i have just found out that my girlfriend has won a trip that she bid on at her daughters school auction. So her and I are going first week of July. The trip consists of 4 nights at the Ashford castle in Mayo. It looks great but has anyone been there? We are going to add in 2 nights in Dublin. We want a really nice 4 or 5 star hotel close to the center of things. I just started researching and keep hearing good things about the Merrion, but would love some suggestions. Thank you to all!

Have the Fitzwilliam booked for September. It's a great location on St. Stephen's Square and their "Almost too good to be true" special offers a superior room for $149 a nite per room. Be careful... some rooms are offered per person per night, making some offers quite high. My daughter saw the hotel while she was in Dublin and said it was beautiful.

First of all, Ashford Castle is wonderful! I got engaged there last year and spent my wedding night there this year!! The grounds and the castle are breathtakingly beautiful. The service and food is top class.

In Dublin, I usually stay at the Westbury Hotel. It is a five star hotel 50 years off Grafton Street (the main shopping street. Lovely big lobby to enjoy afternoon tea, or perhaps a bottle of champagne (my preference!), over looking the people of Grafton Street.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Angela

50 yards, not 50 years. How dumb do I feel??

The Merrion would be my first choice - one of the last times I was there for afternoon tea, Kelsey Grammar from Frazier was there with his family at the next table! Even though it's located in an old building, the hotel itself is quite new, so the facilities are excellent. The Fitzwilliam is also quite nice - not as luxurious as the Merrion, but also quite new. The rooms at the front could be quite noisy but would have a nice view over Stephens Green. The Westbury is also pleasant, but I thought the rooms were a bit disappointing. All three hotels are in excellent locations at the centre of Dublin.

Just stayed at the Conrad, a Hilton property a half-block past St Stephen's. So the walk into the main part of town each day began and ended with a floral stroll. Good rooms, recently redone and modern, and service, no traffic noise at all. The hotels right on St. Steve Square are pricier. Avoid anything directly on Grafton or in Temple Bar. Best prices change almost daily at the hilton/conrad online site. We got 145 Euro a night by booking 6 weeks ahead.

Has anyone stayed at Number 31? Are three nights in Dublin about right if we only have a little over a week ?

I will be staying at the Radisson SAS St. Helens. It is about 3 miles from the city centre. It is a 5 star hotel and was developed from an 18th century mansion. I was there last summer and took a quick tour of the property. It was amazing. It was also voted hotel of the year in 2000.

I would second the suggestion of the FitzWilliam. It's got a great location both overlooking St Stephen's Green and 2 steps from Grafton St -- much more convenient than many others. Also, the FitzWilliam has a modern-hip feel to it, while still being an extremely comfortable place to stay, somehow mirroring the 'new' feel of Dublin. (At least compared to the old dowdy feeling of Dublin of 20 years ago.)

I cannot say enough nice things about The Four Seasons in Dublin. Fantastic rooms with Four Seasons service. I liked, too, that it was out of the way and not smack in the middle of the city. It's is not the nicest Four Seasons, has a much more business feel to it but that's not much of a complaint. It is perfect for a special night out. Dinner there was both a work of art as well as being absolutely delicious! 100% recommend.

Have also stayed at the FitzWilliams. It definately has that modern feel to it and nice rooms with huge bathrooms. It is centrally located although I'd probably ask for a room up a bit and not near or at street level. Back rooms may be less noisy but the front rooms overlook The Green. Your choice, of course.

Have fun!
Wendy