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Conrad Dublin & Alex Restaurant

Situated directly opposite the National Concert Hall and just a stroll away from St Stephen's Green, this fine city centre hotel celebrated its sixteenth anniversary in 2005 with the completion of a major refurbishment programme, and it was the Guide's Business Hotel of the Year in 2006.

This is an extremely comfortable place to stay - friendly staff are well-trained and helpful, and many of the pleasantly contemporary guestrooms enjoy views of the piazza below and across the city; nice touches include providing an umbrella in each room - and also a laminated jogging map of the area with one- and three-mile routes outlined.

The Conrad has particular appeal for business guests, as all of the bedrooms also well-designed to double as an efficient office, with ergonomic workstation, broadband, dataports, international powerpoints and at least three direct dial telephones with voice-mail - and the hotel also has extensive state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, a fitness centre and underground parking.

Public areas include a raised lounge, which makes an ideal meeting place, and the popular Alfie Byrne's Pub, which is home to locals and visitors alike and opens on to a sheltered terrace.

Conference/banqueting (300/240). Executive boardroom (12). Business centre; secretarial services; video conferencing; free broadband wi/fi. Underground carpark (100). Children welcome (under 18s free in parents' room, cots available, baby sitting arranged).

Rooms 191 (16 suites, 6 junior suites, 165 no-smoking, 1 for disabled). Lift. 24 hr room service. Turndown service. B&B €235 pps, no SC. Open all year.

Alex:

Chef Simon Nightingale leads the kitchen team at The Conrad's seafood restaurant, Alex. The decor is contemporary classic - a bright open plan room, with Elizabeth Cope paintings and low music, has polished tables with crisp white runners, and smart modern place settings - and menus are divided into choices from Land or Sea.

Fish choices are quite extensive, balanced by a handful of meat and vegetarian choices. Delicious home-made breads (including a lovely Guinness bread) begin your meal and, although the tone is international, there may be some dishes with an Irish slant - the aim is to offer seasonal dishes based on top quality ingredients and cooked simply, using as little added fat and salt as possible. Sometimes special culinary events are arranged.

Attentive service from friendly staff helps ensure that dining here is an enjoyable experience.

Seats 92; air conditioning, children welcome, live jazz on Saturday eve. B 7-10.30am; L 12.30-2.30pm, D 5.30-9.30pm daily. Set 2/3 course L €30/€35, set 2/3 course D €40/45; house wine from €26. Restaurant closed D 25 Dec, L 26 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On the south-eastern corner of St Stephen's Green, opposite the National Concert Hall.