A Good Craic by Nicholas Clarke
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The Irish sure know how to have a good time - just ask bad-boy actor Colin Farrell - so it's hardly surprising that their capital, Dublin, is also the capital of Ireland's heady party scene. While it's certainly not cheap, you'll get a lot of Guinness for your Euro here, that's for sure.
Ranking among the top city-break destinations in Europe, Dublin’s cityscape has changed considerably over the years to cater to a new wave of well-heeled tourists. Despite the influx of boutique hotels, trendy restaurants and hip hangouts in the historic capital, however, what makes Dublin special is that the spirit of its people remains unaltered; approachable and down-to-earth, it’s refreshing to see a chic European city where pretension hasn’t taken over (not naming names).
While we’ll allow our readers to guzzle Guinness with the best of 'em upon visiting, we do expect you to rest up somewhere suitably cool during your stay. If you’re after a boutique beauty then The Clarence is just the ticket. Located in the heart of the city on the famous River Liffey, the posh property is partly owned by U2’s very own Bono, meaning it has celebrity appeal as well as oodles of style.
Inside you’ll find 50 well-appointed rooms, an oak-panelled reception area and a study with an authentic open fireplace. Furnished with original artworks, antiques and vases of flowers Elton John would be proud of, the hotel stays true to its 1852-heritage without being overly stiff. And a Dublin hotel wouldn’t be a Dublin hotel without a bar, with The Clarence’s skylighted Octagonal Bar being one of the trendiest in the city. Here ladies in slinky dresses clink champagne flutes with pinstriped businessmen in leather club chairs, while next door in The Tea Room ravenous guests tuck their serviettes into their collars and dine on Irish-inspired cuisine overseen by executive chef Mathieu Melin.
As one of the best (and most expensive) restaurants in Dublin, you’re sure to find something on the menu that tickles your taste buds. If you’d like to steer clear of Bono’s gaff but still want to stay in a small hotel, then Number 31 is a suitably stylish alternative. While it’s strictly classed as a B&B, the award-winning Number 31 masquerades wonderfully as a boutique hotel with its sunken lounge, mirrored bar, floor-to-ceiling windows and hip clientele.
As the former Georgian home of modernist architect Sam Stephenson, Number 31 has a total of 21 rooms, all of which are gorgeously sleek and modern. Some even have their own patios on which a breakfast of kippers, homemade breads and granola can be taken. Comfortable and achingly fashionable, this 60s-esque hotspot is a haven for anyone with an ounce of style running through their veins.
Not everyone likes to stay in small hotels, however, so those who think big is beautiful should check out The Shelbourne. Despite being part of the Marriott chain – recently added to its Renaissance portfolio of high-quality heritage hotels - The Shelbourne has its own distinct personality that sets it aside from its sister hotels, with distinguished features such as an original staircase built in 1824 and an old-fashioned barbershop in the basement. It’s all about vintage European glamour here, with guests able to enjoy afternoon tea (in bone-china cups, no less) and cucumber sandwiches in the drawing room, gossip-mongering in the famous Horseshoe Bar and seriously good seafood and champagne in The Saddle Room restaurant.
If cocktails and gorgeous people are what you’re after, then step into the hotel's No21 bar where you’ll get just that. Its 265 rooms are nothing short of stunning, too, but we do recommend you push the boat out and opt for a Heritage Parkview Room. With an awe-inspiring view of St Stephen’s Green (hence the room's name), the 32-square-metre suite is designed by Frank Nicholson and features a feather bed with 300 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and adjoining marble bathroom cluttered with the best designer toiletries. To Dublin as The Dorchester is to London, The Shelbourne is a lavish and as luxurious as large-scale city hotels get.
When you’re not holed up in a hotel room somewhere, throw on your glad-rags and head into the night for some good grub and drinks Dublin-style. Have the concierge ring you a taxi and be taken direct to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, arguably the city’s finest eatery. Headed up by the chef of the same name, who, incidentally, has two Michelin stars tucked away under his heaving apron, the restaurant serves French dishes such as open ravioli with lobster, coconut cream, curried olive oil and almonds, as well as roast sea scallops with cauliflower pureé. The interior is plush, too, so be sure to be on your best behaviour. Alternatively, try the Michelin-starred Chapter One to the north of the city. We suggest hiring one of the private rooms such as the cavernous Vault Room for a truly exceptional experience, where you can wolf down excessive amounts of French food and wine in complete and utter privacy.
After dinner the crowds gravitate towards Temple Bar, a city quarter that’s brimming with hundreds of raucous pubs and clubs. For a taste of authentic Irish nightlife make tracks for Doheny & Nesbitt, where you’ll mingle with burly rugby team members necking as much ale as they can possibly get down their gullets. You’ll also be able to jig to traditional Irish music, mimicking the lively dancing so wonderfully pulled off by Jack and Rose in Titanic. There's plenty of upscale wine bars and cocktail lounges here for posh party-goers, too.
It’s not only livin' it up that’s to be done in Dublin, either; packed with more culture than you can shake a stick at, including the famous Trinity College Library, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin High Court and General Post Office, it’s a city of both historic interest and hip happenings. Indeed, whatever you end up doing in Dublin, you're sure of a bloody good craic.