The Shelbourne
So many hotels claim five star status. And then there’s The Shelbourne. Centrally located to all major attractions, The Shelbourne lies at the epicentre of Dublin. This historic hotel with its commanding view overlooking St. Stephen’s Green, is Dublin’s premier five star landmark hotel. Like other fine hotels, the Shelbourne commands style, sophistication, and charm. But the Shelbourne seems to rise above the rest in terms of style, charm, location, and superb service.
Since 1824, the Shelbourne occupies an esteemed history intertwined in the social and political fabric of Dublin. The Shelbourne is a landmark hotel in every sense of the word, literally a place where history has written. Like in the Constitution Suite where the Irish Constitution was first drafted in 1922. Or the heritage suites, named after the famous guests who’ve stayed there over the years. And the bullet holes in the building’s facade where rebels took pot shots from Stephen’s Green.
Ah but the place has cleaned itself up quite nicely. After a two year refurbishment project that left no crevasse of the hotel untouched, the Shelbourne has reopened to define the epitome of style and luxury. The investments have paid off, earning The Shelbourne numerous accolades including in 2007 being named “Best Overall Hotel”
The cast of characters who have walked through its doors or made history over a pint in the Horseshoe Bar, is truly impressive: almost every great Irish literary figure over the last century, including Brendan Behan, Patrick Kavanagh, and Seamus Heaney, as well as scores of International celebrities, including John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, James Cagney, and John F. Kennedy. For the guests the Shelbourne oozes a palpable sense of history.
The Shelbourne is deceptively large, with some 265 guest rooms, including 19 suites, 12 of which named after famous guests including Grace Kelly, John F. Kennedy, and Michael Collins. Suites are found in the Heritage Wing in the front of the hotel facing out over Stephen’s Green, where guests enjoy access to the impressive heritage lounge, with its food, beverage and concierge services. The remaining rooms, designated either Deluxe or Queen, while smaller are certainly no great step down in quality. Each of the guest rooms are kept to the same high standards. Queen and king sized beds wrapped in fine Egyptian cotton and drowned in feathers. The Shelbourne claims to have Ireland’s best bed. And though we’ve slept in many fine ones, we’d have to concur.
The Shelbourne also sets an exacting standard for food and beverage among its three bars and Saddle Room restaurant, not to mention an array of conferencing and banquet suites. The Saddle Room Restaurant is a modern steak and seafood restaurant, The Shelbourne’s stylish and airy No.27 Bar and Lounge, with an extensive wine and cocktail list, makes for an excellent place to meet friends and people watch. While the cozy and atmospheric Horseshoe Bar is an integral part of Dublin’s social scene. Many a great ideas have been formed on cocktail napkins at the Horseshoe.
The Shelbourne delivers perhaps the best level of service we’ve ever experienced, certainly for a hotel its size. Unlikely as it may seem, everyone working at the Shelbourne seemed to love their job and understand the spirit of hospitality and service. About the only ill word we could conjure up for the Shelbourne is against their policy of not including breakfast in the package price, a rarity in Irish hospitality, along with the all too common practice of charging dearly for the internet.
