Having opened its doors only as recently as November 1st The Devlin Dublin is a stunning contemporary hotel, standing tall in the leafy suburb of Ranelagh.
The ambience of this gorgeous hotel literally wraps itself around you from the moment you step through its shiny modern doors. Our first step inside immediately gave us the kind of Friday feeling that just lifts your mood instantly. Despite feeling exhausted and a little world-weary, the coolest tunes were playing, the staff were warm, friendly and so helpful and the low hum of other people chatting and laughing made this beautiful place all the more inviting.
The minimalist reception desk, with its clean lines and compact stature, was manned by the friendliest fellow, who checked us in so efficiently and effortlessly, this is such a welcome attribute to any hotel stay. The neon light above the reception desk with the words, ‘I Came Here For You’ immediately reminded us of the same style sign in its sister hotel, The Dean on Harcourt Street.
Our Room
The Devlin hosts four different types of rooms. From the basic ModPod to the luxurious TriPod which sleeps three to four people with one double bed and two plush bunk booths. Each room, no matter which one you pick, is packed with grooming goodies from The Grafton Barber, Dyson Hairdryer, Marshall Amp, Netflix, Munchie Box and the most amazing power shower. The Munchie Box being a particular favourite of ours. Stocked with a myriad of treats from mostly Irish producers. All these fun little elements make for a great stay.
We booked a TriPod Room, its design is simply the best use of eighteen square meters of space that we have ever encountered. With sleeping space for four people, we both agreed it would make for the perfect girls or guys night away. Understated luxury best describes these compact rooms. With a fully stocked mini bar, you could be persuaded not to leave this room at all! If it wasn’t for all the other charms of this hotel drawing you back out.
On the ground floor beside the reception sits the Americana, a New York loft style cocktail bar. Stretching along one side you have a slick, modern, illuminated cocktail bar and on the opposite side, window seating is plentiful. If you are a fan of Sophie’s at The Dean Hotel, then you will feel right at home with the signature interior design that has become a bespoke feature of the Press Up Groups establishments. Cocktails in this bar have an average price of €13.00.
We decided to go for the Cornflakes which contains Roe & Co, Teeling Small Batch, Oat Milk, Cornflakes, Lemon, honey water, propolis, whites. This cocktail was so smooth, it’s the sort of whiskey you could actually have for breakfast. Our second cocktail was On The Rocks which contained Talisker 10, Manzanilla Sherry, Vin D’Orange, Kombucha Lemonade, Salt, Stone. This cocktail was strong and smokey with a serious hit of Scottish Peat running through it.
The Stella Cinema
After the huge success of the recently reopened Stella Cinema in Rathmines, the guys at The Devlin created The Stella’s Little Sister in the basement. With all of the plush features of the Rathmines Theatre, you can fully immerse yourself in the luxurious cinema experience without leaving the hotel. Seating only 42 people, this cute and compact theatre is well worth a visit and booking is recommended. On the night we visited the Hollywood blockbuster Stan & Ollie was showing which was a lovely movie that captured the friendship and life story of this iconic comedy duo. Having wine and some bar bites delivered mid-movie is a decadent treat not to be overlooked.
Layla’s Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
Situated on the top floor of the hotel is Layla’s Restaurant & Rooftop Bar. Entering this buzzing spot on a busy Friday night we secured two seats on the heated, spacious rooftop terrace. Overlooking vibrant Ranelagh Village makes this the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks. Just like Sophie’s at The Dean, Layla’s is surrounded by windows allowing diners to enjoy the night lights and breathtaking views of Dublin.
There is plenty of choice on the menu to suit all palates. The steak lover, casual pizza diner & the more adventurous foodie will all find a dish to satisfy. To start, we went for the Fillet of Beef Tacos, Radish Salad & Japanese Wasabi Mayo and the Tempura Shrimp, Sweet Pea & Smoked Pancetta Risotto with Parmesan Crisps. The beef was perfectly cooked and flavourful, complimented by the lightness of the radish salad and the warmth of the wasabi mayo. The Tempura Shrimp, succulent shrimp encased in a light, crisp tempura batter nestled on a bed of the most delicious Sweet Pea and Smoked Pancetta Risotto. This risotto was one of the best we have tasted in quite a while, cooked to absolute perfection.
For our mains, we decided to explore the two most popular sides of the menu. Opting for one adventurous dish in the Pan Seared Hake, warm artichoke, kale, mushroom & smoked bacon salad with a lemon gremolata. Crisp golden skin and the flakey white flesh of the Hake was set off perfectly by the mushroom & smoked bacon salad. Our choice of second main course was the casual Friday night favourite, pizza. A delicious Pizza with Spicy Chorizo sausage, red onion, pancetta, roast peppers, a delicious thin & crispy base with an indulgent assortment of toppings. After dining in most of the Press Up Group Restaurants, we were pleasantly surprised by the menu and the fact that the quality of the food matched the quality of the view on offer.
This small but mighty hotel packs a full on punch of fun on every floor. The Devlin has succeeded where other places have failed over the past few years. They have created the perfect all-encompassing venue making it possible to have a thoroughly enjoyable & engaging night on many levels without stepping outside its doors.
Once you check in we promise you won’t want to leave.
The Devlin Dublin
117 – 119 Ranelagh Road
Dublin 6
T: +353 01-406 6550
W: www.thedevlin.ie
E: info@thedevlin.ie
WRITTEN BY KEITH MAHON & OLIVIA BYRNE