Dylan

Rooms

The clutch of designer rooms and suites sit on each floor of the historic building, along snaking corridors and all the way up to the eaves. We particularly like those on the top floor, which have the cosiness of a loft but still ample space, and beautiful picture windows look out across the leafy neighbourhood.

Luxury Queen rooms are the smallest but still a great choice for a short city break. Deluxe rooms come in king, queen and twin setups, while the Experience Suites have separate living areas. The top-of-the-range Signature Suite has a decadent kingsize bed, airy lounge and a porthole window framed by a vaulted ceiling. The bathroom boasts a deep soak bath and an enormous shower.

Whichever category you opt for, you can expect playful yet sophisticated decor that pairs rich jewel tones with abstract textiles, vintage-inspired velvet furnishings with modern Irish art. In stark contrast to the bright bedrooms, bathrooms are moody but no less indulgent: dark Italian marble, rainfall showers, underfloor heating, fat monogrammed towels and robes, and pampering products in abundance.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Bluetooth sound system
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

The hotel's restaurant, The Eddison - one of the few rooms with a minimum of colour - is also one of the loveliest. Tall French windows face the front terrace, letting daylight stream through the elegant dining space that takes you from a light-filled breakfast to a romantic evening meal.

The restaurant has changed hands since our last visit but still gets rave reviews. Much like the theme of the hotel, the menu is a taste of contemporary luxury (with prices to match). Starters include the likes of King Scallop ceviche and tuna tartare with Oscietra caviar, while the mains honour the gifts from 'Land & Sea': roast Irish beef with potato hash, spiced monkfish fillet, venison and sausage ragu, you get the idea. Veggies and vegans might have a hard time here. Presentation is immaculate and artistic, and there's a pleasing list of wines and champagnes to choose from.

From day to night, Dylan Bar is a great place to hang. The elegant lounge suits any occasion, from a coffee and a catch up to celebrating with a glass of fizz, and there's an all-day menu of relaxed European classics. As night falls, have a drink in The Ruby Room, the indulgent cocktail bar that serves innovative house creations, Italian appetisers and Super Tuscans in the most intimate of settings. Come the summer, barbecues and sundowners make the The Nurserie Terrace the place to be.

Gluttons like us will relish the breakfast, served at an extra charge. There's a vast array of continental treats - pastries and scones, cured meats, fruit salad and cereals - plus a selection of hot options, such as eggs as you like them, American pancakes or a traditional Irish breakfast.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

Dylan is set in 'Dublin 4', a leafy, upmarket enclave about 15 minutes' walk south of the heart of the city. Once a haunt of writers such as Kavanagh, Wilde and Beckett, today it's an attractive residential and commercial mix. There's no shortage of things to do, many of them (including current concerts and events) listed in your bedside directory.

• Shop until you drop in the side streets around Grafton Street
  
  
• See the beautifully illuminated 9th-century Book of Kells, which lies in state in Ireland's premier university, Trinity College, at the bottom of Dame Street
  
  
• Romantic souls like to meander through leafy St Stephen's Green, or wander along the banks of the Liffey
  
  
• Party animals make a beeline for Temple Bar beside the river; many bars and pubs around the city will have live traditional Irish music
  
  
• Culture vultures head for the National Gallery of Ireland which has a swish new extension; or enjoy a night out at the theatre - Dublin boasts several fine venues such as the Abbey, founded by Nobel-prize winner W B Yeats, and the Gate
  
  
• History buffs will enjoy Dublin Castle and the medieval cathedrals, not to mention Georgian Dublin on your doorstep
  
  
• Popular culture enthusiasts will prefer the Guinness Experience at the brewery; don't forget to claim your free pint at the end in the Sky Bar which has views over the city
  
  
• Go racing at Leopardstown, 6 miles south; check out Gaelic football and hurling at Croke Park (Europe's 4th largest stadium); Aviva Stadium hosts regular national and international rugby and soccer games

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Spa treatments

Kids

Children are welcome, and Dublin has lots to offer families, although this upscale boutique is probably not their natural environment, catering more for couples and business travellers. The concierge is happy to make recommendations and bookings for outdoor activities and shows for kids.

Family friendly accommodation:

All room categories apart from Luxury Queen can take an extra bed or baby cot.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 20 minutes via the port
• Hospital: 9 minutes
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Dylan lies off Upper Baggot Street in Dublin 4, one of the city's more upmarket and affluent districts, south of the centre.

By Air
Fly to Dublin (18km). From here, take a taxi (approximately 45 minutes) or the blue airport bus, which will drop you on St Stephen's Green (60-90 minutes depending on traffic).

By Car
Dublin's traffic is terrible and parking is a nightmare, but taxis are usually plentiful. We'd only hire a car for onward travel or day expeditions.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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