Rooms

Walk in to your room and, as if by magic, your favourite tunes emanate from the Bose iPod dock. It's that kind of place. You request your favourite tracks before arrival, and they greet you - in the highest of fidelities.

Luxury Queen rooms have a little more character than Deluxe ones, while the Experience rooms and Studio Suites have separate living areas. The top-of-the-range Signature Suite has a decadent super-kingsize bed and Baroque-style furniture enlivened by contemporary fabrics. The bathroom boasts a double-ended bath and an enormous shower, as well its own LCD TV.

But, in deliberate contrast to the high decadence of the ground floor, the palette is warm and autumnal; ours was all lime, silver, purple and warm red. You get the best beds we'd stayed in for a very long time: memory-foam, pocket-sprung and Frette linens. Bedspreads, though vividly patterned, are often monchrome, as are the signed prints of Dublin by Phillip Pankov. Expect custom-made chairs and sofas by award-winning designer Christopher Guy, ample wardrobe space incorporating the minibar, and signature mirrors (some of them on the ceiling).

Bathrooms are no less indulgent: Italian marble, power showers, underfloor heating, fat monogrammed towels and robes, and 'Replica by Maison Margiela' products in abundance.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The Tavern Restaurant - 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 floor-length muslin curtains or, at night, spotlights illuminate the room from outside.

Chef Mark Brodie has a modern take on traditional Irish fare, using seasonal ingredients which we hugely enjoyed at dinner in a packed room (do book ahead). Starters included Brandy Bay oysters with cucumber dressing and Irish pork roulade with black pudding. A salt-baked sea bass for two, paired with lemon creamed potatoes and greens makes a sociable main, and desserts range from melting chocolate spheres to a theatrical fairground-style collection including toffee apple donuts and candy floss! Presentation for each course was immaculate and artistic, and there are no fewer than 230 fine wines and champagnes to choose from.

As if that's not enough, Dylan Bar serves a range of excellent (but expensive) cocktails at its spiral pewter counter. The house concoction - vanilla vodka, Galliano, crème de cacao and crème de banane topped with pineapple and grapefruit juice and fresh cream - is as flamboyant and exotic as you'd expect.

Gluttons like us will relish the buffet breakfast, served at an extra charge. There's a vast array of continental treats - croissants,cured meats, juices and smoothies - plus the option to upgrade to a grilled kippers, eggs benedict, pancakes or a traditional Irish breakfast.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

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

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 Dylan Luxury 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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