The Westbury Hotel, The Doyle Collection - Dublin

The Westbury Hotel is right in the heart of Dublin. Briefly explore the centre of the city and you will quickly realise the prime area to stay. Somewhere close to the verdant expanse of St Stephens Green perhaps? Near to the vibrant creative quarter and nightlife of Temple Bar certainly. Maybe within strolling distance of the historic Trinity College and Dublin Castle whilst having easy access to the shopping of Grafton Street?

Pop a pin at the point approximately where all these districts (sort of) merge and you will be within a few yards of The Westbury Hotel. If this location sounds rather frantic, it is not. The hotel enjoys a side street location – a few steps off the buzzing Grafton Street, past the flower stalls and the statue of Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, and you will find the flags at the hotels entrance fluttering over a relatively calm and largely pedestrianised oasis.

Although the building is less than forty years old the owners, the family-run Doyle Collection have so effectively styled the hotel with marble, brass and crystal that it feels like stepping back in to The Great Gatsby.

A cheery welcome and a grand staircase brings you up to the lobby where the space opens out to accommodate the ‘Gallery’ – an open plan area of comfortable sofas and fabulous flower arrangements. Giant Waterford chandeliers and museum quality Irish artworks add substantial glamour and style.

It is something of a local tradition to relax here enjoying one of their impressive afternoon teas or fresh, healthy juices alongside a mix local socialites and international tourists.

Just past the piano, where live music is played on weekends, you will find the Sidecar bar – a dark Deco style bolt-hole with mirrored lamps, canary yellow leather stools and a metallic bar. A lovely touch is a Martini trolley that brings ingredients for a custom cocktail mix right at your table.

Standard rooms are excellent and relatively spacious. There is plenty of traditional design but its balanced with classy contemporary touches, dark woods alongside a restful palette of creams and taupes. We enjoyed one of the newly styled rooms, very similar in colour and tone but slightly less cosier with more soft cushions and rounded corners. Studio and upgraded rooms are progressively grander and bigger.

All rooms include plenty of thoughtful touches: mineral water, turn down chocolates, lovely Irish crystal glasses and Nespresso. Luxury Sealy beds are made up with 100 per cent Irish Lissadel linen. Bathrooms are black and cream and feature the fluffiest towels and robes that you will ever experience, as well as classy Aromatherapy Associates toiletries.

The Westbury Hotel have a policy of supporting local arts and during our stay had teamed up with the local Design School to create an Everything’s Rosé experience. The hotels fine dining restaurant has been transformed with a glamorous floral installation that turns at least part of the dining area in to a summery outdoor terrace where you can enjoy pre dinner Rose G&T or other pink themed cocktail.

The Wilde Restaurant lives up to the high levels of quality and service set by the hotel. You can enjoy a flight of rosé wines as an accompaniment to accompany their carefully sourced, seasonal Irish produce.

Naturally there is an emphasis on seafood with starters including Carlingford Lough rock oysters and pan-roasted Castletownbere scallops. We enjoyed a perfect Dublin bay prawn cocktail followed by the local market catch of the day. This was a fabulously fresh and perfectly prepared cod.

The award-winning sommelier assisted in selecting from a top quality wine list whilst a selection of miniature desserts, each one handmade and exquisitely flavoured rounded off an exceptional meal.

On the ground floor Balfes serves up more informal offerings in a New York brasserie style setting whilst an excellent buffet breakfast is taken in Wilde.

The aforementioned central location allowed us to experience the city without feeling that we had to depart for a full day. Most attractions seemed to be within a 15 minute stroll and we would regularly drop back to the friendly welcome and serene calm of the Westbury Hotel to freshen up ready for the next sortie.

The Westbury is part of the Doyle Collection, with a modest selection of city hotels. So far we have experienced their offerings in Dublin as well as in Washington DC and Bristol (see links to reviews below), where our experiences were equally impressive. This is a small family-run chain with a personal touch and attention to detail that really pays off.

For more information visit www.doylecollection.com

Find your travel books & holiday reading at the CELLOPHANELAND* bookstore

CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of the Westbury Hotel & The Doyle Collection

Other Doyle Collection Hotels reviewed by CELLOPHANELAND* include:

Hotel Bristol – Bristol UK

The Dupont Circle – Washington DC

Images by CELLOPHANELAND* and The Doyle Collection