💡 The Short Version: For a first visit, stay in the old city around Temple Bar or on the south side by St Stephen’s Green: the hotels below are 0.15 to 1.5 km from Temple Bar Square in a straight line, with Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Grafton Street on foot. Ballsbridge and Ranelagh are residential, Smithfield is on the Luas Red Line, O’Connell Street has the buses and Docklands has the 3Arena. Dublin has no hotel tax, and rooms averaged €174 a night in 2025. Prices change with the dates, so check yours on Hotels.com. Or book a walk: the Dublin: Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tourad is from €24 for 2 hours.
The areas, compared
Distances are straight lines from each hotel to Temple Bar Square, and a walk is longer. The last column counts the seven signed where-to-stay guides, from The Irish Road Trip, Travel Lemming, Time Out, Bon Traveler, Next Stop Ireland, The Ireland Edit and The Broke Backpacker, that name the area in a heading.
| Area | What it suits | Guides naming it |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Bar and the old city | Trinity College, Dublin Castle, the cathedrals, and pubs with live music | 7 |
| South city centre | Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square | 6 |
| Ballsbridge | The Aviva Stadium and the RDS | 3 |
| Ranelagh, Rathmines and Portobello | Cafés, pubs and the Luas Green Line | 5 for Portobello; 3 for Ranelagh and Rathmines |
| Smithfield | The Jameson Distillery, the Luas Red Line and TwinkleTown | 4 |
| O’Connell Street and the north inner city | The GPO, the Spire, the buses and Croke Park | 2 |
| Docklands | The 3Arena, the Convention Centre and the DART | 3 |
| Near the airport | An early flight | – |
The hotels
The links go to the hotel on Hotels.com. Michelin’s Keys are the guide’s own ratings for hotels, and “Selected” means a hotel is in the guide without a Key. For the hotels nearest the pubs, with their distances, see hotels near Temple Bar.
Temple Bar and the old city
The old city runs from Temple Bar’s cobbled lanes west to Christ Church Cathedral. Next Stop Ireland calls Temple Bar “very lively, very touristy, and very expensive”, and The Irish Road Trip says many Dubliners turn their noses up at it as a base but that it is close to everything. For what a pint costs and when the music starts, see Temple Bar, and for the sessions, traditional music pubs in Dublin.
The College Green Hotel, Autograph Collection
35-39 Westmoreland Street · 163 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 310 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
Three 19th-century buildings opposite Trinity College, joined into one hotel. One was a bank, and its vaults are now the Mint Bar, which has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, according to the hotel.
The Morgan Hotel
10 Fleet Street · 168 rooms · about 150 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A four-star hotel on Fleet Street, in the middle of Temple Bar, with the 10 Fleet Street restaurant and bar. The rooms have air conditioning and Nespresso machines, and the hotel has parking.
The Hoxton, Dublin
1-5 Exchequer Street · 129 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 280 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On a site where archaeologists found Viking feast pits and medieval coins before construction could begin, according to Michelin. The first-floor Library Bar, which ran for decades before the previous hotel closed, is back.
Harding Hotel
Copper Alley, Fishamble Street · about 480 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On a quieter side street, two to three minutes’ walk from Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and Temple Bar, according to the hotel. The hotel’s pub, Darkey Kelly’s, has live music every day.
South city centre
The Georgian streets round St Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street and Merrion Square. Bon Traveler and The Ireland Edit both put it first for a first visit, and The Irish Road Trip calls Merrion Square the quiet but central Georgian base.
A Georgian terrace on the edge of Merrion Square. Photo: Sonse, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
The Merrion
Upper Merrion Street · 142 bedrooms and suites · two Michelin Keys · about 1.0 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A restoration of four Georgian townhouses opposite Government Buildings, with an 18 m pool, a spa and a gym. Patrick Guilbaud, the hotel’s restaurant, holds two Michelin stars.
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin
St Stephen’s Green · 139 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 690 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On the Green, with courtyard rooms and rooms that look over the Green. Glovers Alley, the hotel’s restaurant, holds one Michelin star.
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
27 St Stephen’s Green · 265 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 900 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On the north-east corner of the Green for two centuries, according to Michelin, with marble, crystal and brass in its lounges and saloons.
