Dublin Hotels

Enjoying a great location on the north bank of the River Liffey, the recently expanded Morrison Hotel is not only an oasis of tranquillity but also a showcase for the talent of Ireland's internationally renowned designer John Rocha. The interior is unashamedly chic, with a minimalist theme of East meets West. All 138 bedrooms are equipped with high-tech gadgets and the various bars, restaurants and the nightclub are popular with the local style brigade.

Luxurious and ultra-modern, The Fitzwilliam commands a striking central location with the calm and tranquillity of St Stephen's Green to one side and Grafton Street to the other. Theirs is a stark, minimalist interpretation of typical country house features, using chrome, frosted glass, large leather sofas and dramatic down lighting. Its large roof garden is great for summer sunshine.

Dublin's most sumptuous 142-room hotel looks like a standard Georgian block of houses, but behind its modest façade, it has been sensitively restored to combine period elegance with 5-star modern facilities. There's a classy restaurant, sizeable pool, gym and spa, but also magnificent formal, landscaped gardens, forming a serene haven far removed from the frenetic city centre.

Overlooking elegant Fitzwilliam Place, Number 31 is the former home of Ireland's leading architect, Sam Stephenson. It has since been converted into a highly sophisticated, award-winning guesthouse with an emphasis on detail, luxury and simplicity. This stylish property offers a variety of en-suite accommodation, as well as secure car parking, but it's the intimate beauty that wins guests over.

This seriously sexy boutique hotel offers chic visitors a chance to really show off in an uber cool bar that serves first-rate cocktails. The 55 bespoke rooms are amongst Ireland's most stylish. Neat in-room touches include iPod docks pre-loaded with a walking tour of the city, laptop compatible safes and Italian marble in the bathrooms.

A veritable Dublin institution immortalised in James Joyce's epic Ulysses, and now something of a hub for the Ireland rugby team, the 5-star Shelbourne Hotel has been home to the rich and famous (and even royalty) since its opening in the 18th century. Centrally located beside St Stephen's Green, with 265 opulent rooms, celebrated bars and restaurants, and a smart health club, it remains one of Dublin's most distinguished hotels.

Amberley House is ideal if you're planning to dive into Dublin's late night activities but still want to wake up in comfort. This isn't the Ritz, but they do the basics extremely well, and it is as central as you can get without going really upmarket. All rooms have free Wi-Fi.

This cheap, city centre hotel harks back almost 200 years. It is very old school Dublin and as such boasts some impressive period features in its façade and public areas. The rooms have been recently refurbished, with free Wi-Fi available in most of them, though snuggle up in the Library Bar and the years still drift away.

A simple base, Generator Hostel is the place to be if you're looking to bump into other travellers. Adorned with graffiti and host of regular markets, the owners do their best to give this place genuine colourful charm. It is also in the Smithfield area so is convenient for the city centre and the fantastic Block T culture space.