The Shelbourne

27 St Stephen's Green,
Dublin 2
The Shelbourne Hotel enquiries
www.theshelbourne.ie

• Uniquely historical Dublin hotel.
• Opulent comfort and contemporary style.
• Seriously good food and most beautiful breakfast in town!

Our recent visit to the refurbished Shelbourne Hotel did actually exceed our expectations. This historical hotel has been a landmark in Dublin city for generations, going back as far as 1824. History was made here when the Irish Constitution was drafted in 1922 under the chairmanship of Michael Collins. It has seen countless famous names from throughout the globe coming through its doors, and for Dubliners it has been their favourite hotel for decades.

My own parents dined and danced there, and I used to meet many colleagues in the popular Horseshoe Bar, and also enjoyed occasional afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge for a treat. With all the new hotels opening in the city in the last few years, we did not realize how much we missed The Shelbourne until it re-opened last year after a major refurbishment. We loved the new look Shelbourne Hotel – same address on St Stephen’s Green, but when you walk through the revolving door there is a new sense of space and light, sparkling chandeliers and decorative stained glass. Gone is the central elevator giving way to the original grand sweeping staircase, and The Horseshoe Bar, The Lord Mayor’s Lounge and The Constitution Room have all been restored while the new restaurant, The Saddle Room and No. 27 Bar & Lounge have been added.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL

We stayed in one of the heritage suites named after John McCormack, one of the most successful singers of the 20th century. Other famous guests who have suites named after them include Princess Grace, Charles Stewart Parnell, John F. Kennedy, Peter O’Toole and Michael Collins. While John McCormack spent eighteen months living at the Shelbourne Hotel towards the end of his career, we indeed could have made this suite our home for as long if we had the opportunity! We had everything we could want in the bedroom – super-comfortable king-size bed with silky soft Egyptian cotton bedding; flat-screen television, big mirrors and comfortable chairs, proper iron and ironing board and good reading lights. Our huge bathroom was fitted in marble with under-floor heating, top quality towels, robes and toiletries and separate toilet. Our lounge area was particularly spacious with desk area, another television and another mini-bar, and a very comfortable sitting area. This historic suite really was larger than some apartments I have been in, and certainly makes for super luxury when staying in the city centre.

DINING AT THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL

We headed down to the Saddle Room for dinner noting that it is billed as “A Modern Steak & Seafood Restaurant”. Having read the extensive menu, we decided indeed to go for a steak and some seafood including prawns and sole. We began with a delightful champagne cocktail and we enjoyed very pleasant and attentive service while taking in our surroundings and fellow guests. The restaurant is really very well appointed, with the open kitchen surrounded by tables in both booths and several spaces that allows for intimate dining with real restaurant atmosphere. The tenderloin steak was perfection, the seafood was succulent, and despite starters of a classic Caesar Salad and Curried Crab Gratin, we did indeed indulge in delicious desserts. We had a great wine recommendation from the friendly Sommelier who even prompted us to try a dessert wine to finish up.
I just have to mention the breakfast. We do a lot of hotel breakfasts, and most are predictable, some are exceptional and occasionally we come across something supreme. At The Saddle Room the next morning, the oyster and champagne bar had been transformed into a regal buffet and we were surrounded by every hot and cold dish you could imagine. Along with that is a menu with specials that would set you up for the week! My colleague went down for an early breakfast and I meandered down later and both us agreed that there were so many fresh and imaginative dishes on offer, that we would certainly have to return. In fact, we would book into the Shelbourne Hotel for the breakfast alone. Luckily enough there are so many other great reasons to re-visit that the next special occasion that comes up, we will head to The Shelbourne to celebrate!