Where to Stay in Dublin, Ireland (For All Budgets)

Without a doubt, Dublin is a must-visit for your trip to Ireland and is most likely where you’ll fly into. This world-class city has sights scattered across the city and while most of Dublin is very walkable, there are definitely areas that you’re going to want to stay in or avoid, depending on the type of traveller that you are.

Before deciding where to stay in Dublin be sure to find the best places to stay in Dublin by area and then budget, which you can expect to find all of in this article. From the best hotels in Dublin from luxury hotels to Dublin hotels that even offer private rooms, this Dublin accommodation guide has got you covered for a fabulous, comfortable and easy stay in Ireland’s capital city.

One thing to know when booking accommodation in Dublin is to expect high prices. Dublin isn’t a cheap city but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t budget-conscious options. However, for all accommodation options be sure to book quick as this busy city gets booked fast!

Best Areas to Stay in Dublin

These are the top neighbourhoods to stay in Dublin and while each area is ideal for a certain kind of traveller don’t let the suggestions deter you. Temple Bar, though known for nightlife still has quiet areas and is a prime spot to stay!

• O’Connell Street: Where to stay in Dublin for the first time
• Temple Bar & Trinity: Where to stay in Dublin for nightlife and tourists
• Portobello: Where to stay in Dublin for local living
• Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Square: Where to stay in Dublin for green space
• Phibsborough: Where to stay in Dublin for laid-back local life
• The Docklands: Where to stay in Dublin for luxury or business

Best Places to Stay in Dublin

Broken down by area, these are the best Dublin hotels and accommodation options across the city.

O’Connell Street (Dublin City Centre)

Best area to stay in Dublin for first-timers

O’Connell Street is one of Dublin’s main streets that’s lined with shopping, dining and, of course, pubs. Around O’Connell Street there is no shortage of things to do or see and you’ll be within minutes walking distance to not only attractions and dining but also a number of Dublin’s other top neighbourhoods. The General Post Office is considered the centre of Dublin which means everything in the city is easily accessed from here. If it’s your first time visiting Dublin, O’Connell Street is a top choice for where to stay.

Top Picks for O’Connell Street

Luxury: Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin

The Gresham Dublin is one of the top choices for hotels in Dublin. This luxury hotel in Dublin is polished, grand and in a stellar location with Dublin’s best attractions within walking distance. The hotel itself is set in a historic building and has a restaurant, bar and gym on-site.

Mid-Range: Jurys Inn Dublin Parnell Street

Jurys Inn is a trusted hotel chain that provides mid-range, contemporary accommodation across Ireland, the UK and the Czech Republic. This location sits just off of O’Connell Street and is a top choice with all of the basic amenities covered, attractions within a short walking distance, comfortable rooms and has one of the stops for the Dublin airport shuttle just minutes away.

Budget: Jacobs Inn Hostel

Dublin is known as being an expensive city and it can be difficult to find budget hotels but there are plenty of hostels that offer top amenities (and sometimes more) than hotels. At Jacobs Inn Hostel you’re just a 10-minute walk to Temple Bar and this stylish, funky hostel has private rooms so you won’t have to sacrifice your beauty sleep.

Temple Bar & Trinity

Best area to stay in Dublin for culture, pubs & nightlife

Temple Bar is perhaps the most well-known area in all of Dublin. It’s here that party-goers take to the streets to hop from pub to pub in the evenings and throughout the night but it’s so much more than just a destination to have a good pint (or a few). It’s a charming area to walk through and is filled with shops, restaurants and pretty architecture. Temple Bar also borders Trinity, where Trinity College is located and these two areas can easily be grouped together as they’re both in the centre of Dublin and all of the top Dublin attractions in these areas are within walking distance of one another. Stay in Trinity or Temple Bar if you like nightlife or want to be in the most touristy part of Dublin.

Top Picks for Temple Bar & Trinity

Luxury: The Clarence

If you’re looking for the famous Bono hotel then this is it! The original rock n’ roll hotel in Dublin was purchased by Bono and now invites guests in with its trendy appeal. Each room here is individually designed with super-sized king beds and windows that are adorned with velvet drapes. For a boutique-style hotel in Dublin this is an obvious top choice with a fabulous location as well.

Mid-Range: Temple Bar Inn

There are few Dublin hotels in this price range that offer such a great location and with such style which easily makes this the best hotel in Dublin in the mid-price range. This brightly coloured, fun and chic hotel is one of the best picks in all of Dublin for accommodation. Right in the city centre you’re within walking distance to Trinity College and have many of Temple Bar’s best pubs only minutes away on foot. As one of the best places to stay, you can get cosy in the hotels shared spaces that include a lounge and shared terrace with free tea and coffee available.

Budget: Drury Court Hotel

A fabulous pick that is one of the top picks for budget hotels on Booking.com, is Drury Court Hotel. Though it’s not in the centre of Temple Bar, it’s only 5-minutes away. This property is recommended because of its close location, the value for the price and you’re still in Dublin’s cultural hub with St. Stephen’s Green and Dublin Castle just minutes away.

Portobello

Best area to stay in Dublin for vibrant local living

Portobello is just south of the city centre and gives visitors a place to stay that has a more local, laid-back vibe. Though that’s not to say that this area isn’t still colourful with lots of cool cafes and street art. What’s great about this area is that it’s quieter, less touristy and is only a 15-minute walk to the city centre. That being said, there aren’t really attractions here so if you prefer quiet, less tourists and don’t mind a short stroll morning and night then Portobello is a top choice for you.

