The Merrion Hotel Dublin

The Merrion, located in the heart of Dublin city centre, is the capital’s most luxurious five star hotel, and a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The 142-bedroom and suite hotel is as welcoming as it is stylish. An impeccable restoration of four Georgian townhouses,

The Merrion is a marriage of exquisite comfort, relaxed elegance and advanced guest facilities, including free Wi-Fi, an 18m pool, spa and gym. The Merrion is home to the 2-star Michelin Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, The Cellar Bar, The Garden Room, and the intimate No. 23 Cocktail Bar.

This 5 star luxury hotel is to be found in the heart of Georgian Dublin, opposite Government Buildings and a few minutes’ walk from galleries, museums, the I.F.S.C, Dublin Convention Centre, pubs, restaurants and the shops of Grafton Street.

A Rich History
The Merrion is one of the most significant restoration projects which has taken place in Dublin over recent years. The Georgian architecture lends itself perfectly to the needs of a hotel: the elegantly simple and dignified exterior of the houses give presence and a wonderful sense of arrival, to The Merrion.

Mornington House has transitional interiors of great magnificence which provide an exciting backdrop for the activities of the hotel and its guests. These four important Listed houses have been sympathetically restored and brought back to life to be enjoyed by people from all over the world.

The Merrion is set in the heart of Georgian Dublin on Upper Merrion Street, opposite Government Buildings, the home of the Irish Government.

The Main House of the hotel is comprised of four meticulously restored Grade I Listed Georgian townhouses and a specially commissioned contemporary Garden Wing is arranged around two private period gardens.

The houses were built in the 1760’s by Lord Monck (Charles Stanley Monck) for wealthy Irish merchants and nobility. He lived in No. 22, which became known as Monck House. The most important of the four houses is, however, No. 24 Upper Merrion Street.

This was leased to Garrett Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, in 1769, it has since been known as Mornington House. The house is remembered historically as being the birthplace of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington.

All four houses had been in use as state offices for most of this century. The well-known Irish writer, Flan O’Brien,(also known as Myles na Gopaleen) author of “The Third Policeman,” allegedly worked in the buildings when he worked for the government.

Garden Wing Rooms & Suites
The luxurious rooms in our contemporary Garden Wing either look out over the beautiful landscaped gardens to the rear of the hotel or have Dublin street views.

Garden Wing Penthouse Suite
The two-bedroom Merrion Penthouse has played host to heads of state, visiting dignitaries, celebrities, and other guests for whom independence and privacy are vital. This is a sumptuously appointed apartment that offers a level of luxury consistent with the status of The Merrion as Ireland’s foremost 5 star hotel.

The Merrion Penthouse offers private access and security. The interior of the two-storey apartment, which can accommodate up to five guests, is elegant, yet comfortable and conducive to relaxation.

On the ground floor, both bedrooms are en-suite with separate baths and showers. The bedrooms are decorated with Georgian-inspired fabrics, in keeping with the heritage of the original 18th-century townhouses at the heart of Dublin’s finest luxury hotel.

Upstairs, the carpeted living and dining areas are decorated with exquisite furniture and fabrics. The separate marble-floored kitchen is fully equipped for the convenience of those who like to cook for themselves.

Guests can relax in the Penthouse Suite’s own Music Room, and on the private wraparound roof landscaped terrace which overlooks the hotel’s classical 18th-century gardens.

The Penthouse offers private access and is equipped with free Wi-Fi, multi-line telephones, personalised voicemail with remote access, video conferencing, cable/satellite television with movies available on demand, individually controlled air-conditioning, two seating areas, a dining table seating six, a study, a fully- equipped kitchen and two fully-stocked mini-bars.

Garden Wing Suites
Located in the contemporary Garden Wing, these one- and two-bedroom luxury suites are ideal for families. Bedrooms can be configured with either king or twin beds, and each bedroom has its own bathroom with separate bath and shower.

The sitting room area is furnished with a dining table seating four, a sofa and two armchairs, a coffee table with a selection of lifestyle magazines and a Nespresso coffee machine. The flexibility and comfort of our Garden Wing suites make The Merrion the perfect choice for a family break in Dublin.

Main House Rooms & Suites
Dublin may have changed a lot since the 1760s, but the original rooms and suites of the most luxurious 5 star hotel in Dublin have been restored to their original glory, and are redolent of that glittering age.

