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Brooks Hotel & Francescas Restaurant

One of Dublin's most desirable addresses, especially for business guests, the Sinnott family's discreetly luxurious hotel is a gem of a place - an oasis of calm just a couple of minutes walk from Grafton Street.

A ground floor bar, lounge and restaurant all link together, making an extensive public area that is quietly impressive on arrival - the style is a pleasing combination of traditional with contemporary touches, using a variety of woods, some marble, wonderful fabrics and modern paintings - and, while a grand piano adds gravitas, there's a welcome emphasis on comfort (especially in the residents' lounge, where spare reading glasses are thoughtfully supplied). Efficient service ensures you are in your room promptly, usually with the help of Conor, the concierge, who never forgets a face or a name.

All bedrooms have exceptionally good amenities, including a pillow menu (choice of five types) and well-designed bathrooms with power showers as well as full baths (some also have tile screen TV), and many other features.

Boardrooms offer state-of-the-art facilities for meetings and small conferences, and there is a 26-seater screening room.

Fitness suite & sauna. Children welcome (under 2 free in parents' room; cots available without charge, baby sitting arranged). No pets.

Rooms 98 (1 suite, 2 junior suites, 3 executive, 87 no-smoking, 5 semi-invalid). Lift. Air conditioning throughout. 24 hr room service. B&B €160pps, ss €100.

*Special breaks offered - details on application. Arrangement with car park. Open all year.

Francescas:

Pre-dinner drinks are served in a lovely little cocktail bar, Jasmine, and the restaurant has a youthful contemporary look, and a welcoming ambience - an open plan kitchen has well positioned mirrors allowing head chef Patrick McLarnon and his team to be seen at work.

Tables are elegantly appointed with classic linen cloths and napkins, and waiting staff, smartly attired in black, look after customers with warmth and professionalism. Patrick sources ingredients with great care (wild salmon, organic chicken, dry aged steak, wild boar sausage), his cooking is generally imaginative - and there's a strong emphasis on fish and seafood.

Unusual meat dishes may include a starter of McGeough's air-dried Connemara lamb (subject to availability) and a main course of pan-fried Finnebrogue venison. Finish, perhaps, with a zingy home-made lemon tart served with a delicious strawberry or raspberry sorbet and a classy individually packed infusion, or coffee.

A nice wine selection includes good quality wines available by the glass. The early dinner offers good value, and breakfast offers a wide variety of juices, cereals and nuts, yoghurt, pastries, meat, cheeses and fruit.

A good range of hot dishes includes pancakes with maple syrup, kippers with poached egg and full Irish breakfast as you like it, although service can be slow.

[*Informal meals also available 10 am-11.30 daily.]


Seats 30. Reservations advised. Children welcome. Air conditioning.Toilets wheelchair accessible. D daily, 6-9.30 (Fri/Sat to 10). Early D €18.50 (6-7); also á la carte & vegetarian menus. Closed to non-residents 24/25th December. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Near St Stephen's Green, between Grafton and Great St. Georges Streets; opposite Drury Street car park.