Georgian Dublin holds many secrets but the most glamorous one of all may just be Boutique Hotel, Number 31! Nestled in the prestigious Lesson Close, an understated exterior belies a hive of Art Deco glam on the interior.
A work event in Dublin that would see us imbibe a little, and eat a lot, meant we were in search of a place to lay our heads for the night. It was crucially important that we could walk to and from the city as the ongoing issue with getting a taxi seems to be going nowhere fast! Booking an overnight stay in Number 31 appealed largely due to its location but also, because we have stayed in so many of Dublin’s larger Hotel’s, we were interested to see what else was on offer.
On arrival, we were delighted to snag a spot in Number 31’s own private carpark (operating on a first come, first served basis) located opposite the back entrance, which is in fact the original Mews. Convenience is King in this superbly appointed spot!
Making our way through the large wooden door of the Mews, a dinky outdoor terrace brought us through to reception which sits just to the rear of a very chic sunken seating area, complete with large blazing fire and a small but perfectly formed (and filled), Honesty Bar.
Renowned Dublin Architect, the late, bold and brilliant, Sam Stephenson is responsible for the rejuvenation and modernisation of Number 31. Stephenson left many a (in some instances controversial) mark around Dublin, the most prominent being the Central Bank and Civic Offices. Number 31 was a revered party spot in the 60’s and 70’s…if those walls could talk, eh!!!
They very design showing how well this spot would lend itself to being party central back when Stephenson called this home.
A warm welcome and seamless check-in saw us heading across the ornate courtyard to the adjoining Townhouse where our room for the night was located. Dotted idyllically with garden furniture amid the extensive herbaceous plants and trees. A glorious secret garden in the middle of the city embellished with a very impressive fire-pit making this the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or two from the Honesty Bar, weather permitting.
With six room types to choose from, we opted for the ‘Fabulous Double Room’. Admittedly the name enthralled us as much as the photos on the website. Glitz and glamour greeted us from the time we opened the art adorned door to room number 20.
Rich golden tones, luxurious fabrics and finishes evoke an oppulent vibe, in keeping with the decor throughout the Mews and Townhouse. A sumptuously dressed king size bed, large, wall mounted TV and generous ensuite, this fabulous room sure lived up to its name.
Location, location, location…Number 31 has this nailed! The perfect place to base yourself for exploring Dublin. Within walking distance of St. Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street as well as the stunning, Iveagh Gardens.
Within walking distance you also have The Guinness Storehouse, a must visit when touring Dublin’s historic landmarks. A pint in The Brazen Head, one of Ireland’s oldest pubs, a visit is essential to experience a true taste of traditional Dublin. Dublin Castle and the National Gallery of Ireland both make for a great day out and again, when you have all of these wonderful amenities within walking distance, along with an array of fantastic restaurants and bars basing yourself in Number 31 just makes sense!
We particularly enjoyed how bright and airy both our bedroom and the communal areas were. The hallways are like mini galleries all of they’re own with unique and quirky artwork and furnishings.
Breakfast is always a source of excitement when you are staying in a Hotel, sometimes that excitement is quashed when you are met with a less than lovely morning feast alas, fear not, the Award Wining Breakfast on offer is top notch.
Served in the bright and airy glass conservatory, Delia’s breakfast quite rightfully holds the title of Georgina Campbell’s Best Guesthouse Breakfast in Ireland, and once you have experienced it, you will be left in no doubt as to why.
We were served fresh fruit, yoghurt, freshly baked bread and the most delicious orange and cranberry nut loaf which we were reliably informed is a guest favourite.
The Breakfast Menu reads like a dream, along side the expected Full Irish there are many more delicious options including Smoked Herring Kippers & Eggs, Mushroom Frittata and more. We opted for Eggs Florentine.
Two perfectly soft poached free-range eggs enrobed in a beautiful, buttery, homemade hollandaise sauce sat atop a delightfully fresh English muffin swathed in smoked salmon and sautéed spinach. The addition of a traditional Irish potato cake on the side made for one very, very good breakfast. Award winning for sure.
We throughly enjoyed our stay in Number 31 and only wish it could have been for longer. As mentioned at the outset, location was our primary reason for booking but the hospitality received and the comfort and calm of this Dublin City sanctuary delivered beyond our expectations. We will most certainly return and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great Dublin City stay.
31 Leeson Close,
Dublin 2,
D02 CP70
Tel: +353 1 6765011
E-mail: stay@number31.ie
www.number31.ie
WRITTEN BY KEITH MAHON & OLIVIA BYRNE