Royal Marine Hotel

Marine Road,
Dun Laoghaire,
Dublin
Royal Marine Hotel enquiries
www.royalmarine.ie

• Beautifully restored historic hotel.
• State-of-the-art Spa.
• Luxurious accommodation and great food.

The Royal Marine Hotel re-opened in Dun Laoghaire last year after two years of extensive refurbishment. We visited it then and loved the contemporary twist to the classic elegance of this historic hotel. We revisited this year and tried out the new Sansana Spa and discovered a real gem in a world gone crazy with spa facilities.

SANSANA SPA AT THE ROYAL MARINE HOTEL

Seamlessly adjoining the hotel, the spa is situated next to the Leisure Club. With a well equipped gym, beautiful pool, Jacuzzi and sauna and steam room, the Pier Health Club is tastefully enveloped in cool blue hues. But when we entered the Sansana Spa, it was all browns and creams, space and serenity and excellent treatments and products. The thermal suite offers hydrotherapy, dry flotation, and a Rasul Mud Chamber. Uspa products from Australia are used, and I could not resist treating my dehydrated skin to a Hydramax, which was a 75 minute treatment of pure heaven. It started with bathing, exfoliating and massaging my feet, continued with a back and shoulder massage and then went on to a deep cleansing hydrating facial. There was also a scalp and hand and foot massage throughout the facial, and I can honestly say it was one of the best treatments I have ever experienced.
Of all the great spas in Ireland today, Sansana Spa with its facilities, treatments, therapists and products is undoubtedly one of the best.

ACCOMMODATION AT THE ROYAL MARINE HOTEL

Situated right in the heart of Dun Laoghaire, looking out at the Irish Sea, this hotel holds many memories for me as I grew up in nearby Dalkey. It was wonderful to stay in the hotel again and enjoy all the contemporary luxury that the new bedrooms now offer. We had a wonderful room on the sixth floor that had a big bay window looking out over Dun Laoghaire harbour and you could see as far as Sandycove on one side and Blackrock on the other! The bed was really comfortable, and in the bathroom we had a Jacuzzi bath and a super power shower! There was broadband at the desk which worked a dream, and so we had that perfect atmosphere where we could both work and relax as we needed during our stay.

This hotel is situated right beside Dun Laogharie Shopping Centre, the main shopping area of George’s Street, the church, the pier, and the DART which brings you straight into Dublin City Centre in twenty minutes. The location is just marvellous for anybody who wants everything in the one location. And I heard that for those travelling to and from Dublin Airport there is a new coach service that is quicker and cheaper than any other. The Patton Flyer – www.pattonflyer.ie – goes on the hour every hour to and from Dublin Airport and The Royal Marine Hotel. So now guests can really enjoy the best of both worlds, it is like being in the city and not being in the city at the same time!

DINING AT THE ROYAL MARINE HOTEL

We did enjoy some great shopping during our stay, Dun Laoghaire has some excellent shops and everything is a short walk away. We also walked the pier, which is a very healthy and sociable way to get an appetite for dinner. And we certainly had that appetite when we arrived at Dun Bistro later that evening! From our table we had stunning views over the harbour and a menu that was packed with tempting choices. We enjoyed some excellent warm smoked salmon fillet, succulent lamb, perfectly cooked vegetables and creamy champ. Starters included a goat’s cheese and sweet potato roulade, and superb chowder. The wine list contains some excellent wines from both New and Old Worlds. Breakfast the next morning continued in quality culinary tradition with real juices, not concentrates, and some lovely pastries.

I was sorry to leave this hotel, but I know I will be back. A new spa is opening in the autumn and we will certainly be going back to check that out. It is so great to see this fine hotel open again, better than ever. It was first established in 1828 and has welcomed Kings and Queens and such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Laurel and Hardy, Danny Kaye and our own Michael Collins and Kitty Kiernan. It is set to welcome many more famous names in the future. The Hotel Reviews Ireland team are proud to be part of that growing list of celebrities!
Get the best rates here www.royalmarine.ie