Top Picks for Portobello

Luxury: Conrad Dublin

A top 5-star Dublin hotel, the Conrad Dublin surely doesn’t disappoint and rivals for the best Dublin hotel title. Located across from the National Concert Hall, this polished hotel features rooms with wooden floors and trendy artwork by Irish artists. While the rooms are fabulous the amenities are special too, with a bar that serves craft beer that you can enjoy on an outdoor terrace to a restaurant serving spectacular seafood, a fitness centre and 24-hour room service are obvious amenities that haven’t been overlooked either.

Mid-Range: Iveagh Garden Hotel

Stay right in the heart of Dublin in a hotel that is both stylish, eco-friendly and won’t break the bank. The Iveagh Garden Hotel is styled with rich textures that only make the welcoming hotel all that more luxurious. From the hotel you’re minutes away from Grafton Street, green space and much more. A bar and bistro is on-site and you can expect to wake up to city views from your chic room.

Budget: Harcourt Hotel

Harcourt Hotel is one of your best budget options in Portobello. The property consists of 8 Georgian listed buildings and provides great value for the price. It’s just a short walk to St. Stephen’s Green and is located on the green LUAS tram line that will take you directly to Grafton Street for shopping. A restaurant, bar, nightclub and a heated beer garden are also apart of the property but with over 100 rooms available, it’s possible to get a room that isn’t disrupted by noise.

Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Square

Best area to stay in Dublin for green space in the city

Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square are both located by Stephen’s Green. This area is filled with a ton of green space that can give you a bit of a breather from the bustling city life but without really leaving the city. Though this area isn’t as busy as the hot spots in Dublin, it within walking distance to many of the must-see sights and offers a peaceful oasis.

Top Picks for Merrion Square & Fitzwilliam Square

Luxury: The Merrion Hotel

Look no further if you want a truly luxurious hotel. The Merrion Hotel is a 5-star, award-winning hotel with a 2 Michelin star restaurant on-site and an infinity pool set in a beautiful Georgian building. Guests can look out over city or garden views from their immaculately decorated rooms and bathe in Italian marble bathrooms. A spa, steam room and fitness centre are also available but I think you’ve already been convinced that this hotel is luxury at its finest.

Mid-Range: Fitzwilliam Townhouse

Fitzwilliam Townhouse is one of the best sellers on Booking.com and with good reason! Set in a beautiful Georgian building, this affordable hotel in Dublin has all of the basics covered for you to have an enjoyable stay, right in the beautiful area between Merrion Square and St. Stephen’s Green.

Budget: Leeson Inn Downtown

Perhaps the most budget spot to stay in this area, Leeson Inn Downtown provides small rooms on a budget that are surrounded by restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and bars. If you’re looking for somewhere simple to rest your head with easy access to Dublin airport then this is a top pick as the airport shuttle stop is a minute walk away and the most visited spots in Dublin are within 15 minutes walking distance.

Phibsborough

Best area to stay in Dublin for laid-back local living

North of the Dublin city centre, Phibsborough is another great option for travellers who want to escape the hustle and bustle but still be within the city. This young and vibrant area is a mixture of residential and commercial properties and has more of a local feel than those areas in the centre.

Top Picks for Phibsborough

Luxury: Maldron Hotel Parnell Square

This bright and modern Dublin hotel is just a 2-minute walk to O’Connell Street and 10-minutes to other areas such as Temple Bar and Trinity. Each room has accents in the hotel’s signature yellow colour, inviting guests in for a comfortable stay. Amenities on-site include a buffet breakfast, delicious pizza at the cafe and bar and parking for guests who are doing an Ireland road trip.

Mid-Range: Tom Dick and Harriet’s Cafe and Rooms

A simple and cosy place to stay in Dublin that offers guests a restful place to sleep at night. This BnB is just off of O’Connell Street which means there’s easy access to all of the best things to see in Dublin. A delicious continental or an a la carte breakfast is served daily and each room includes a workspace and wardrobe.

Budget: Eccles Townhouse

A beautiful, budget-conscious option in the city centre, Eccles Townhouse is a guesthouse that has preserved the Victorian feel as it is situated in a traditional Victorian building. Original spaces of the building remain, such as the windows and steel columns, while the building has been brought up to modern standards. This boutique-style accommodation is a bestseller and even offers a cosy cafe for guests on the ground floor.

The Docklands

Best area to stay in Dublin for luxury accommodation

The Docklands is a mix of modern architecture and historic buildings along the Liffey River. It’s here that big tech companies such as Google and Facebook have offices, which is how the Docklands got its nickname, Silicon Docks, for all the Silicon Valley companies that have space in the area. While the Docklands is popular for business travellers, tourists venture over here too for an alternative place to stay in Dublin that offers luxury, lots of dining options, art and this where you can hop on a cruise and take a ride down the river.

Top Picks for The Docklands

Luxury: The Spencer Hotel

Sleek, modern and with all the nice luxuries you crave, The Spencer Hotel is a great spot in The Docklands. The hotel provides views over River Liffey and amenities that include a health centre with a gym and indoor swimming pool. Some of the rooms have balconies with incredible views over the city and a seating area while all have the extra touch of handmade toiletries.

Mid-Range: Hilton Garden Inn Dublin Custom House

Stylish, modern and a trusted international hotel brand, this Hilton hotel offers guests a fabulous location in the newly developed area of The Docklands. With a sightseeing tour stop just outside the doors, train access to go to all parts of the city within minutes walking distance and Dublin’s city centre less than 15 minutes away, the hotel provides a comfortable, spacious place to stay and relax between sightseeing.

Have an absolutely fantastic stay in Dublin! I hope this article served you well and helped you find where to stay in Dublin that’s perfect for your needs.

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