Contributor/ Nessa McAuliffe
Best Known For
Designed by Sir Terence Conran this luxury boutique hotel located seconds away from Grafton Street and overlooking Stephen’s Green is a gem of a place and perfectly located. During my hotel days, I experienced and stayed in The Fitzwilliam Hotel on a number of occasions.
The Good Stuff
This central Dublin five star hotel has seen a number of transformations through the years and it continues to re-invent itself and rise like a phoenix. My most recent visit to the hotel was in September last year during a weekend break to Dublin for a friend’s significant birthday. From a busy and bustling Dublin street, step inside a modern, minimalistic and stylish spacious lobby area peppered with varying shades of purples, golds and yellows. Bold and daring colours maybe for a hotel lobby but they work. I have always loved the impressive art collection in the public areas where guests cannot help but exchange travel tips and stories. I was upgraded to a Deluxe Premium room and it did not disappoint. Bedroom highlights for me: uniquely designed Terence Conran and Paul Smith textures and fabrics, state of the art bathrooms with the most rejuvenating shower and H2O products, vintage telephone and of course, the view from the balcony of Stephen’s Green and the city lights.
The Vibe
The Fitzwilliam Hotel has always been a favourite of mine. Through the years, I have been impressed by their consistently high service levels which I believe sets them apart. For me personally, it is the little touches that make all the difference such as the concierge remembering your name, classical music as you enter your room, turndown chocolate treats, and in-room umbrellas for guests to use, rain is almost certainly guaranteed in Dublin! I highly, highly recommend this hotel.
Inside the hotel – 8/10
If you are a foodie, then this hotel is a must. I had a pre-dinner cocktail at ‘Inn on the Green’ a very sociable and convivial place as hotel bars go. The hotel restaurant ‘Citron’ was voted ‘Best Hotel Restaurant in 2012’ and has been bestowed with this accolade for a reason. The food might stretch your budget but is worth it in my opinion.
Outside the hotel – 9/10
Breakfast polished off, I headed out for an early morning stroll in the crisp autumnal air to Stephen’s Green, before some retail therapy in Dublin’s Grafton Street. All the major tourist attractions are close at hand if you are in tourist mode. A great Dublin art deco watering hole close by is Davy Byrne’s pub where Irish history and camaraderie are alive and well. When I stay here, I always like to take an evening stroll around Dublin’s Georgian buildings in nearby Merrion square.
Booking Information: fitzwilliamhoteldublin.com
Image courtesy of The Fitzwilliam Hotel
