Where to Stay

Accommodation in Dublin is not only plentiful—you'll most likely be spoilt for choice. There are a number of centrally-located areas of Dublin that offer a choice of accommodation, with hotels ranging from the budget to the more luxurious. These areas fall both north and south of the river Liffey and are usually within walking distance of the city's tourist sights and main amenities. Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may wish to consider some of the following options:

Temple Bar Area Once a decaying part of the city, featuring little more than a bus depot, Temple Bar has now become a thriving commercial centre. Depending on your point of view, the area is either the city's bustling cultural quarter or a haven for visiting stag-parties, but it's undeniable that Temple Bar is centrally-located and conveniently packed with affordable restaurants, cafes and interesting shopping options. There is also a vast choice of places to stay.

Essex Street is the location of one of the city's finest hotels, The Clarence. Owned by Irish rock super-group U2, the hotel was refurbished in 1996 and has managed to combine a traditional elegance with a more contemporary design. The Clarence also houses the renowned Tea Room restaurant and the very stylish Octagon bar. Other attractive options in or around the area include the Joycean-themed Blooms, the Central Hotel on South Great Georges Street, the Brooks, and the stylishly decorated Morgan Hotel.

For those travelling on a budget, the Temple Bar Hotel on Fleet Street has relatively reasonable room rates, while the Barnacles Hostel on Cecilia Street offers no-frills but clean accommodation and is very popular with backpackers. For those preferring a self-catering option, Trinity College campus offers budget self-catering accommodation during the summer months. The Temple Bar area has also become a Mecca for the arts, and attractions in the immediate vicinity include The Irish Film Institute, the Gallery of Photography, Arthouse and the Temple Bar Music Centre.

Grafton Street Area The Grafton Street area and the surrounding districts of St. Stephen's Green and Merrion Square are home to a fine architectural heritage and some of the most upmarket commercial property in Dublin. The accommodation options suitably reflect the affluent nature of this most elegant part of the city. The Westbury, just off Grafton Street, is superbly located right in the heart of the city, while the Shelbourne Hotel offers timeless luxury in a historical setting. Established in 1824, the Shelbourne retains an old-world charm: the Irish Free State constitution was drafted there in 1921 and politicians still frequent the Horseshoe Bar on the ground floor.

For those looking for something a little more contemporary, newer establishments like the Merrion Hotel, the Fitzwilliam and The Conrad are all recommended for those whom luxury is a prerequisite. Many of the hotels in this area offer impressive views of the city, some overlooking the elegant St. Stephen's Green, while others are surrounded by some of the finest architecture in Georgian Dublin. Those on a budget, however, are advised to settle for Staunton's on the Green. Regardless of where you stay, you'll be within walking distance from some of the city's most timeless attractions, including the National Gallery, the National Museum, Trinity College and Dublin Castle.

North of the Liffey Dublin's northside (the river Liffey divides the city in two) still remains rather downmarket, and is even considered dangerous by some. Don't be put off, however, a whole host of property developments, and even a new Millennium Bridge, linking Temple Bar to the northside quays, means that the area is more accessible and tourist-friendly than ever. A grand accommodation in the area is the Morrison Hotel on Ormond Quay. Designed by international fashion guru, John Rocha, this stylish and luxurious hotel also features a bar and a contemporary Asian restaurant, Halo. The Smithfield area north of the quays also has experienced a major face lift, and a stay at the Chief O'Neill's hotel puts you right in the heart of it all.

The northside's main artery, O'Connell Street, has a range of accommodation options. The Gresham may be of interest to those with an interest in either Irish history or literature. The hotel is featured in the climax of Joyce's short story The Dead (the final episode in Dubliners), and is also a stone's throw away from the General Post Office, which was the focal point for the bloody 1916 Easter Rising. Other options in the immediate area include the Royal Dublin, the Clifton Court, and the curiously archaic Wynn's Hotel. O'Connell Street is also within easy reach of the city's main commercial theatres, the Abbey and the Gate, and is adjacent to the northside's main shopping area, Henry Street, which features both the Jervis and Ilac shopping centres.

Those on either a budget or a short-term stay could perhaps be advised to consider the Mount Eccles Court hostel on the elegantly Georgian North Great Georges Street. Alternatively, just take a stroll down the adjacent Gardiner Street. Running north from Dublin's bus station, Busaras, Gardiner Street is home to seemingly countless bed & breakfast guesthouses.

Ballsbridge/Embassy District The embassy district around Ballsbridge and Lansdowne Road is about 2km outside the city centre, but has excellent transport connections and some of the most exclusive hotels in Dublin. The renowned Berkeley Court, Jury's and The Towers are all situated in this leafy suburban area. These hotels are particularly popular with business travellers and offer conference facilities that are second to none.