3 New Hotels To Check Out This Month

The Dean Townhouse, Dublin

When The Dean first opened in 2014 as a 51-bedroom boutique hotel, with Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant, and a dedicated events space on Dublin’s Harcourt Street, it was one of Dublin’s coolest places to stay or be seen.??So much so that it spawned a whole family of similar art-filled hotels in Cork and Galway. Further expansion plans include openings in Birmingham and Belfast.

Currently, the talk of the town is The Dean’s fancy new extension The Dean Townhouse, which opens this month. It takes up residence at 36 Harcourt Street in a Georgian building which has been completely transformed with the addition of a mews extension. Inside, there are 49 bedrooms in three categories – Townhouse Cosy, Townhouse Super, Townhouse Balcony Super – which are a complete contrast in interior design to the instantly recognisable Dean Dublin guestrooms. Each room has a distinctive colour palette, from sumptuous reds, to earthy greens and calming blues, with complementary furnishings including contrasting fabric headboards, nature-inspired artwork, and bold illustrated wallpaper. There are the usual Dean touchpoints – snacks, treats and drinks from munchies bars, Smeg refrigerators and Marshall speakers.

Guests also have access to The Dean’s Power Gym and thermal suite and a new Townhouse Bar, which opens out onto a heated terrace, where the cocktail list is overseen by Marcin Bilewicz, the Dean’s executive bar manager. On the lower-ground floor, The Marshall Room is an interesting new light-filled events space designed with reclaimed timber with bespoke furniture, greenery and stunning artwork. Worth a look or a stay: current rates are from €150 per room; www.thedean.ie. 

Arthur’s, Hillsborough, Co Down

This new boutique hotel is in an elegant Georgian building on the Main Street of Royal Hillsborough and therefore could not be in a better location to enjoy the village’s attractions. Namely, Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, where the Good Friday Agreement was signed 25 years ago, and where the late Queen spent many childhood holidays. There’s also the historic Parish Church and picturesque Forest Park, a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

While there are a few discreet Airbnbs in the village, this is its first hotel, which has caused much excitement among residents. Owner Lynne McCabe has overseen the interior design of the twelve rooms herself. She describes it as a passion project for which she spent five years collecting antiques and art. “Each room has been carefully curated to reflect our local history and the rich tapestry of life here in Royal Hillsborough. It is also intended to pay homage to the Marquess of Downshire, who is synonymous with the area,” she explains.

Having had a tour, I loved the mix of contemporary and antique touches, and the overriding sense of comfort. Lynne has thought of everything: mini Smeg fridges filled with bottled water are on each floor, coffee machines, sweet treats, and hot water bottles (not that you need them!) are found in each room, many of which have impressive rolltop bathtubs.

The café on the ground floor is where residents have breakfast. After hours this is a private lounge area. It will soon be home to a special Hara pop-up restaurant for Mother’s Day – something of a destination dining spot for those in the know. There are also special discounts at some of the village’s renowned gastro pubs including The Plough and The Hillside, with other recommendations of what to visit in the area. These include distilleries, historic churches, acclaimed salvage yards and, not forgetting the Castle gardens where a Spring Spectacular starts from March 4-May 8, featuring over half a million bulbs in bloom. It’s also a great base for exploring more widely or visiting Belfast for some shopping. Overnight rates are from £140 – £225 depending on room types and occupancy, which includes a glass of prosecco on arrival; www.arthurshillsborough.com. 

The Morrison, Dublin

Since The Morrison opened its doors on Dublin’s Lower Ormond Quay in 1999, it has always been known for its stylish credentials, central location and comfort. Under new ownership since 2021, the hotel lobby and all 145 guest bedrooms were refurbished in 2022 with an investment of €4 million. NODA (Nikki O’Donnell Architects) worked in tandem with art consultancy Art Loves to refresh the ambiance and style, so much so that the hotel has just been awarded a five-star rating by Fáilte Ireland. In addition it has been awarded a Gold level rating from Green Tourism, which rewards sustainable tourism initiatives internationally. The hotel has also rebranded, being the first hotel in Ireland to join the Curio Collection by Hilton, known for the cool, contemporary aesthetic of its members.

What can guests expect? A muted colour palette with an emphasis on earthy tones is the backdrop for vibrant artworks. Decorative items, from textiles to sculpture and impressive light fixtures, are other standout features. In the guest rooms, there is a nod to the rock ‘n roll heritage of the hotel with song lyrics by local artists, writers and poets on the walls.

Pop in to have a look and meet the team, overseen by general manager Patrick Joyce. Have a drink in Quay 14, overlooking the Liffey, or book the new spring/summer themed afternoon tea or dinner in the Morrison Grill (which has a Jospers Grill), where chef Sushil Kumar oversees the dynamic, new seasonal menu. An overnight stay with breakfast for two is €235; www.morrisonhotel.ie.