The Gresham Hotel stands on Upper O'Connell Street in Dublin 1, on the main north-side thoroughfare running from the Liffey to Parnell Square. The hotel is directly opposite the Spire of Dublin and a short walk from the Garden of Remembrance (five minutes) and the Dublin Writers Museum (seven minutes). The LUAS Cross City stops on O'Connell Street are at the hotel's door; the central bus station, Busáras, is a ten-minute walk; Connolly DART station is twelve minutes on foot.
The Gresham was founded in 1817 by Thomas Gresham and has operated continuously as a hotel, making it one of the oldest in Dublin. The current building dates largely from a 1927 reconstruction following damage in the 1916 Rising and the Civil War. The interiors were extensively refurbished in recent years, updating the guest rooms and public areas while retaining the hotel's traditional scale. The lobby's high ceilings and chandeliers remain its defining architectural feature.
With 323 rooms and suites, the Gresham is one of Dublin's largest hotels. Room categories span Standard doubles through to Suites; the higher floors on the O'Connell Street facade have views down the wide boulevard toward the Liffey and Ha'penny Bridge. Rooms are comfortable and well-maintained, though sizes and fittings reflect a mid-range classification.
The Calvey Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a traditional Irish and European menu. The Writers Lounge and Bar is a long-established informal space for afternoon tea and evening drinks, popular with both guests and city-centre workers. Afternoon tea here draws some comparisons with the Lord Mayor's Lounge at the Shelbourne, though at a lower price point.
A fitness centre is available to guests. There is no spa or swimming pool on site.
The Gresham suits travellers who prefer the north side of the city — closer to the Custom House, Croke Park, and the Northside cultural quarter — or those attending events at the O2 (3Arena), reachable in around 20 minutes on foot along the quays.
Room types
- Standard
- Superior
- Junior Suite
- Suite
Amenities
- Restaurant (The Calvey Restaurant)
- Bar
- Gym
- Afternoon tea
- Concierge
Location
23 Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, D01 C397
53.3510, -6.2609 View on map
Highlights
- Dublin's oldest continually operating hotel, founded 1817 — carrying nearly two centuries of city history
- Central O'Connell Street location opposite the Spire of Dublin with LUAS Cross City directly at the door
- 323 rooms making it one of the largest hotels in the city, with consistent availability even during busy periods
- The Calvey Restaurant and Writers Lounge serving traditional Irish fare and afternoon tea
- Convenient access to Croke Park, the 3Arena, and Dublin's Northside cultural institutions
Tips for visiting
- Upper-floor rooms on the O'Connell Street side have excellent views down the boulevard but carry more street noise on weekends; request a rear room for quieter nights.
- The Writers Lounge afternoon tea is significantly less expensive than equivalent offerings at St Stephen's Green hotels and requires less advance booking.
- The LUAS Cross City stop outside the door connects directly across the city to Ranelagh, Rathmines, and the south suburbs without changing.
- Croke Park, Ireland's largest stadium, is a 20-minute walk northeast — the Gresham is the most convenient major hotel for All-Ireland match days.