The hotel is expected to open Summer 2010.

Set away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, in Dublin's exclusive Ballsbridge district, is Blakes Hotel & Spa. It's a clean-lined and contemporary urban bolthole, luxuriously appointed to a five-star standard.

The facilities

The restaurant serves Modern Irish cuisine, but it's the award-winning breakfasts that guests' really rave about; hearty and traditional, they are a reason to visit by themselves. The spa is state-of-the-art, and offers a range of treatments from oil-seasalt massage, to shiatsu, to La stone therapies.

There's a lovely Zen Garden, complete with outdoor heated pool, plus a function room, meeting facilities, a sauna and steam room. A luxury coach link to Dublin Airport can be arranged, as can private transfers.

The rooms

Each of the70 guestrooms at Blakes Hotel & Spa is luxe-contemporary in style, in keeping with its communal areas. All boast complimentary wifi, air conditioning, plasma televisions, CD and DVD players and complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water as standard.