Hotel review: Guests can expect VIP treatment at famous Dublin five-star The Westbury
At Westbury Doyle The The Bar
A landmark hotel offering the best people-watching from its first-floor gallery, The Westbury is smack-bang in Dublin’s heart.
Grafton Street’s buskers are seconds from the front door, while you’re surrounded by excellent shopping, classic Dublin pubs and main tourist attractions.
The bedroom views allow you to do some serious spire counting over the city’s skyline too. A really super address.
While The Westbury’s exterior is no Georgian stunner, its contemporary facade looks smart and important.
Inside, a subtle Art Deco theme has been thoughtfully and successfully woven throughout the property, from the elegant public areas to the glamorous Sidecar cocktail bar, chic Wilde restaurant and plush bedrooms.
Symmetric motifs, refined repeat patterns, angular coving and gold accents lend a gilded sophistication to the hotel that whispers refined luxury. Think old-world vibes with a contemporary energy.
There’s something charming about The Westbury’s staff. An international team well versed in the warmth of an Irish welcome, it’s clear that staff training is a priority here.
Encounters with everyone from management like Elena and Cian to Sidecar waitress Noa and restaurant staff like Brendan and Daniel shows off a team of pros who connect with guests to make lasting impressions.
This style of notable above-and-beyond hospitality is the kind we hope all visitors are lucky enough to encounter when they come to our shores.
Sumptuous, stylish and well lit, the bedrooms have all been beautifully refurbished with luxe Deco flourishes, dark wood and clean lines.
Feeling like a refuge from the city bustle, ours has great natural light, good storage, a comfy seating area with coffee table and magazines, plenty of lamps, lovely rooftop views and a freestanding rolltop bath.
Generous piles of fluffy towels and extra Malin+Goetz toiletries ensure we’ve all we need. Aircon is quiet and the beds are firm and comfy with cool cotton pillows.
There’s no door on the bathroom – which is tucked around a corner – and, though the toilet has its own door, some may find the set-up unusual.
A dedicated bar nook filled with cut glasses in different sizes, gorgeous striped coffee cups, a kettle and a coffee machine is smartly designed.
Top marks for the bottled milk and box filled with three kinds of coffee pods and nine kinds of Ronnefeldt teas, with multiples of each.
Shortbread biscuits come as standard too and there are chocolates at turn-down. A well-stocked mini-bar offers a mix of niche Irish and international brands.
Pre-dinner drinks in the glamorous marble-and-leather Sidecar cocktail bar, where the mixologists wear white tuxes, is pure fun.
There’s great service and an engaging menu of originals alongside a serious spirit collection.
Balfe’s at street level is a seven-days-a-week brasserie that’s one of the city’s busiest spots.
Wilde, with its airy terrace and floral décor, is a dreamy fine-dining restaurant. Excellent prawn cocktail and sole meuniere, plated tableside off the bone, are stand-out dishes, with signature Baked Alaska less so.
Breakfast is served in this lovely room too, with the terrace tables brighter than the internal ones.
The buffet is small but includes everything you’d want, including good yoghurt, fresh fruits, juices and a small charcuterie and cheese selection.
Eggs Royale with superb Hollandaise on a fluffy muffin is great, as is the delicious breakfast tea. A lacklustre croissant and cinnamon roll disappoint, however.
There’s no pool or spa but the neighbourhood is surrounded by premium beauty businesses and salons.
There’s a fitness suite and jogging station but runners will find Georgian Dublin the nicest track of all.
The concierge team can arrange anything you’re looking for, from restaurant booking to tickets.
Despite the luxurious bedrooms there’s no mirror near a plug socket in ours, which means I kneel in the sitting room to dry and style my hair using the obscured bar mirror. While a fan of Malin + Goetz toiletries, the single use plastics should really be phased out.
Full access across the property including specially adapted rooms.
Very, including interconnecting rooms, a teddy bear gift, cute tent for sleepovers, colouring book, milk and cookies, a special afternoon tea and babysitting service.
Service dogs only.
Yes, in the underground car park.
- The Westbury
- Grafton St, Dublin 2
- www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel
- Our verdict: 9.5/10
- The bill: B&B from €420 per room.
- Jillian Bolger was a guest of The Westbury.