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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The 3 Best Hotels in Dublin of 2025
Hospitality trends come and go, but the best hotels in the Irish capital are long-standing favorites among Travel + Leisure readers, who have voted for the same trio of classic Dublin hotels for four years and counting! But which icon cinched the coveted No. 1 spot in our 2025 list? Keep reading to find out. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. While all three of our leading hotels have timeless style and warm Irish hospitality, they also share a central address in the heart of the Irish capital, just steps from beautiful parks like St. Stephen's Green and Iveagh Gardens, as well as landmarks such as Trinity College Dublin. 'This is our preferred place to stay while in Dublin,' one reader said about the Merrion Hotel (No. 2), which was last year's winner. 'I always feel welcome here when visiting the city.' Just a short stroll away is The Shelbourne Dublin (No. 3), which has hosted illustrious guests for more than two centuries, ranging from Peter O'Toole and Jackie Kennedy to Grace Kelly. Its storied history is a big draw, but the 265-room hotel constantly strives to improve itself with new seasonal menus, extravagant lobby displays (from oversized flower arrangements to edible Easter décor), and sumptuous spa treatments. And as a matter of fact, this combination of old-meets-new is a key feature of this year's winner. The Westbury The Wilde restaurant at The Westbury. The flagship of the family-owned boutique hospitality brand The Doyle Collection, The Westbury treats its guests like longtime friends. 'This is a home away from home,' said one reader. Readers were equally as impressed by the elegant interiors and museum-quality artwork legends such as Sir John Lavery and Louis le Brocquy as by the 'small' details such as 'beds that you melt into,' and the 'stunning cocktails' at the 1930s-style Sidecar bar, where inventive concoctions are shaken with homegrown botanicals and spirits. 'Everything about The Westbury is simply outstanding,' a reader wrote. 'I give it five stars.' Everything about The Westbury is simply outstanding. — T+L Reader 1. The Westbury Reader Score: 96.32 2. The Merrion Reader Score: 96.23 3. The Shelbourne Dublin Reader Score: 90.06
Reuters
28-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Dublin like a local
A young, creative, international city has emerged from the financial crisis that stopped Dublin in its tracks for the best part of a decade. The warehouses of the Irish capital have been repurposed by international tech companies for their European headquarters, the docks and quays are lined with buildings of glass and steel, and there are new hotels, coffee shops and bars. It is still unmistakably Dublin — with its beautiful Georgian terraces, manicured garden squares, stunning coastal walks and villages that make up some of the prettiest suburbs of any capital city. But now its cobbled streets hum with fresh purpose. I grew up on Ireland's west coast and, after a spell in London, moved to Dublin a decade ago to cover Irish business news and then political and general news for Reuters. The economic catastrophe that befell Dublin after the 2008 financial crisis is a cautionary tale of the dangers of unfettered lending and poor regulation. But reinvented as a modern, cosmopolitan capital that values its people and history, today's Dublin is simply marvellous. Here's how to enjoy this beautifully unruly city like a local: Pubs: Dublin's pubs are essential to the city's cultural and social fabric. They are where friends catch up, colleagues bond after work, and couples meet for dates. Some are loud and busy, others perfect for sitting alone with your thoughts or a book. My favourite is Martin B. Slattery's in the vibrant, eclectic suburb of Rathmines. A wood-paneled pub — that like most classic Dublin watering holes still refuses to serve food — 'Slatts' has a snug at the front, the patrons love to chat, and the Guinness is exceptional. In town, there's the Long Hall, a stone's throw from Dublin Castle, with red-and-white striped canopies. Inside, it's largely unchanged since it opened in 1881. Another Victorian classic is the Palace on Fleet Street. Flowers cascade from hanging baskets outside and an antique lamppost marks the entrance. It is one of the oldest pubs in the city, and a favourite of students from nearby Trinity College and tourists stopping for a pint as they amble towards Temple Bar. It has a strong literary heritage, with poet Patrick Kavanagh and novelist Flann O'Brien among its former patrons. If you're looking for something quirkier, make your way over to the Hacienda on Mary Street, popular with celebrity musicians winding down after a show. Behind its Spanish colonial exterior, it always looks closed — which it is to most people, unless proprietor Shay likes the look of you. He never opens before 8 p.m., but if you think you're the type of punter that Shay will welcome, then press a buzzer at the door marked 'Bar' and wait to see if he'll let you in. The traditional 'session': The Cobblestone in Smithfield is the stand-out choice for quality traditional Irish music. Tucked into a quiet corner of a square that was once known for its bustling livestock market, it is described by its owner as a "drinking pub with a music problem." There is a "seisiún" of traditional Irish music every night — an informal performance by seasoned musicians who gather to play