Celebrate in the Irish capital: The best Dublin hotels for St Patrick’s Day

The Merrion exudes period charm from its prime position in the heart of Georgian Dublin. Irish culture abounds close by and The National Gallery and the National Museum are within a five-minute stroll. Interiors have been conserved to delightful effect, with stuccoed ceilings and antique furniture juxtaposing its collection of Irish art. Admire the beautiful courtyard garden – a rarity in a central Dublin hotel – and spend time in the tranquil Tethra Spa, with its delightful blue-tiled pool. Expect Carrara marble bathrooms and luxury linen in the rooms. Round out your stay with a fine dining experience under a rose-gold roof at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the only restaurant in Ireland to hold two Michelin stars.

A glowing red-brick Victorian gem – once used as a home for retired governesses – has been repurposed as a spiffy boutique hotel. The décor has lots of quirky character, from the period fireplaces and corner cabinets repurposed into shelving to amusing mannequins found in rooms. The Wilder is residents-only, meaning you can be assured of an intimate and tranquil atmosphere in the public areas. Breakfast in particular is excellent, with fluffy pancakes and strong coffee. Celebrating St Patrick’s Day? Artisan Irish tipples can be sampled in the comfortable Gin and Tea Rooms.

The Devlin is situated at the heart of one of Dublin’s most fashionable districts, Ranelagh and you’ll find plenty of revelry just outside the front door. Interiors are smart: think herringbone floors, wooden ceilings, and a constellation of original artworks – including a high proportion of Irish pieces – on the walls. Standard rooms are on the compact side, but smart design – in particular cunning fenestration – removes any sense of lack of space. You’ll adore the stylish rooftop restaurant and American-inspired cocktail bar, as well as the smoothly elegant on-site cinema, with its 1950s-style seating, leather trim, popcorn machine, food offerings and two daily screenings.

The Marlin enjoys a central location, two minutes’ walk from St Stephen’s Green with a range of cultural and entertainment venues just as close.
The ambiance is smart and individual, with a mid-20th-century look to the furniture and a mildly industrial feel. The sculpture tree in the lobby sets the scene. Add a horsebox doubling as a coffee station, plus a Vespa as a seat and you get the sense of money spent on design, but with a touch of humour. Dine in the bright ground-floor bar area or in the cosy indoor garden. The drinks offering is excellent, with an emphasis on artisan Irish beers and spirits.

A handsome and beautifully refurbished guesthouse with views north to St Stephen’s Green and south across the Iveagh Gardens, with the heart of Dublin’s shopping, cultural and entertainment district just beyond. Expect the best of both worlds here: excellent accommodation amid cosy, intimate surroundings – and all this in the very centre of Dublin. This is explicitly a guesthouse rather than a hotel, so don’t expect a wealth of facilities. Instead, there’s a cosy seating area, complete with fruit, daily newspapers, and – best of all – a dinky honesty bar, with an excellent range of spirits and beers – a perfect relaxation space after a day on one’s feet.

The signature red-brick Victorian façade of The Shelbourne Dublin has glowed on the northern side of St Stephen’s Green since 1824. Think five-star elegance: the three bars are popular fixtures on the city’s social scene, while afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge is something of a Dublin tradition. There’s a delightful spa, a pool and a wonderful relaxation space, with park views and cocktails. Upgrade to rooms with balconies for romantic views of St Stephen’s Green and the distant mountains. For a special nightcap, head to 1824 residents’ bar – kitted out in high-Victorian splendour and capped with an outdoor terrace.

The Dean exudes a youthful, funky ambiance – but everyone is welcome. This is a great place for couples or large groups of friends coming to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. The rooftop bar, with its open terrace, is a beautiful space with views over the city rooftops – but the pièce de la resistance is Sophie’s, the splendid, casual and very comfortable ‘glasshouse’ restaurant on the roof with truly fabulous panoramic views across Dublin to the distant mountains. There’s a good range of rooms and prices, from the bijou Pods and ‘Punk bunks’ with bunk beds (great for friends sharing), to the spacious standard rooms and luxurious suites and penthouse.

Family-run Brooks offers something rare and valuable – a stylish and truly snug refuge from the world. It’s centrally located in the heart of Dublin’s ‘Creative Quarter’ – a shopping and entertainment district – and is quiet, discreet and beautifully appointed. A certain class is the name of the game here – nothing showy, with a muted colour palette signifying low-key luxury. Guests tend to come back again and again, and there is a sense of quiet friendliness that the larger hotels can’t match. Look for the array of original art on the walls, much of it Irish. More than 100 types of whisky are served in the bar.

This splendidly modern hotel is set in the centre of Dublin’s shopping and entertainment district, overlooking the open spaces of St Stephen’s Green. The Spirit Spa offers a range of treatments, including hot and cold stones, and aromatherapy treatments. Other nice touches include a reading nook, complete with a library of books. The bedrooms are delightful: a small number of rooms look east across the treetops of St Stephen’s Green, while others look out to the courtyard garden. Glovers Alley restaurant serves impressively light fine dining – a good choice for special occasions.

Boasting highly distinctive modernist mews and a handsome Georgian townhouse, style is certainly this guesthouse’s signature feature. Inside, a sunken seating area is set in front of a broad fireplace, with a glitterball mirrored bar tucked into the corner – a great spot for a sociable evening drink. Rooms are eclectic, like the property itself, and a pretty and tranquil walled garden rounds things off. The owners are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the city: do ask staff for tips and advice on dining and sightseeing. There’s no restaurant, but Number 31 takes breakfast very seriously – and in chef Delia’s hands, it’s a superior affair.