Heading to Dublin but not sure where to stay? We’ve checked out the ten best hotels in Dublin city centre for you — from super luxury to hipster chic.
Dublin has no shortage of accommodation options. But don’t just opt for the first (and cheapest) place in town. A cosy base is key to an enjoyable stay in Ireland’s capital, no matter if you come here for fun or business.
And as we all know that finding that perfect home away from home can be pretty time-consuming, we have done the homework for you. Take a look at our selection of the ten best hotels in Dublin city centre below.
Ireland Before You Die’s tips for picking the best Hotel in Dublin
- Consider proximity to attractions, public transportation, and amenities like restaurants and shops and choose a hotel that is centrally located.
- Read reviews from previous guests on trusted travel websites to get an idea of the hotel’s quality and customer experiences.
- Determine your budget range in advance and find a hotel that fits within your financial limits.
- Be sure to check the hotel’s amenities and facilities to see if they align with your needs.
- Do your research. Check if they have accessible rooms, ramps, elevators, and other necessary facilities for individuals with disabilities.
The Rundown ‒ our top picks
Best Boutique Hotel: The Dean Dublin
Best Budget Hotel: Harding Hotel
Best Family Hotel: The Intercontinental Dublin
Best Spa Hotel: The Merrion Hotel
Best Luxury Hotel: The Shelbourne Hotel
Best Hotel with a Pool: The Marker Hotel
Best Hotel Near the Airport: Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport
Best Hotel in Temple Bar: Blooms Hotel
Best Hotel in St Stephen’s Green: The Shelbourne Hotel
Best Hotel in Dublin’s Docklands: The Marker Hotel
Dublin Hotels – tips & advice
Booking.com – the best site for booking Dublin hotels
When to book: NEVER book last minute! Dublin is a very popular destination. Your trip will be much better value, and you will get to stay in the best hotels by booking at least three months in advance.
Where to stay in Dublin: the best areas in the city
St Stephen’s Green: The heart of Georgian Dublin, the historic streets around Saint Stephen’s Green are right at the heart of the city. Far enough from the city’s nightlife scene, you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep while also being just a five-minute walk from Grafton Street. If you decide here, we would recommend The Merrion.
Temple Bar: Located directly on the River Liffey, which can also be explored by boat, close to top attractions, such as Trinity College, Grafton Street, and some of the city’s most popular bars and pubs, Temple Bar is the perfect place for you to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. If you decide here, we would recommend Blooms Hotel.
Dublin’s Docklands: A vibrant and modern quarter of the city, Dublin’s Docklands is the perfect place to stay for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Just a fifteen-minute walk from the city centre, you will be close to some great bars and restaurants as well as the famous Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, making the Docklands one of the best areas in Dublin to stay. If you decide here, we would recommend The Marker Hotel.
1. The Merrion – the best of the best
Overview: The 142-bedroom and suite Merrion Hotel is certainly one of the best hotels in Dublin city centre. If open fireplaces, antiques, and an extensive art collection are your cup of tea, this is your place to be. The hotel in the heart of Merrion Square, one of Dublin’s famous Georgian squares, has a quiet courtyard garden and a luxury spa, including a pool and various beauty treatments.
This hotel is close to… ST STEPHEN’S GREEN! Right at the heart of Georgian Dublin, you will be close to Saint Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, the former home of Oscar Wilde, and more of the city’s top sites.
This hotel is perfect for… A LUXURY STAY! As one of the most luxurious hotels the city has to offer, this is the perfect place to put your feet up, sit back, and relax.
IN HIGH DEMAND: This is an extremely popular hotel. NEVER book last minute! Dublin is a very popular destination. Your trip will be much better value, and you will get to stay in the best hotels by booking at least three months in advance.
