DYLAN HOTEL

Glamorous style hotspot in posh Georgian Dublin

THIS GLAMOROUS DUBLIN STYLE HOTSPOT is an exuberant mix of rococo and retro – and lots in between. The Dylan is everything a bold boutique hotel should be – decadent and fun, sassy and sophisticated. It’s the glammest place in the Guinness capital by a long chalk.

Slide into one of the Dylan's slinky scarlet or lime green sofas and take in a riot of colour and textures – outsize glass chandeliers, leather studded walls and an extrovert mix of bright and baroque. This is designer-land from top to bottom, where even the books in the library have colour-coordinated green jackets.

Bedrooms at the Dylan are big on style and big on beds. Mood lighting, plenty of mirrors and an iPod loaded with the hotel’s music collection set the tone. Needless to say, Dylan guests don’t sit in their room poring over the Financial Times – check out the fun adult game packs (complete with naughty blindfolds) in the minibar.

Designer decadence

Rooms are remarkably restful despite their upbeat colours, and the technics are all there, too – a Bose sound system, Bang & Olufsen cordless phone, plasma TV, iPod dock and wi-fi. Sleek travertine-tiled bathrooms are loaded with Etro toiletries, and chocolate brownies arrive with turndown.

Bedrooms are made for playtime, with Seventh Heaven beds. Book a Style room to make the most of this designer haven, or – for the full Dylan decadence quota – take an Experience Suite complete with a seven foot bed, a built-in bathroom TV, oversize bathtub and walk-in shower with body jets with surround sound. Enough said.

Ready to surface? Perch on a plush bar stool and sip a vodka cocktail at the Dylan’s signature pewter bar, where you can rub shoulders with Dublin’s glitterati.  There’s plenty of after-dark buzz and you can nab a seat on the little outside terrace if it’s sunny. Dine later amid the palest fresh-cream shades of Still, the hotel’s smart restaurant.

For all its style, Dylan Hotel has plenty of substance. Beds (specially made for the hotel) are super-comfortable and wrapped in Frette linens. Baths are big and showers come with plenty of power. Welcoming, can-do staff – attired in chic black, naturally – are happy to go the extra mile and service wins plenty of plaudits from guests.

While staying here doesn’t come cheap – make sure your credit card is suitably primed –  it’s the coolest address in Dublin town. Glam’s the word here. Pass the Guinness!


Dylan Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by  Mairiona Cotter

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Dining in
The style at the Dylan’s Still Restaurant is modern Irish, so expect a twist on traditional favourites such as roast Irish beef fillet with wild mushroom risotto, Albufera froth and girolles. Chef Gary Hughes uses the freshest ingredients to create dishes such as pan-fried red mullet with bouillabaisse reduction, couscous and fresh anchovy.

Round everything off with a wicked Tahitian vanilla panna cotta with macerated berries and raspberry sorbet. The restaurant also brags what’s reckoned to be Ireland’s best wine list. For lunchtime fare, a Club sandwich should do the trick. 

You can also enjoy Mediterranean style afternoon tea at The Dylan: forget cucumber sandwiches and get your teeth into  herb foccacia and other savoury bites or a scrummy lemon curd crumble. The new evening tapas menu includes spicy Gazpacho and miniature rolls topped with with tapenade, ratatouille and anchovy.

Dining out
Within ten minutes walk of the Dylan you have a great choice of restaurants. from the Michelin starred Patrick Guilbaud to l’Ecrivain and Shanahan’s on the Green. For informal dining try Bang Café  or Peploe’s wine bar. Chapter One is a great pre-theatre restaurant on Parnell Street, ten minutes away by cab.

See & Do
You’re in posh Georgian Dublin here – a  pleasant 15-minute walk from the city’s main attractions and shopping streets. (Your in-room iPod even has info on walks around Dublin loaded).

Have a liquid taste of Ireland on a sampling visit to Jamieson’s Distillery and the Guinness storehouse, or visit the cathedrals of Christchurch and Saint Patrick for a more uplifting (or not) experience. Art buffs should head for the National Gallery of Ireland, while there’s Irish history aplenty at Dublin Castle.

Shop
Grafton Street is home to most of Dublin’s designer stores, as well as the Brown Thomas department store, showcasing top-of-the-range Irish and international labels. Don’t pass up the chance to come home with some (justly famous) Irish knitwear and linen, or a bottle or two of the water of life – known to the rest of us as whiskey.

After dark
If you’re up for the craic, Dublin is the place to party until late. Start off with a cocktail or two in the Dylan’s hopping bar – great for people watching – and take in some music at one of the city’s traditional Irish pubs. Head to Crystal or Lillie's Bordello nightclubs if sleep isn’t on the agenda.

Dates
February
Take the luck of the Irish off to Leopardstown racecourse for a flutter on the Gold Cup – highlight of the racing season.

March 17
Dublin turns into one giant party for St Patrick’s Day with parades, music and day-long revelry.  Don’t blame us for the hangover.

GETTING THERE

Location
Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4

Parking
There’s no on-site carpark, but plenty of parking nearby. However, you won’t need a car in Dublin.

Trains
Connolly station – 1.5 km

Taxis
Around EUR 35 from the airport.

Airport
Dublin – 10km.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 199 - 690

Open/closed
Closed 24 – 27 December.

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
Midday

Minimum night stay?
Two nights

Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10:30am, or 11am at weekends.

Room service
Available 24 hours.

Children
Welcome

Pets
Guide dogs only

Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms

Languages
English, Spanish, French, German and Polish.

Wedding license?
Not for the ceremony, but definitely for the party afterwards. The Dylan is tailor-made for small, informal non-traditional weddings, catering for up to 30 guests. 

Your contact
Siobhan Delaney – General manager