The Merrion Hotel occupies four restored Georgian townhouses on Upper Merrion Street in Dublin 2, directly opposite the imposing facade of Government Buildings and a short walk from Merrion Square Park. The LUAS Green Line stop at St Stephen's Green is a seven-minute walk; Dublin Airport is reachable in under 35 minutes by taxi or the Airlink express coach.
The hotel was assembled from townhouses dating to the 1760s and opened in 1997 after a painstaking restoration. Period plasterwork ceilings, antique furnishings, and one of Ireland's most significant private art collections — more than 130 works including pieces by Jack B. Yeats and Louis le Brocquy — give the public rooms an atmosphere that feels more country house than city hotel. A formal garden courtyard at the rear provides a calm retreat from the city.
Accommodation spans 142 rooms and suites across the townhouses and a modern garden wing. Classic rooms are generously proportioned with high ceilings and marble bathrooms; Garden Suites overlook the private parterre garden and include separate sitting areas. Room sizes run from approximately 35 square metres for Classic categories to over 100 square metres in the principal suites.
Dining is anchored by Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland's only two-Michelin-star restaurant, housed in the hotel and open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The Cellar Restaurant, set in the original brick vaults beneath the townhouses, serves a more relaxed modern Irish menu and houses an extensive wine cellar. The Cellar Bar draws locals and guests for cocktails and bar food.
The Tethra Spa occupies the garden wing and includes an 18-metre indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, steam room, sauna, and five treatment rooms offering ESPA products and body therapies. A fully equipped fitness centre adjoins the spa.
Service at the Merrion is formal without being stiff. A 24-hour concierge team handles theatre bookings, private car transfers, and guided itineraries across Leinster. The hotel is a popular choice for diplomatic stays and corporate travellers requiring proximity to government offices; family-friendly touches include children's bathrobes and dedicated menus.
Room types
- Classic
- Superior
- Deluxe
- Junior Suite
- Garden Suite
Amenities
- Spa
- 2 restaurants (Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud)
- Bar
- Indoor pool
- Gym
- Concierge
- Art collection
Location
Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 NH04
53.3389, -6.2513 View on map
Highlights
- Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud — Ireland's only two-Michelin-star restaurant, located within the hotel
- Private art collection of over 130 works including Jack B. Yeats originals displayed throughout public spaces
- 18-metre indoor pool and Tethra Spa set in a purpose-built garden wing
- Restored Georgian townhouses with original 18th-century plasterwork ceilings
- Formal parterre garden courtyard offering a quiet retreat minutes from the city centre
Tips for visiting
- Reserve a table at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud well in advance — bookings often fill two to three months ahead, especially for weekend lunches.
- Ask for a Garden Wing room if pool access matters; these rooms are quieter and have direct access to the spa facilities.
- The Cellar Bar serves afternoon light bites and is less formal than the main restaurants — a good option for solo travellers or quick meals.
- Upper Merrion Street has limited street parking; use the nearby Merrion Square car park or arrange car service through the concierge.