The Merrion

"How did it strike you on arrival?The Merrion was created from four townhouses that date to the 1760s; as striking as the façade may be, nothing compares to the interior. The lobby, all marble columns and doormen in top hats, leads to a plush drawing room where guests take tea by a roaring fire. The food here is exceptional; the hotel is home to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, the only two-Michelin-starred spot in Ireland, and the Garden Room, which is set within the hotel's manicured private garden. There’s a large collection of private art (you can take self-guided tours with an audio headset), too. Nice. What’s the crowd like?This is a special-occasion kind of place, so you'll see guests dressed for afternoon tea, or for dinner at one of the restaurants. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Elegant and muted, with plenty of soft blues and grays, the rooms at The Merrion have a traditional tone that never feels fussy. You’re better off opting for a room or suite in the main house, where you’ll find more Georgian features and a dash more character. The Lord Monck suite is incredible, with high, intricately carved vaulted ceilings, eons of space, and crystal glasses for your nightcap. Not that you’ll need any help getting to sleep—with silky 400-thread count sheets, fluffy duvets, and pillows that feel like marshmallows, the beds at The Merrion are so good you’ll want to stay for a week. How about the little things; any extras worth noting?The Wi-Fi is speedy and free. And if you head down to the spa, you might just get handed a little glass of strawberry sorbet—a nice touch. Room service and food: Worth it?With three excellent restaurants onsite, you probably won’t be looking for room service. But if you find you can't leave the dreamy beds, there’s a fairly solid selection on the in-room dining menu, including platters of Irish shellfish and smoked salmon. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whatever stuck with you.The swimming pool is blissfully serene, with a steam room off to one side. Bottom line: worth it, and why?A timeless treasure, this is one of the finest hotels in Dublin, if not in all of Ireland." - Nicola Brady