Delicate rococo plasterwork by master stuccodore Robert West, vaulted ceilings and original marble fireplaces are just some of the features that await guests behind the doors of the elegant rooms and suites in the Main House.

Junior Suite
Located mainly on the first floor of the Georgian Main House, many of the Junior Suites overlook Government buildings or The Merrion’s classical gardens. The rooms have been designed using Irish fabrics and period-style furniture sympathetic to the architecture and interiors of the original 18th-century townhouses.

Deluxe King Room
Located on the upper floors of the Georgian Main House, many of the Deluxe King Rooms overlook either Government Buildings or The Merrion’s 18th-century classical gardens.

The rooms have been decorated with fabrics and furniture in keeping with the architecture and interiors of the original 18th-century townhouses, making this one of the most unique hotels in Dublin.

Restaurants & Bars
The Merrion offers a choice of eating options, from the casual gastro-pub menu served in The Cellar Bar, to the modern Irish cuisine of The Garden Room and the fine-dining experience at Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud*, the first restaurant in Ireland to hold 2 Michelin stars.

In addition to The Cellar Bar, set in the original 18th Century wine vaults of the Main House and a popular after-work meeting place, The Merrion is also home to an intimate cocktail bar, No. 23, its clubby ambience conducive to relaxed conversation.

During the spring and summer months, guests can enjoy the tranquility of the Garden Terrace, while the Drawing Rooms, with their open log fires, are perfect for Afternoon Tea at any time of year.

The Garden Room
The Garden Room is a restaurant with character, comfortable, with a menu designed for sharing tastes and flavours and whimsical combinations, created by executive chef Ed Cooney and his team. A less formal affair by a formal garden, a relaxed experience in The Merrion Hotel.

The Cellar Bar
Located in the original 18th-century wine vaults of the Main House, a warm welcome awaits in the oak-lined Cellar Bar.

A popular lunchtime and after-work meeting place for Dubliners, The Cellar Bar offers a relaxed ambience with a full bar service, carefully selected wines are available by the glass. Great service and a convivial atmosphere make The Cellar Bar an ideal choice for conversations with friends or just a quiet pint.

Drawing Rooms – Afternoon Tea
We think our art collection is good enough to eat…‘Art Tea’ at The Merrion 5 star hotel is the most lavish afternoon tea in Dublin. Treat yourself to a slice of 19th- or 20th-century art served on fine china with miniature sweet creations inspired by the work of J.B Yeats, William Scott, Louis Le Brocquy and others.

The gracious surroundings of The Merrion’s Drawing Rooms are the perfect place to relax for an afternoon with a selection of delectable treats, accompanied by teas and coffees selected by our in-house tea masters and barista, while browsing through a complimentary copy of The Merrion art collection catalogue.

The Vegan Afternoon Tea is our newest offering served in the Drawing Rooms. Savour a range of delicious vegan delights from finger sandwiches, scones to scrumptious cakes and pastries.

Art Afternoon Tea at the Merrion is a two hour experience, consisting of two courses. Our unique Art Tea is priced at €55 per person, or €67.50 per person with a glass of champagne. Afternoon Tea is served at 13:00, 13:30, 16:00 and 16:30 daily.

No. 23
The secluded, intimate No. 23 cocktail bar in Dublin has the feel of a private club, offering the ideal surroundings for guests to enjoy one of our signature cocktails, a flute of Champagne, or a glass of wine from L’Abeille de Fieuzal, our chairman’s own vineyard in Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux.

Hung with exceptional works of art from The Merrion’s private collection, No. 23 offers delicious canapés, our special whiskey tasting selection, and the very best of warm Irish hospitality.

The Garden Terrace
When the weather permits, The Garden Terrace at The Merrion is open for seasonal al fresco lunches and drinks. Colourful blooms and fragrant planting surround the canopied tables.

Executive Chef Ed Cooney has devised a sensational summer salad menu, full of healthy, nutritious options that are high on taste yet low on calories. There are also plenty of delicious desserts for those inclined to indulge. The Garden Terrace is the perfect place to escape from the bustle of Dublin and relax with friends.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, a Two Star Michelin restaurant, is situated in the luxurious surroundings of The Merrion 5 star hotel, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud’s pursuit of perfection is evidenced in cuisine that is as sophisticated as it is immaculately presented.