Facilities here include:
- Comfortable queen-size beds
- Casual Cellar Bar in the original 18th-century wine vaults
- Two-star Michelin Patrick Guilbaud Restaurant
- Spa and Wellness Centre, 18 m pool, and gym
- No. 23 Cocktail Bar
- Beautiful Gardens
Address: Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2
CHECK OUT: The 5 best spa hotels near Dublin ranked.
2. The Shelbourne – for a five-star treat
Overview: Easily recognisable by its signature red-brick Victorian façade, The Shelbourne has been a Dublin institution on the city’s hotel scene ever since it opened in 1824. As one of the finest hotels in Dublin city centre, the five-star venue boasts everything you’d expect from a traditional luxury place, like open fireplaces, glittering chandeliers, and countless antiques.
This hotel is close to… ST STEPHEN’S GREEN! Located directly across the road from Saint Stephen’s Green, this opulent hotel boasts fantastic city views over Dublin’s urban park.
This hotel is perfect for… A LUXURY STAY! This historic building is home to one an award-winning 5-star hotel in Dublin City Centre.
Facilities here include:
- King-size beds and marble ensuite bathrooms
- A luxury spa, health club, and pool
- A beauty salon and small barbershop
- Opulent Saddle Room Restaurant
- Original features of the 19th-century hotel and fantastic city views
- Lord Mayor’s Lounge Bar, where you can enjoy afternoon tea
Address: 27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
3. The Marker Hotel – a stylish waterside spot
Overview: Love the Docklands? The stylish Marker Hotel is located right at the waterside and boasts spectacular views from both the rooms and the rooftop terrace. Easily recognisable by its cool design, checkerboard façade, a Dublin landmark of its own, the contemporary hotel is beloved for its sleek and modern rooms as well as its award-winning spa.
This hotel is close to… DUBLIN’S DOCKLANDS! Just a short walk outside the city, The Marker Hotel is perfect for those who want to be near this modern quarter of the city.
This hotel is perfect for… A MODERN AND PEACEFUL STAY! Modern and luxurious, the Marker Hotel is just a 15-minute walk outside the city centre, making it perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
IN HIGH DEMAND: This is an extremely popular hotel. NEVER book last minute! Dublin is a very popular destination. Your trip will be much better value, and you will get to stay in the best hotels by booking at least three months in advance.
Facilities here include:
- Comfortable king-size beds
- Award-winning Marker Bar and Brasserie
- Stylish rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic views of Dublin
- Spa and Wellness Centre with five treatment rooms, 23 m infinity pool, and jacuzzi
- A fitness centre
Address: Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin 2
4. The Westbury – top-notch accommodation in a prime location
Overview: The family-owned Westbury Hotel was voted Best Hotel in Ireland in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Reader’s Choice Awards, and it’s easy to see why. The five-star luxury hotel is a Doyle Collection Hotel, with spacious, bright rooms, chandeliers, and Nespresso machines. Yet, it has managed to keep a cosy, casual vibe.
This hotel is close to… GRAFTON STREET! Located on Balfe Street, just off Grafton Street, you can walk out of the hotel lobby and be right in the heart of Dublin City Centre.
This hotel is perfect for… A SOPHISTICATED STAY! Right at the heart of the city, this sophisticated hotel will provide an upscale stay with all the facilities you could need.
Facilities here include:
- Classic and deluxe rooms and suites with king-size and queen-size beds
- 1930s-style Wilde Restaurant and Sidecar Bar
- All-day Balfes Bar and Brasserie
- Seven meeting and conference rooms
- In-room dining and family stays
Address: Balfe Street, Dublin 2
5. Blooms Hotel – a colourful stay in Temple Bar
Overview: Colourful Blooms Hotel in Temple Bar is just a stone’s throw from Dublin Castle and Trinity College, making it an ideal sightseeing base. The rooms and apartments come with all the modern amenities you’d need for a city break (or a business stay), including a flat-screen TV.
This hotel is close to… TEMPLE BAR! This contemporary hotel can be found right at the heart of Dublin’s Temple Bar district.
