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Dublin Hotels - Dublin City Centre - Traditional Hotels |
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Although the newer vogue of boutique hotels may seem more fitting to the 21st century, for many the very idea of a hotel is enshrined in the traditional old-world image of neo-classical architecture, spacious plush foyers and liveried doormen and staff. Several of Dublin's hotels have traditions of service going back 150 years or more. Others have drawn on that tradition by converting old townhouses, banks, castles and churches. While most of the hotels below are at the high end of the scale in price and service, some others provide a traditional Dublin hotel experience to visitors on a more modest budget. For Dubliners, The Gresham on O'Connell Street and The Shelbourne overlooking St Stephens Green are the Grand Old Dames of Dublin hotels; hosting meetings, balls and banquets for generations, they've seen gunfire, political machination and celebration so often that their walls resound with the city's history. For a true Dublin experience both are worth checking out. Two others, Wynns Hotel on Abbey Street, just off O'Connell Street, and Buswells Hotel opposite Dail Eireann on Molesworth Street, both have a long history in the capital. Although upgraded and modernised, both retain that wistful elegance that characterised the old commercial traveller hotels of the early to mid twentieth century. Another of the old commercial hotels, The Clarence, was extensively refurbished in the 90s by new owners - a consortium including members of U2. With a perfect location in Temple Bar overlooking the river, The Clarence is now one of the top, and one of the most popular, hotels in the city. Other contenders for that title include The Westin, developed recently in a converted bank premises and the surrounding block of buildings on College Green. The old bank, with its ornate stucco ceilings, is now the magnificent banqueting hall of the hotel. The cream of the bunch though, is probably the 5 star Merrion Hotel, occupying a row of four luxurious Georgian townhouses facing Government Buildings on Merrion Street. One of them was the birthplace of Arthur Wellesley, later to become the Duke of Wellington. The plain exterior belies the extravagant luxury inside. For those wishing to experience Georgian elegance without a five star cost, Cassidys on O'Connell Street and Stauntons On The Green both combine value for money with a prime location. For something special, try the Clontarf Castle or The Davenport Hotel. Just a few miles from the city centre, the Clontarf Castle is the one true castle hotel experience in the Dublin area, close to the sea and providing the peace of the suburbs within easy access of the city. Conversely, The Davenport is just five minutes' walk from Grafton Street and Trinity college. Once a place of worship, the magnificent facade at the front dates back to 1863 and provides a stark contrast with the air conditioned luxury within. Finally, both the Central Hotel and the Kildare Street Hotel have been around for years. The Central is a classic traditional hotel in a great location at an affordable price, while the Kildare Street Hotel overlooks Trinity College campus and caters for the budget traveller and groups. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dublin City Centre Hotels, Mount Pleasant Place, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, IrelandIntl. +353-1-278-8093 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||