The Shelbourne on St Stephen’s Green. Photo: Ardfern, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Leinster
7 Mount Street Lower · 55 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 1.4 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On the edge of Merrion Square. Jean-Georges has a restaurant on the roof, and the Collins Club is the hotel’s cocktail bar.
Number 31
31 Leeson Close · 22 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.5 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A Georgian townhouse and a mews house designed by the architect Sam Stephenson, with a garden between them. There is no restaurant or bar, and breakfast is an elaborate spread, according to Michelin.
Ballsbridge
About 2 km south-east of the centre, with the Aviva Stadium and the RDS. The Irish Road Trip names it its personal pick, and says a bus into the centre takes 10 to 15 minutes.
The Dylan Hotel
Eastmoreland Place · 72 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 1.9 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A five-star boutique hotel in a historic building. Michelin names the Eddison restaurant, the Ruby Room cocktail bar and the Nurserie, a terrace with tree ferns.
Herbert Park Hotel
Ballsbridge Terrace · about 2.8 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A four-star hotel facing the 48-acre Herbert Park, with self-catering studios in the Park Residence. It is about 300 m from the RDS, where Everwinter runs over Christmas: see Dublin Christmas markets 2026.
The Schoolhouse Hotel
2-8 Northumberland Road · 31 rooms · about 1.8 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
In an 1859 building by the Grand Canal, with 31 individually designed rooms, a gastrobar and a green outdoor space.
Ranelagh, Rathmines and Portobello
South of the Grand Canal, with the Luas Green Line. The Irish Road Trip puts Ranelagh a 15 to 20 minute bus ride from the centre, and Next Stop Ireland about 2 km from St Stephen’s Green.
The Devlin Hotel
117-119 Ranelagh Road · 40 rooms · about 2.1 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
Five minutes from the Ranelagh Luas stop, with doubles, bunks and family rooms, Layla’s rooftop restaurant, a cocktail bar and a cinema.
Clayton Hotel Charlemont
Charlemont Street · about 1.7 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
Beside the Charlemont Luas stop, overlooking the Grand Canal, a short walk from Grafton Street, according to the hotel.
Smithfield
North of the Liffey and west of O’Connell Street, on the Luas Red Line beside the Jameson Distillery Bow St. The Cobblestone, the session pub, is in Smithfield: see traditional music pubs in Dublin. TwinkleTown runs on the square from 20 November to 31 December.
The observation tower on the old distillery chimney at Smithfield. Photo: Metro Centric, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Maldron Hotel Smithfield
Smithfield Terrace, Dublin 7 · about 1.1 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A four-star hotel with the Luas moments away and the Grain & Grill bar and restaurant. Croke Park is within walking distance, according to the hotel.
The Hendrick Smithfield
6-11 Hendrick Street · about 1.2 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A design-led hotel with compact boutique rooms and the Hendrick Bar, a stroll from the Jameson Distillery.
O’Connell Street and the north inner city
North of the Liffey: the GPO, the Spire and the Rotunda. Next Stop Ireland says every bus route passes through O’Connell Street and that it “can still feel busy and commercial”. The Irish Road Trip suggests Drumcondra for Croke Park and the airport.
Hotel RIU Plaza The Gresham Dublin
O’Connell Street · about 710 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
The Gresham, now run by RIU, on O’Connell Street. The Aircoach 700 from the airport stops at the hotel: see Dublin airport to the city.
Motel One Dublin
111-114 Middle Abbey Street · about 290 m from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A design hotel on Middle Abbey Street, north of the Liffey. Dublin Castle, Trinity College and Temple Bar are a few minutes away, according to Motel One.
The Croke Park Hotel
Jones’ Road, Dublin 3 · about 1.8 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
Just steps from Croke Park, with an underground car park. The tours are in the Croke Park stadium tour.
Docklands
East of the centre along the Liffey, with the DART and the Luas. Next Stop Ireland says its modern hotels are often cheaper than the centre’s, and Time Out recommends it for seeing Dublin by water.
Grand Canal Square in the Docklands at night. Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
Grand Canal Square · 187 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.6 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
A geometric building on Grand Canal Square, which Michelin says resembles a rock formation eroding over time, with the city’s largest hotel lobby and a rooftop bar with views of the Irish Sea. The spa has an enclosed infinity pool.