This hotel is perfect for… YOUNG COUPLES OR FRIEND GROUPS! Right at the heart of Dublin’s buzzing nightlife quarter, this hotel is perfect for those looking to be at the heart of the action.
Facilities here include:
- Lively Vat House Bar, with live music and cocktail mixing classes.
- CLUB M Nightclub, for those who want to dance.
- Flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, and complimentary Wi-Fi in the room.
- Convenient city centre location.
- Delicious Irish breakfast buffet.
Address: 3-6 Anglesea St, Dublin 2
RELATED: The ultimate 5 best bars in Temple Bar Dublin.
6. The Clarence Hotel – Bono’s rock-and-roll hotel
Overview: Owned by U2’s Bono and The Edge, The Clarence Hotel is considered Dublin’s original boutique rock-and-roll hotel. The five-star place is located on Wellington Quay in Temple Bar. It offers 48 double rooms as well as a Garden Terrace and a Penthouse Suite, all coming with wooden towel rails and original Irish pieces of art emphasising the hotel’s traditional touch.
This hotel is close to… TEMPLE BAR! At the heart of Dublin City Centre, this chic hotel is in the perfect central location for fans of Irish music, both modern and traditional.
This hotel is perfect for… MUSIC-LOVERS! Owned by U2 band members Bono and The Edge, a stay at The Clarence Hotel is a music-lovers dream.
Facilities here include:
- Ensuite rooms and suites with comfortable king-size beds
- On-site Cleaver East Restaurant, Tomahawk Steakhouse, Roberta’s Restaurant and Terrace, and Dollard and Co.
- The Curious Mister and The Stout Bar
- Meeting and events rooms
- An excellent breakfast in Cleaver East
Address: 6-8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2
READ ALSO: The 10 best Irish bands of all time ranked.
7. The Dean Hotel – the funky yet affordable hotel
Overview: If you are looking for something affordable with a funky touch, The Dean Hotel, just a 5-minute walk from Grafton Street and surrounded by bars and clubs, is your best bet. The stylish 4-star hotel in a Georgian townhouse sports a hipster retro vibe with chrome tables, wood-burning stoves, and old-school vinyl players.
This hotel is close to… ST STEPHEN’S GREEN! Located in the Georgian heart of the city, you are just minutes away from the busy city centre with a stay at this chic hotel.
This hotel is perfect for… COUPLES AND GROUPS OF FRIENDS! This trendy hotel can be found at the heart of the city. With a rooftop bar and restaurant, this hotel is perfect for those who love to drink and dine in style.
IN HIGH DEMAND: This is an extremely popular hotel. NEVER book last minute! Dublin is a very popular destination. Your trip will be much better value, and you will get to stay in the best hotels by booking at least three months in advance.
Facilities here include:
- Modern and comfortable boutique rooms
- Sophie’s Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
- POWER Gym, adults-only pool, and sauna
- Various meeting and conference rooms
- The trendy, laidback Dean Bar
- Convenient city centre location
Address: 33 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
8. The Alex – a refuge with industrial 1950s vibes
Overview: The Alex (formerly known as O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel) around the corner from Trinity College has an industrial 1950s vibe ‒ think sleek furnishing, plush sofas, steel, and lots of natural light.
This hotel is close to… TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN! Located just behind Trinity College Dublin, you are right at the heart of Dublin City Centre when staying at The Alex. This beautiful hotel is just a short walk to both Grafton Street and O’Connell Street at the heart of the busy city centre.
This hotel is perfect for… A STYLISH STAY! With industrial-style décor in abundance, The Alex provides a stylish stay and an excellent location.
