boasts 142 bedrooms and suites and is the result of an impeccable restoration of four Grade I listed Georgian townhouses and a specially commissioned contemporary Garden Wing set around two private period gardens . It is elegant , luxurious and offers guests a range of incredible spaces to enjoy , and all that is before I mention the art …
Home to an important private collection of 19th- and 20th-century art , the hotel provides the perfect gallery space for one of the largest private collections in the world . Each wall , sideboard and shelf has been expertly curated to showcase an eclectic and expressive mix of Irish and European art , leading to an eye-catching and encompassing journey of a stay , which also extends to food through The Merrion ’ s acclaimed art-focused afternoon tea .
Proving that The Merrion ’ s art collection is ‘ good enough to eat ’, Art Tea is recognised as the ‘ most lavish afternoon tea in Dublin ’. Set in the surroundings of the hotel ’ s Drawing Room , each day sees three pieces of artwork chosen by the ingeniously creative kitchen team to be channelled into spectacular edible works of art . Alongside teas selected by the hotel ’ s master of tea , delicate finger sandwiches and fresh warm scones served with homemade jam and lemon curd , you ’ ll find treasures such as macaron depicting the work of J . B . Yeats and miniature patisserie inspired by William Scott or Louis Le Brocquy . It is , quite simply , breathtaking .
And afternoon tea is not the only way to relax and enjoy a stay at The Merrion .
Housed in a purpose built oasis of calm , The Spa offers all guests access to a secluded 18m pool ,
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sauna , steam room and gym . Offering innovative treatments with a focus on restorative therapies using ESPA products , I was treated to the most relaxing and invigorating full body massage before taking full advantage of the relaxation room - the perfect deep breath out before embarking on a day ’ s sightseeing !
Not only boasting an address in prime Georgian architecture wonderland , The Merrion is also just a short walk to Dublin ’ s famed ‘ golden mile ’ of lively pubs , shops and restaurants that transport you from St . Stephen ’ s Green to Grafton Street and the river beyond . From pavement cafes , curiously all seeming to offer tapas or coffee , to lively pubs with Guinness on tap and live music bringing the craic , and relaxed ambles through busy shopping districts or hitting the tourist trail through Trinity College , The Guiness Factory and a fascinating myriad of museums and galleries , there is so much to explore , and all within easy walking distance .
Famished from a full day of ‘ touristing ’ we returned for dinner . Offering a choice of eating options from that aforementioned Michelin eatery to the casual gastro-pub menu served in The Cellar Bar , it was to the less formal , but no-lessin-demand , The Garden Room restaurant that we headed .
Located , as one may deduce , next to The Merrion ’ s pristine private gardens , The Garden Room is full of character , relaxed and boasts a modern Irish menu designed for ‘ sharing tastes and flavours and whimsical combinations ’ created by executive chef Ed Cooney and his team .
Here , we were treated to a host of elevated Irish classic dishes . To start , the roast beetroot salad ; a
delicate dish served with whipped goat ’ s cheese and walnut crumble , and The Garden Room cobb salad ; a heaving dish of roast chicken breast , smoked Gubbeen cheese , crispy bacon , egg and avocado . Mains delivered a braised short-rib from the daily specials menu , a delicious , melt-in-themouth delight served with courgettes , padron peppers and mushroom sauce , alongside a soft herb-crusted Irish rack of lamb served delicately pink and tender atop peas and broad beans with a lick-the-plate-clean lamb jus .
We completed our evening with an incredible raspberry souffle with raspberry curd ice cream and custard , and a rich salted caramel chocolate tart with milk chocolate , banana , Chantilly cream and popcorn ice cream . All just delicious and the result of effortless assistance in our menu decision-making by wonderful restaurant manager Adil , friendly waitress Anna , and guest-relations manager extraordinaire Emilia .
From its prime location , glorious architecture , incredible artwork , wonderful food , wine and cocktails , enriching spa and abodes , to its real claim to hospitality excellence its incredible staff , The Merrion is a demonstration in excellence rightly deserving of its acclaim and accolades . I cannot recommend a stay here enough !
The Merrion Hotel Upper Merrion Street Dublin Ireland
+ 353 1 603 0600 info @ merrionhotel . com www . merrionhotel . com
merrionhotel
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