Hotel review: Dublin's Ruby Molly is a slice of inner-city comfort

This north inner city area is mixed and undergoing rejuvenation, so has everything from derelict buildings to refurbishments and new builds.

The hotel is beside Dublin’s historic fruit and flower market, which closed in 2019 but is due to be redeveloped, while ‘secret’ celeb hotspot The Hacienda is right next door. 

Capel St itself has a lively mix of pubs, restaurants and shops with O’Connell St, Temple Bar and public transport all short walks.

7/10

Style & design

An unremarkable looking new build, the character of the interior more than makes up for it. 

The huge bar area has an eclectic mix of seating areas, with vintage tables, chairs and sofas creating a ‘rustic meets refined’ vibe, with plenty of nooks. 

Some of the design references the area’s legacy as a market, with creative displays of market signs and baskets. 

The focal point is the hotel bar —– with the reception desk at one end. There’s a small guest library (though the vintage books are more for show than content).

In contrast to the colourful ground floor, guest rooms are decorated in cool white tones, creating a relaxing atmosphere away from the buzz of the city (and lobby).

8/10

Service

To keep the hotel affordable, it has pared many things back so there’s a lean towards automation rather than high staff numbers. Check-in is part of the bar area. 

I got an email beforehand asking for my registration details for a speedier check-in, but it was still quite slow when I arrived, as staff had to assist each person and create their key. 

However, check-out was speedy — you can drop your key in a box and the invoice follows by email.

5/10

Guest rooms

Ruby Hotel’s 18th hotel in Europe, the design philosophy is ‘lean luxury’, so they have done away with some of the usual hotel room features like a fridge, mini-bar, phone or separate bathroom, but the space is used wisely and it feels well-equipped rather than lacking. 

There are five room types, from 16sqm to 25sqm. Beds are extremely comfortable and there is air conditioning plus plenty of shelf space, sockets and lighting. 

There’s a TV, wardrobe, luggage rack, safe and good quality hairdryer. The sink and vanity area is within the room and is well lit, and the shower is behind a glass screen, plus the hotel’s brand of toiletries in refillable bottles. 

A collection of baskets on the wall gives a nod to the area’s marketplace heritage.

8/10

In-room perks

There’s no in-room tea, coffee or water bottles but each floor has a small ‘galley’ to make tea or instant coffee, with disposable cups and a hot water tap. 

There are also vending machines on each floor. Toiletries are from the hotel’s own brand with a choice of ‘invigorating’ or ‘soothing’ shower gel. 

Each room has a Bluetooth speaker and a Marshall amp — you can hire an electric guitar from the bar.

6/10

On the menu

Cocktails are a specialty and the signature is a Delicious Sour with poitín, apple, rosemary, citrus and ginger. There’s no hotel restaurant, but you can get small plates from the bar — pizza and piadine (flatbreads). 

Breakfast is an extra €18. There’s a good choice of cereals, cheeses, salamis and pastries at the breakfast buffet, plus sausage, hash browns and boiled eggs as the hot options, and barista coffee.

8/10

Activities & amenities

For a quiet area, there’s a small library in the front of the lobby and there are also plenty of tables around the spacious bar area. 

The bar also plans to host live performances by local up-and-coming bands at night.

5/10

The bill

Rooms start at €160 for single occupancy.

The Hotel Examiner was a guest of Ruby Molly

Affordable, pared-back luxury in Dublin’s north inner city

• Ruby Molly Hotel 
• 26-33 East Arran Street, Dublin 7 
• www.ruby-hotels.com/en/destinations/dublin