Delicious and innovative dishes are prepared from the finest ingredients, while service is impeccable, combining efficient French decorum with discreet Irish charm.

Vegan Dining
The Merrion Hotel is delighted to share our innovative vegan menu created by Holly White who, in collaboration with executive chef Ed Cooney and his team, has brought recipes from her cookbook Vegan-ish to life in The Garden Room.

Whether you are vegan, a flexitarian or simply curious about integrating vegan meals into your diet, the new carefully-crafted menu at The Garden Room is includes colourful and flavourful dishes from White’s hugely popular guide to plant-based eating.

Designed seasonally, it will sit alongside The Garden Room’s all-day dining menu which features the finest artisanal Irish produce and includes plant-based starter. main course and dessert option.

Kitchen Philosophy
Great dishes start with great ingredients, and only the finest Irish ingredients get past Executive Chef Ed Cooney. Our suppliers are as homegrown as the goods they deliver to us fresh each day.

Working closely with his network of Irish artisan producers, Ed Cooney is able to secure the very best grass-fed beef and lamb, the highest quality fish and seafood, and the freshest of fruit and vegetables for his kitchen.

A flexible approach means that if a trusted supplier comes up with superb fish or game that is not always on the menu, the chefs will welcome it into the kitchen and know how to make it shine. Guests at The Merrion can look forward to great food that is distinctively Irish, yet definitively world-class.

“Partnerships are crucial and producers need to have the same obsession for detail that we do,” says Ed Cooney. “I’ve walked the fields with the farmers, I’ve been to the smokehouses and I’ve made the black pudding myself with Tommy Doherty so that I know how it’s done.

I’ve visited the cheese-makers and the yogurt producers. It’s only by sitting in a farmhouse kitchen drinking tea that you understand how character, a sense of place, and a passion for quality can create something unique. That’s when you know you’re onto a winner.”

Provenance – The Origin of our Food
Food should taste of where it comes from – the soil on which it is grown, the pasture on which it is reared, the water in which it swims. Food that reflects its origin – the wild Atlantic Ocean, the rugged Kerry hills, the lush Golden Vale – simply tastes better.

Provenance matters because it shapes the raw materials, the final ingredients, and gives them a flavour that’s unique and distinctive, that sings of their terroir. Seasonal freshness matters too and we’re passionate about sourcing locally.

Picked, plucked, caught or harvested, the shorter the journey from farm to fork, the better. It’s why we go the distance to make sure that our food doesn’t. We are very proud to have created a genuine Irish food experience at The Merrion Hotel

Spa & Wellness
Welcome to The Spa and Health Club at The Merrion Hotel, an oasis of calm and comfort where wellness takes centre stage, just steps from historic, Georgian Dublin. Open 7 days a week, we offer the most innovative of gold-standard treatments, along with wholly restorative therapies.

Our team of professionals focus on absolute wellness, as well as offering that little bit of extra space we all need to re-boot. The Merrion Spa and Health Club is delighted to collaborate with some of the world’s leading brands with an extensive list of hair and beauty services.

ESPA
Founded by Susan Harmsworth, ESPA’s luxurious therapies and products are renowned globally for their all-natural approach to delivering instant results whilst also working beneath the skin’s surface for longer-term benefits.

Combining biochemistry with aromatherapy, ESPA offers unique treatments for face and body that also enriches the senses for a complete, holistic experience.

Biologique Recherche
Created by a biologist, a physiotherapist and a doctor over forty years ago, Biologique Recherche takes a clinical approach to skincare with absolute effectiveness at its core.

Using innovative, meticulous protocols and procedures, in addition to profoundly different products, the multi-award winning brand focuses on high-end personalised beauty care using concentrated, raw ingredients.

Personal Training
Whether ensuring guests and members at The Merrion Spa and Health Club get the most from a workout, or devising and overseeing a bespoke fitness and nutrition programme, the Personal Training team are on hand to ensure each session is enjoyable and absolutely results-driven.

Gardens

As a city centre hotel, The Merrion is uniquely privileged to have two period gardens, designed by Jim Reynolds, the noted Irish landscape artist. The smaller of the two gardens, known as “Lady Mornington’s Garden”, links the Main House to the Garden Wing.

This contemporary wing completes the enclosure of the garden, and many of the guestrooms overlook the larger, central garden.