for fun. You will want to get in early to grab a stool by the bar, so you can see the performers in the corner. O'Donoghue's on Merrion Row is a music pub steeped in history and was a favourite of The Dubliners, a traditional folk music group that sold more than thirty million records. The walls are adorned by photos and drawings of the Irish music legends who have played here over the years, and there are music sessions every night. Whelan's on Wexford Street is a must for live music. Major artists that have passed through its doors include the Arctic Monkeys, Damien Rice, Mumford & Sons, and Ed Sheeran, who calls Whelan's one of his favourite venues in the world. To eat: In the years since the financial crisis, Irish food has undergone a significant evolution, moving beyond traditional stereotypes into a modern and innovative culinary culture. Chapter One, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, and Liath each have two Michelin stars, and there are five more restaurants with one star. International influences have flourished, creating exciting culinary fusions derived from Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Traditional dishes such as Irish stew, soda bread and Dublin Coddle can still be found at places like the Quays Restaurant in Temple Bar, but my go-tos are the caipirinhas and petiscos at Rei Momo in the centre of town, or the authentic tacos, quesadillas and tamalitos at Suertudo in Ranelagh. The definitive read: In a city seeped in literature, one book dominates: James Joyce's 'Ulysses.' The modernist classic is an intricate portrait of the city on a single day, June 16, 1904 — and the characters' steps are retraced by thousands every year on Bloomsday. A good place to start is the Joyce Tower Museum, on the coast at Sandycove and housed in a Martello tower, a round stone fort built in the early 19th century to defend against a Napoleonic invasion. The tower is the setting for the opening chapter of "Ulysses," where Stephen Dedalus wakes up and begins his day. Joyce himself stayed here briefly in 1904. For the real enthusiast, consider a reading at Sweny's Chemist and Druggist, where you'll be transported into a living page of "Ulysses". A charming, time-capsule of a shop, it is located at 1 Lincoln Place, a short walk from Trinity College. More literary trails: Dublin revels in its literary heritage. Three of the four newest bridges have been named after writers, and you can't turn a corner in Dublin without bumping into a plaque or statue devoted to a writer or poet. The city has been an inspiration for numerous authors, so no visit is complete without a literary tour. Start at Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde's sculpture cuts a colourful figure lounging on a rock overlooking his family home across the street. "Dracula' writer Bram Stoker lived at the nearby 30 Kildare Street for a time with his wife, Florence. But perhaps the most impressive place on any literary tour of Dublin is Trinity College, home to the Long Room, a 65-metre (213-ft)-long chamber in its library that contains 200,000 of the university's oldest books (currently under restoration). The Book of Kells, a precious ninth century manuscript containing the four gospels of the New Testament, is on permanent display. Swift, Wilde, Beckett, Stoker, and Synge studied here. More recently, it served as a backdrop and symbol of class and identity in Sally Rooney's 'Normal People.' If you're looking for literary Dublin, this is where you'll find it. Getting away: The sea matters to Dubliners. Joyce's characters in "Ulysses" are forever walking, haunted, by the shore. The first Dubliners were Viking raiders who came from across the sea and commandeered a sheltered pool on the Liffey for a winter camp to repair their longboats ahead of the spring pillaging. When Dubliners want to shake off the cobwebs, they head to the coast. Dublin's coastal towns and villages are some of the prettiest suburbs of any capital city and stretch from Howth in the north to Dalkey and Killiney Hill in the south, where U2's Bono and the Edge are neighbours. There are lovely coastal walks and breath-taking views in both directions, all easily reached on the local train, with fares starting at 2.60 euros ($3) for a single adult ticket. To really do Dublin like a Dubliner, the day should start with a bracing swim at Sandycove's "Forty Foot." Imagine a rocky outcrop into the Irish Sea, with waves crashing on concrete steps and brave souls in swimming togs gasping as they dive into the chilly waters. Few urban experiences are as invigorating, and when you emerge, you'll be more than ready to think about the lunch you're going to have in Howth. Located on the north side of Dublin Bay, perched on a rugged peninsula, Howth is a postcard-pretty fishing village you can amble around while picking up fish and chips and maybe an ice cream. I could happily eat every day at any one of the many fantastic restaurants in Howth, but if you like a view with your oysters or mussels, pick Aqua, a beautiful restaurant housed in a former sailing club at the end of the west pier. CITY MEMO DATA POINTS Population: 1.4 million Price of a cup of coffee: 5.10 euros ($5.85) for a cappuccino from Bewley's Café on Grafton Street. Price of a pint of beer: 6.80 euros ($7.80) for a pint of Guinness from Martin B. Slattery's. Great place to see a sunset: The Pavilion, a student bar overlooking the cricket pitch at Trinity College. Best bookstore: Hodges Figgis, a 257-year-old bookseller on Dawson Street.
