classical gardens. As a city centre hotel, the private period gardens offer guests a hidden oasis of peace and tranquillity, and were lovingly designed by esteemed Irish landscape artist, Jim Reynolds, who sought to retain the hotel’s historic charm with box hedges, rose arches, water features and antique statuary. In the warmer summer months, the large central garden becomes an extension of the drawing rooms in the main house so guests can have the pleasure of eating and drinking on the terrace outside.
Room
Thanks to interior designer Alice Roden, the hotel’s 123 rooms and 19 suites have been restored to their former glory with vaulted ceilings, original marble fireplaces and delicate rococo plasterwork seamlessly interwoven with period colours and traditional Irish fabrics that pay homage to the property’s unique 18th century character.
Staying true to her original brief, Roden has excelled in creating a contemporary environment that respects the authentic Georgian architecture. Each guestroom offers a nod to the era’s subtle colour palette with shades ranging from slate blue, sage green, raspberry red and cream echoed in the woven linen check upholstery fabric and curtains made of toile de Jouey.
We stayed in the one-bedroom Merrion Suite, located on the upper floors of the main house, offering guests magnificent views of the hotel’s private gardens. Once again, the Georgian style shines through in the exquisite period-style furniture, featuring a sumptuous six ft king bed, dining table and plush sink-in sofa in the conjoining living room, while the bathroom comes complete with a separate bathtub and shower fitted in the finest Italian Carrara marble and contemporary chrome finishes.
Rooms are filled with thoughtful details to ensure guests have everything they could desire, like the Nespresso coffee machine, indulgent Asprey toiletries and 24-hour room and valet service to truly make it feel like a home from home.
Food and drink
When it comes to fine dining, few places in Dublin have more to offer than The Merrion. The renowned two-star Michelin Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud can be found within the hotel’s main house, while The Garden Room presided over by executive head chef, Ed Cooney, offers a less formal setting with the same exceptional attention to detail and quality Irish ingredients.
With Paris-born restauranteur Patrick Guilbaud at the helm of the eponymous restaurant, supported by executive chef, Guillaume Lebrun and a team of 40 colleagues, their à la carte menu features the finest local produce that reflects both quality of origin and season. Set under a high gold-leaf barrel ceiling, diners can enjoy contemporary Irish cuisine with a classical French twist. As the first restaurant in Ireland to hold two Michelin stars, Patrick Guilbaud has received both national and international acclaim with standout dishes including blue lobster ravioli, mellow spiced castle dermot lamb and Coeur de Guanaja chocolate tart.
After dinner, guests can marvel at the original 18th century wine cellars and their vaulted ceilings with drinks inside the atmospheric Cellar Bar – a favourite with locals and tourists alike. For a more intimate setting, drinks can be enjoyed in No. 23, a smaller cocktail bar on the ground floor strictly reserved for hotel guests.
The hotel’s drawing rooms set the stage for a luxurious afternoon tea inspired by their very own art collection. Guests can enjoy miniature sweet creations topped by slices of 19th and 20th century artwork, featuring designs influenced by the work of J.B Yeats, Louis Le Brocquy and William Scott, to name a few.
To do
For guests who want to truly relax and unwind, the hotel’s Spa and Health Club, with its gorgeous 18-metre, blue-tiled infinity pool and six spa treatment rooms, is a must-visit. Open seven days a week, their team of exceptionally trained therapists offer a range of innovative gold-standard treatments and beauty packages perfect for treating yourself or loved ones, like The Merrion Signature Package which includes a personalised facial and massage, followed by either lunch or afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly.
Guests can also take advantage of The Hair Salon offering a full suite of services for both women and men using best-selling haircare from Kevin Murphy, as well as the hotel’s dedicated team of personal trainers who are on hand to devise bespoke fitness and nutrition programmes.
With its enviable location, you won’t be short of things to explore in Dublin’s city centre. The hotel’s exceptional concierge team are committed to ensuring a memorable stay, with personalised walking and cycling tours of the city available to guests, complete with The Merrion’s own bicycles, rain macs and picnics.
In a nutshell
Effortless style, old-world elegance and unparalleled levels of service are at the heart of The Merrion’s impressive worldwide reputation.
It’s a hotel that has never been short of prestigious awards and accolades, including numerous appearances within Condé Nast’s annual Gold List and consecutive wins for No. 1 Hotel in Dublin in the Readers’ Choice Awards, and after staying here it’s clear that this is something that is guaranteed to continue for many more years to come.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £363pppn.
Address: The Merrion Hotel, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, Ireland, D02 KF79
Phone: +353 1 603 0600
Email: info@merrionhotel.com
Website: merrionhotel.com
Photography courtesy of The Merrion Hotel.
