Dylan Hotel

"How did it strike you on arrival?The recently renovated Dylan is fun, stylish, and well thought through. The original rooms have retained their quirky details, such as oversized misshaped armchairs or bedside lights shaped like branches. The new rooms, meanwhile, are an absolute delight, with minimalist copper night tables and padded headboards that curve ever so slightly around the bed. Because the hotel isn't located quite in the city center, the surrounding streets are blissfully quiet without being too far from the action. On a nice day, you can move like a cat to follow the sun—the front terrace gets all the morning light, while the new back patio is great for afternoon tanning. Nice. What’s the crowd like?This is a business-heavy area; midweek, you’ll find executives and tech heads. Irish guests tend to be loyal to The Dylan, many of whom have known about the hotel since it opened in 2006. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Although the older rooms and suites have a distinctive style, we love the pared-back look of the new rooms, which all have individually controlled A/C (never a given in Ireland) and memory-foam beds draped in percale linens. Bathrooms are stocked with custom toiletries by Handmade Soap Co. and fluffy monogrammed towels. How about the little things; any extras worth noting?Well-behaved four-legged friends are welcome here, for a fee. They even get their own beds, food, and water bowls. Room service and food: Worth it?The room service menu, which is priced exactly the same as the bar downstairs, features classics like gargantuan chicken Caesar salads, club sandwiches, and wings; the mini bar is stocked with Irish products like Butlers chocolates and Ritchies Milky Mints. All of the rooms are outfitted with a table and chairs, so you needn’t risk ruining the bed—but hey, no judgements. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whatever stuck with you.There’s no spa, but the Callan and Co. salon across the street offers hair styling, beauty treatments, and nail services. Valet parking is 24 hours a day, and is cheaper than other area options. Bottom line: worth it, and why?A funky hotel in a gorgeous building, the Dylan marches to the beat of its own drummer." - Nicola Brady