Telegraph
01-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Forget Bath and Bloomsbury – the greatest Georgian architecture is found in Dublin
The clearest memory of my first visit to Dublin, nearly 40 years ago, is my initial sight of Merrion Square. It is – whatever the claims of Bloomsbury, Bath, or the New Town in Edinburgh – the finest Georgian architectural spectacle in the British Isles. For those who do not know it, Merrion Square is a vast rectangle of terraced houses in the centre of the Irish capital, surrounding a superb park – originally a private space for residents, now open to the public. The original landlord was the 6th Viscount Fitzwilliam, whose family had been in Ireland since the 13th century and was then the biggest landowner in the Dublin area. Both he and his son, the 7th Viscount, undertook extensive property development, of which Merrion Square is the foremost jewel. The 7th Viscount served for a time as an MP in Wiltshire, and left the bequest that founded the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. The decision to lay out the square was taken in 1762 and began with the west side: the original plan was devised by two local architects, John Smyth and Jonathan Barker, and in 1780 the plan for the east side was drawn up by a third, Samuel Sproule. Benjamin Simpson won a competition to design the gardens in 1792, and by the early 19th century almost all the houses had been built. It quickly became a fashionable address, sought after by the 'quality' of Dublin. When I first walked around the square in the 1980s, many of the properties were still residential; now, it is dominated by offices and embassies, though some private houses remain. In the past, some of Ireland's most glittering names lived there: Oscar Wilde's father, William, had a house where Wilde (a statue of whom reclines in the park) lived until he was 22. Later, W B Yeats was a resident of the square; as were, in earlier times, Daniel O'Connell, the nationalist leader, and Sheridan Le Fanu, the gothic novelist. The original conception remains mostly intact – one sizeable property on the North Terrace was, however, demolished almost a century ago and the National Maternity Hospital was built on the site. Everything else on the east, south and north sides is conventional late-Georgian townhouses of three storeys, an attic and a basement, built in red brick, with the traditionally fenestrated sash windows and solid front doors with varieties of semi-circular fanlights above them. The west side contains two museums and the gardens of Leinster House. Looking up the south side there is in the distance at the end of Mount Street (which carries on from the square) a fine Georgian church, St Stephen's, designed by John Bowden, and known as the Pepper Canister after the distinctive shape of its spire. The view from the bottom of Merrion Square along the terraces of the square and of Mount Street, with this gem at the end, is one of the finest townscapes one could wish to see. It is something of a marvel that the square looks as good as it does. The uniformity is remarkable, given the length of time over which the houses were built, by a variety of labourers and craftsmen. Some of the 92 houses are narrower than others; and one of the great joys of walking round is to compare the different designs of fanlight and the colours of the handsome front doors. In some, the fenestration of 12 small panes (six in the top frame and six in the bottom) has been replaced by one large single pane in each frame, which detracts from the uniformity, but luckily is rare; and most houses are of three bays but some are of two bays. Nor are the heights of the houses always uniform, but the line of the terraces and the effect of the patina of the brick is what captures the eye. The growing wealth of 19th-century Dublin after the 1801 Act of Union led to the embellishment of some of the houses, notably with wrought-iron balconies on the first floor. The square is also blessed with tall and ornate lamp standards that complement the houses. Architectural guides – including the excellent Buildings of Ireland volume on Dublin – speak rapturously of the interiors of many of the houses, such as their ceilings, cornices, mantelpieces and staircases. But the great joy about Merrion Square is that even from the outside it is astonishingly special.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin: The 13th best city in the world ... supposedly
If somebody asked you where Dublin ranked among the 1,000 largest cities in world, would you rank it thirteenth? Well, the team behind the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index did just that. A 'sustainable city' they called it, with top ratings for everything except a little, inconsequential thing called 'quality of life'. The Fair City ranked as just the 100th best city in the world when it comes to quality of life as Dubliners spend 'relatively more on housing than nearly anywhere else'. Digging deeper, that score suddenly seems even more generous. 'Dublin's challenges include its acute housing shortage, lack of economic diversity and the instability that comes with its sectoral composition,' the report reads, placing the Irish capital above the very cities our young people are queuing to emigrate to – Amsterdam ranked 27th, Berlin 29th, Brisbane 23rd and Perth 31st. READ MORE Dublin's placement, knocking on the door of the top 10, was driven by strong scores for environmental friendliness (14th) and human capital (17th), based on a score of 'high-quality universities' such as Trinity College Dublin. With Dublin's economics score being artificially inflated by having the fifth-highest GDP per person in the 1,000 cities, the city's overall position would doubtless be lower were it not for the convenient location of the European headquarters of many United States firms. Still, we have the third-fastest employment growth forecast in western Europe, which puts weight behind the prior 'flawed measure'. Dublin's ranking was boosted by the country's 'stable political democracy', despite a business environment thought to be 'average' in comparison to the rest of western Europe – though perhaps not average when it comes to taxation. 'On the other hand', after pouring praise upon the city, the report goes on to explain that there are actually some negatives to living in Dublin and, yes, you've guessed it, the major is being one of the most expensive cities in Europe for housing. In Ireland's 'sustainable city', one is left wondering if its housing situation is capable of being anything other than a spur for emigration.