The Spencer Hotel
Excise Walk, IFSC · 209 rooms · about 1.3 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
On the Liffey beside the Convention Centre, with an 18 m swimming pool. Some rooms have balconies over the river, and the 3Arena is under ten minutes’ walk, according to the hotel.
The Gibson Hotel
East Wall Road · about 2.4 km from Temple Bar Square · Hotels.comad
Beside the 3Arena, which the hotel puts a 20-second walk from its door.
Near the airport
Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport
Corballis Avenue · 267 m from both terminals · Hotels.comad
A five-minute stroll from both terminals, with airline check-in, a complimentary shuttle every 25 to 30 minutes, day and night, and Park, Stay and Fly packages.
Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport
Just off the M1 and M50 · Hotels.comad
A complimentary airport shuttle every 30 minutes, an Italian restaurant and the Playwright bar.
Before you book
- The price. Dublin hotels averaged €174 a night in 2025, up 23% in six years according to Fáilte Ireland, with 84% occupancy over the year and more than 95% on 62 nights, against 37 in 2024, according to STR figures reported by Travel Extra. Dublin Airport’s hotels ran close to 90% full.
- No hotel tax. Ireland charges no accommodation tax or tourist tax on rooms.
- Getting around. The Leap card’s 90-minute fare is €2.00 and its daily cap €6, and Dublin Bus drivers take coins only, with no change. An Aircoach from the airport is under €10 each way online. See Dublin public transport and Dublin airport to the city.
- Dates to book around. The Christmas markets from 20 November (Dublin Christmas markets 2026); New Year’s Festival Dublin, 30 December to 1 January (Dublin on New Year’s Eve 2026); TradFest, 20 to 24 January 2027; St Patrick’s Festival, 13 to 17 March (St Patrick’s Festival 2027); Dublin Pride, 23 to 27 June; the Dublin Horse Show, 4 to 8 August; and Harry Styles at Croke Park on 18, 20 and 21 August 2027. The weather and the other dates are in the best time to visit Dublin.
For the days themselves, see 3 days in Dublin. Where to eat in Dublin covers the meals, and what to book before you go to Dublin lists the tickets that sell out.
Common questions
What is the best area to stay in Dublin for a first visit?
The old city around Temple Bar, or the south side round St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street. The hotels listed in those two areas are 0.15 to 1.5 km from Temple Bar Square in a straight line, with Trinity College, Dublin Castle and Grafton Street on foot.
Is Temple Bar a good place to stay in Dublin?
It is the most central base, and it is loud and dear: Next Stop Ireland calls it very lively, very touristy and very expensive, and The Ireland Edit's heading for it is Visit, Don't Stay. Pubs there play live music from the afternoon. The quieter hotels on Fleet Street, Westmoreland Street and Fishamble Street are listed in hotels near Temple Bar.
Is there a tourist tax in Dublin?
No. Ireland charges no accommodation tax or tourist tax on hotel rooms.
How much do hotels cost in Dublin?
Dublin hotels averaged €174 a night in 2025, up 23% in six years according to Fáilte Ireland, with 84% occupancy over the year and more than 95% on 62 nights, according to STR figures reported by Travel Extra. Prices change with the dates, so check yours on Hotels.com.
Which Dublin hotels hold Michelin Keys?
Michelin lists no Three-Key hotel in Dublin. The Merrion has two Keys. The Dylan, The Fitzwilliam, The Leinster and The Wilder Townhouse have one Key each, and 15 more hotels are Selected.
Where should I stay for an early flight?
At Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport, 267 m from both terminals, or Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport, just off the M1 and M50. Both run a complimentary shuttle to the terminals, every 25 to 30 minutes at Maldron and every 30 minutes at Clayton.
Which dates fill Dublin hotels?
The Christmas markets from 20 November, New Year's Festival from 30 December to 1 January, TradFest from 20 to 24 January 2027, St Patrick's Festival from 13 to 17 March, Dublin Pride from 23 to 27 June, the Dublin Horse Show from 4 to 8 August and Harry Styles at Croke Park on 18, 20 and 21 August 2027.
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