Dublin is one of my favourite cities in Europe and for one reason or another, flies under the radar on the main tourist circuit of Europe. The city is full of life with musicians on every street corner, in bars and pubs, as well as a lively crowd of locals and visitors mixing in the city streets. This is my second time checking in to The Merrion Dublin and it has quickly become one of my favourite hotels in Ireland, so I figured it was about time to share with you the magic of the Merrion!
If a picture tells a thousand words it shouldn’t be hard for you to see how effortlessly beautiful and timeless this hotel is. It feels more like staying in the home of a long lost family friend and the staff really go above and beyond to make it feel that way. The restored Georgian townhouse building has recently been restored to include an impressive ESPA day spa, huge swimming pool and rooms that each have their own unique charm (wait til you see mine!)
Checking In to The Merrion
I first stayed at The Merrion a few years ago on a short overnight passing through Dublin. With just one night in town I wanted to stay somewhere central that also felt homely and quintessentially Irish. The Merrion was the perfect choice.
On this visit to Dublin I had a leisurely four days in the city and three nights to stay at The Merrion for a second time. Since my first visit the charm lives on, but much has changed with recent renovations to make this hotel the most luxurious in Ireland’s capital city, Dublin.
Inside my Suite
I arrived to The Merrion after a gruelling four hour drive in the sporadic rain from the West Coast of Ireland where I was previously staying at Ashford Castle. The rain had cleared and my legs wanted to do anything but sit, so I dropped off my rental car on the fringe of the city and walked the 30 minutes to reach the hotel.
It would appear I had underestimated the weight 30 kilograms of luggage can feel like and when I arrived I was ready for the glass of bubbly that welcomed me. Planning to just drop off my bags and carry on walking around Dublin for the afternoon, my jaw dropped as I stepped inside the room and I decided I deserved a short break to stop and appreciate the suite in all of its pink glory.
Each of the rooms at The Merrion are individually decorated but what surprised me more was the size of the rooms. Not only are the ceilings high (thanks to the hotel’s Georgian design), but the rooms are oversized and with huge floor to ceiling windows to make the most of the daylight. In summer the sun stays up until 9 or 10pm so believe me when I say you have plenty of time to explore the city!
Exploring the City of Dublin
After dropping my bags and making the most of the champagne that welcomed me, I swapped to my sneakers and began exploring Dublin on foot. This city is fun, vibrant and can be quite crowded in summer but the crowd just adds to the liveliness.
The closest attraction to The Merrion is St Stephen’s Green, which you can reach on foot in about 5 minutes. After wandering through what could be named Dublin’s Central Park, make your way to nearby Grafton Street for a lively shopping experience.
Temple Bar is Dublin’s famous bar, pub and nightlife area. The area is fun to explore during the daytime, too (especially if you’re not one for partying into the wee hours of the morning!)
Book your stay at The Merrion Dublin
After a full two weeks exploring Ireland my stay at The Merrion was a welcomed retreat. The staff are incredibly friendly, welcoming and make the stay feel more like coming home.
I can highly recommend the ESPA spa inside the hotel and enjoyed a thorough massage on the day I checked out (perfect to combat my ongoing case of jetlag!)
Room rates are approximately $500 per room, per night. You can save money by booking online via this link: Book your Stay at The Merrion.
