Editor Pick
Number 31
- May 27, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
LenR from Townsville, Australia
This wonderful place consistently appears in lists of Dublin’s best accommodation, despite the fact it only has 21 rooms and is really and bed and breakfast venue. It only takes a one-night stay to discover why.
This is a place where Old Dublin meets new. In this fusion of Georgian townhouse and modernised coach house, designed by pioneering architect Sam Stephenson, you get the homely comforts of a B&B and the funky décor of a boutique hotel. From the outside there is little indication this is a top-class venue. The creeper-framed doorway, however, takes you in past a mirrored reception to a groovy sunken lounge, whose black leather sofas, bright cushions and rug-strewn mosaic floor offset white-painted walls. Clearly you have arrived at something quite special.
As one guest expressed it, “The owners bring warmth to the 'coolest interior in Dublin'.” There are Irish watercolours, eclectic abstracts, bold furniture, elegant glassware and a peat-burning fireplace in the public areas. We were ‘sold’ before we even saw our room.
From the instant you arrive, the staff seems committed to your comfort, creating an atmosphere that gives you the feeling you are returning to the home of an old friend! This is obvious from the moment you arrive. You are invited into the lounge and your check-in is preceded by a cup of tea or coffee, accompanied with biscuits and cake. As you sit in front of the fire your luggage is whisked off, waiting for you in your room. If you are looking for advise, the owner will go over the layout and highlights of Dublin for you.
The rooms themselves are smart but I thought the bathroom had somewhat more style than substance. The shower recess had no place to put soap and water sprayed out onto the floor whenever we took a shower. Both problems could be solved quite easily and we hope it happens because without this we would have nothing at all to complain of.
Breakfast is another highlight. It is served upstairs in the intimate dining room or out on the delightful covered sun- terrace. Guests breakfast en famille and we quickly found we were exchanging travel experiences with other guests from around the world.
The food is magnificent. All the breads, jam & marmalade are produced in house. The breakfast table is set with fresh berries, poached pears in vanilla syrup, homemade granola and muesli, artisan yoghurt and cream. You then chose a cooked plate. Specialities include ‘The Full Irish’ (bacon, sausage, egg, tomato and potato cake), scrambled egg and smoked salmon, eggs benedict, kippers, and mushroom fritatta. All were cooked to order. My wife said the egg and salmon was ‘out of this world’. I, of course, had the Full Irish. When in Ireland, do as the Irish!!
From journal Dublin Staying, Eating and Drinking