Review of The Fitzwilliam, by Nancy Lyon

The Fitzwilliam, a stylish design hotel at the top of Grafton Street in the rambunctious heart of Dublin, provides a lavish retreat in an awesome location. As for star-studded conviviality, cuisine, perks and quirks - for business, leisure, romance or shopping - the hotel has thought of everything!

For its 10th anniversary in 2008, British design genius Sir Terrence Conran accentuated it with bold burgundy and zingy limes dashed with jazzy blacks and whites. The Fitzwilliam's dramatic lobby features castle-inspired motifs. A moat of floor tiles flows under a mezzanine drawbridge, while a "gatekeeper" concierge garbed in a swallow tail coat attends over all.

Ireland's celebrity chef Kevin Thornton presides over The Fitzwilliam's Michelin star Thornton's Restaurant, featuring imaginative contemporary Irish creations. The more informal Citron Restaurant features Fintan Ryan's innovative Mediterranean cuisine, with wows like pan-seared fillet of hake wrapped in Parma ham on spring onion mash, topped with tomato fondue and Parma crisp. The breakfast buffet is a lavish feast of Irish fry-ups tempered with every kind of fresh fruit, homemade yogurt, baked goods and cereals grains, juices and smoothies.

As for Irish pub chat, the pewter bar of The Fitzwilliam's Inn on the Green is a Dubliner's "in" place. Another cosy module is the reading nook of The Fitzwilliam's lobby, stocked with classics and hung with black-and-white portraits of Abbey Theatre actors. Other perks are a beauty salon, nail bar and hairdressing salon, and 24-hour business centre with internet and fax facilities. An arsenal of fitness machines fills the 24-hour gym.

The Fitzwilliam has 139 executive, superior and deluxe bedrooms, two signature suites and a to-die-for rooftop garden Penthouse. Patio heaters warm the balconies, which overlook St. Stephen's Green or Ireland's largest rooftop garden, romantically lit by evening.

Rooms have complimentary wired and wireless internet access, CD players and iPod docks. Large bathrooms are stocked with imported H20 spa toiletries, and have generous tubs with power/rain showers. Plush divan beds are draped with crisp white Egyptian cotton and down duvets topped with colorful hand-woven Irish wools. Dimmer light switches and dreamy bathroom candles add to the soothing atmosphere. Long-distance travellers can request check-ins as early as 7:00 am, or enjoy the Fitzwilliam Hotel's special Freshening-Up room with shower and changing facilities.

The 160sqm Penthouse has three balconies, bedroom and study (or second bedroom), two full baths, private bar, kitchen, two fireplaces, and remote-controlled flat screen; and comes with barman and butler. Most decadent of all is the gigantic oval soaking tub, complete with TV and library of books.