Facilities here include:
- Modern and cosy rooms with king-size beds and artwork on the walls
- Ensuite bathrooms with rainforest showers
- A Work Hub on the ground floor lobby with extra fast Wi-Fi
- The Carriage Restaurant, the Secret Garden outdoor terrace, Steam coffee shop
- 24-hour gym and meeting spaces
Address: 41-47 Fenian St, Dublin 2
9. Marlin Hotel – a luxury hipster playground
Overview: Just a few minutes’ walk from Grafton Street, the newly opened Marlin Hotel is a luxury hipster playground with an industrial nod. The sculptural tree, red Vespa, and horsebox doubling as a coffee station in the lobby are great for Instagram pictures, while the self-check-in minimises waiting times at the reception.
This hotel is close to… ST STEPHEN’S GREEN! Located just off Grafton Street and close to St Stephen’s Green, you are never too far from shops and the city’s amenities staying here.
This hotel is perfect for… A UNIQUE STAY! The hipster décor here makes this the perfect location to brighten up your Instagram feed.
Facilities here include:
- 300 rooms and suites with luxury double beds
- Smart TVs, illuminating mirrors, automated blackout blinds, and Bluetooth speakers
- A co-working space with super-fast Wi-Fi
- A library area with an impressive vinyl collection
- Marlin Canteen Restaurant and on-site Marlin Bar and Grill
Address: 11 Bow Lane East, Dublin 2
10. Aloft Dublin City – a favourite of millenials
Overview: Aloft Dubin City is a 202-bedroom hotel on Mill Street in the heart of The Liberties. Although relatively new, it has quickly become one of the ten best hotels in Dublin city centre, especially popular with the tech-savvy millennial crowd. Part of the Marriott International Inc, colourful and stylish Aloft Dublin City looks like something straight out of an influencer’s Instagram feed.
This hotel is close to… PORTOBELLO! Located close to Dublin’s quiet Portobello area, you will enjoy a peaceful stay out of the city centre while only being a 15-minute walk away from the heart of the city.
This hotel is perfect for… TECH-SAVVY INDIVIDUALS! This modern hotel has some cool futuristic features that anyone interested in tech will love.
Facilities here include:
- Cosy rooms with queen-size or king-size beds
- Ensuite bathrooms with rainforest showers and Bliss Spa amenities
- QR codes to open doors, emoji-operated room-service, and ‘Lofty’, the WhatsApp concierge
- WXYZ Bar and Tenters Gastro Pub
- Re:Fuel by Aloft and Re:Mix Lounge
- Re-charge Fitness Centre
Address: 1 Mill St, The Liberties, Dublin, Dublin 8
Other notable mentions
Boutique Hotels: The Wilder Townhouse, The Morgan Hotel, Cliff Townhouse
Budget Hotels: Hotel 7, Hotel Moxy, The Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre
Family Hotels: The Croke Park Hotel, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Camden Court Hotel
Spa Hotels: The Marker Hotel, Castleknock Hotel, Royal Marine Hotel
Luxury Hotels: The Westbury, Conrad Dublin, The Clarence Hotel
Hotels with a Pool: The Bonnington Dublin, Camden Court Hotel, The Mayson
Hotels near the Airport: Premier Inn Dublin Airport, Holiday Inn Dublin Airport, Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport
Hotels in Temple Bar: Zanzibar Locke, The Clarence Hotel, Harding Hotel
Hotels in St Stephen’s Green: Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dean Dublin, Marlin Hotel
Hotels in Dublin’s Docklands: Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, The Schoolhouse Hotel, Beckett Locke
FAQs about the best hotels in Dublin City Centre
What are the best hotels near The Guinness Storehouse?
Aloft Dublin City is a great hotel that is not too far from The Guinness Storehouse.
Which part of Dublin is the best to stay in?
Choosing where to stay in Dublin depends on what you want to see and do while you’re here. On your first visit, we recommend staying around the city centre (O’Connell Street, St Stephen’s Green, or Temple Bar) to allow you to explore the city’s central attractions with ease.
What area is Portobello?
Portobello is known to be one of the safest areas in Dublin. With a small-town feel, you wouldn’t believe you’re just ten minutes from the city centre.