Both gardens re-create the feel of the 18th century, with box hedges, water features, pathways, statuary and obelisks. In summer, the large garden becomes an extension of the drawing rooms in the Main House, with waiter service so that guests can dine al fresco.

Weddings
Your special occasion deserves the very best of surroundings, and the period Georgian elegance of The Merrion provides a beautiful backdrop for an unforgettable and unique Dublin wedding. At The Merrion, we take pride in ensuring that each wedding is as individual as the couple themselves.

We offer a bespoke experience to all our clients, allowing couples to tailor-make every element of their big day. The grand salons of The Merrion have a separate entrance with marbled hallway, and feature original Georgian plasterwork.

The magnificent rooms are decorated with luxurious fabrics, hand-woven carpets and antique furniture. We can accommodate up to 80 guests in our larger rooms.

Pieces from the hotel’s impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century art hang on the walls, while the tables are covered in Irish linen and set with the finest china, cutlery and flowers. There is no more perfect backdrop to a memorable celebration.

We are happy to host traditional, contemporary, humanist and multicultural weddings in our magnificent Georgian Salon. Our venue is fully licensed. Our expert Wedding Co-ordinator is on hand to ensure that every detail is taken care of, and all expectations surpassed. Please see here to view our Wedding Brochure.

We pride ourselves on designing bespoke arrangements for weddings of under 50 guests. If, however you are planning on having more than 50 guests attend your wedding, please see our tailored offering below.

Meetings & Events
The Merrion is Dublin city centre’s foremost five star business hotel, with excellent facilities for high-level business meetings and private corporate entertaining. House No. 24 in the Main House has six gracious salons with period features, each named after an historical figure connected to the original buildings.

These rooms vary in size and decoration, and can be used either separately or in combination, according to requirements. The Pembroke can accommodate 16 for a board meeting or 20 for a private meal, while The Wellington can host up to 100 people for a standing reception, and 50 for a seated meeting.

All salons are decorated with fresh flowers, and each guest is provided with stationery, pens, still and sparkling water, and mints.

Cloakroom and registration facilities are complimentary. The Merrion is equipped with state of the art conference facilities, including free Wi-Fi throughout. Audio-visual aids, data projectors, screens and microphones are all available on request.

Art at The Merrion
The Merrion is home to an important private collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, to which the hotel’s grand interiors offer the perfect backdrop. The result is a dramatic and successful marriage of classical architecture and noteworthy Irish and European art.

Located just minutes’ walk away from the National Gallery, the Royal Hibernian Academy and the Douglas Hyde Gallery in Trinity College, and within easy reach of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, The Merrion is the perfect choice for a Dublin city art break.

And after a day spent visiting galleries, what better way for art-lovers to relax than over The Merrion’s very special Art Afternoon Tea created by our talented pastry chef, Paul Kelly. The pastries are inspired by some of the paintings that hang in the hotel’s collection – art that’s good enough to eat.

All About Dublin

Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, situated on the east coast of the country where the River Liffey flows into the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay. The city has a rich medieval history dating back to the time of the Vikings, and is known for its elegant Georgian architecture.

The Merrion is located in the heart of Georgian Dublin, surrounded by some of the finest buildings, squares and streets of that golden age. Its manageable size makes Dublin an ideal city to explore on foot – or on two wheels on one of The Merrion’s own bicycles!

Cultural attractions are plentiful, with castles, museums and galleries to visit. Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, and The Guinness Storehouse are two popular destinations on most guests’ itineraries.

Grafton Street on the south side of the city (just a few minute’s walk from The Merrion), and Henry Street on the north side are Dublin’s two principal shopping thoroughfares and home to a wide variety of Irish and international fashion stores.

The side streets off these main streets are home to a host of independent boutiques and specialist retailers, many selling Irish arts and crafts. In the past few years, Dublin has gained a reputation for excellent food.

The area around Grafton Street is particularly well served with restaurants and our concierge team will be happy to make recommendations.

The Merrion itself has two restaurants – Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, which holds two Michelin stars, and The Garden Room, presided over by Executive Head Chef, Ed Cooney, serving modern Irish food using the best local and seasonal Irish ingredients. The Cellar Bar has a casual, pub-style menu featuring The Merrion’s famous fish and chips.

Website: www.merrionhotel.com

Rooms: 142

Price: from 269 EUR per night