Location: What’s not to love about a glam Georgian townhouse on St Stephen’s Green with views over the wide street, Georgian square and curly silver lampposts from bygone days. The real heart of the city, and walking distance from theatres, galleries, museums and Grafton St, this is the kind of stylish city pied-a-terre we all dream of. With Floritz restaurant on the 1st floor and Cellar 22 in the basement, there’s excellent imbibing options all under the one roof.
10/10 Style & design: Georgian details and contemporary comforts have been thoughtfully combined here to create accommodation that’s sophisticated yet homely, elegant yet edgy. Decadent botanical print wallpaper lends William Morris vibes to the grand staircase that sweeps guests up to the two floors above. Flamboyant chandeliers, rooms named after statues in neighbouring St Stephen’s Green, eclectic restaurant interiors, glamorous bedrooms and luxe bathrooms create a chic hideaway.
10/10 Service: For the most part, Townhouse’s staff are excellent, witnessed with a charming check-in at both Floritz and Cellar 22. Breakfast staff, by contrast, seem unfocused, lacking the confidence and polish we find elsewhere. We missed the warm welcome at breakfast that we’d received when we arrived down to dinner from our room the previous night.
Our morning check-out was a missed opportunity to leave a lasting impression too. 8/10 Guest rooms: Luxurious and peaceful, Townhouse’s guestrooms are delightfully cosy. Spread over the third and fourth floors, they vary significantly in size and aspect (with the website clearly showcasing each.
) A muted neutral palette of art deco elements works well with the architecture, from organic patterns on the headboards and carpets to the beautiful geometric chairs and cushions. Large modern canvasses and quirky ornaments add fun, chic lamps mirror architectural curves, and brass details lend understated sheen. Some rooms feature original fireplaces and third-floor rooms enjoy higher ceilings.
The bathrooms are knock-outs, beautifully designed with sleek white marble, deep basins and generous showers — the Ardilaun Junior Suite, at 30m2, is the most luxurious with its own freestanding bath. 9/10 In-room perks: Quality Irish coffee table books are a welcome touch. Mini bars are stocked with the usual suspects, alongside Keogh’s crisps and there’s a welcoming dish of delicious petit fours and fresh cookies.
Top marks for the cute ceramic teapots that nest into teacups — they’re perfect for tea drinkers who enjoy a little ritual (though fresh milk in the fridge would sweeten this even more). Bonus points too for the large, refillable Roads toiletries, the luxury fragrance brand from Irish entrepreneur Danielle Ryan. 9/10 On the menu: Floritz is the fabulous restaurant on the ground floor of Townhouse, accessed by the same grand hallway.
A maximalist confection of botanical prints, velvet banquettes, mirrors and marble, it’s a fun space. First impressions are matched by brilliant service. Downstairs in Cellar 22, there’s an intimate wine bar with a menu that includes top-class charcuterie and cheese boards.
Breakfast, served overlooking the Green, is a menu-only affair with appealing choices like a pastry board, mixed mushrooms on sourdough, brioche French toast and McLoughlins bacon and eggs. Perfectly poached eggs with smoked salmon on focaccia are let down by coolish Hollandaise, tepid tea has to be sent back and a side of bacon arrives when our avocado toast is almost eaten. The timing issues jar as we are the only diners eating breakfast at the time.
8.5/10 Activities & amenities: This is central accommodation par excellence without any added amenities. Beyond superb dining options, and a discreet check-in desk, it’s a boutique bolthole without the impersonal hotel vibes (but with everything you need close by).
Discounted parking is available at sister-property, The Fitzwilliam Hotel. The bill: B&B from €259 per night. Our rating: 8.
5/10 Room to improve? Breakfast is the weak link and needs work. While staff are all delightful breakfast service needs to be improved to match the slick standards of Floritz and Cellar 22. Access for guests with disabilities? None, on account of the building being listed.
Family-friendly? This is one for the grown-ups. Dogs welcome? Only service dogs EV chargers? Yes, at The Fitzwilliam Hotel car park..
