The Fitzwilliam Hotel

If a comfortable city centre base is what you’re after, you won’t get more central than this stylish contemporary hotel, and, behind the deceptively low-key frontage (Luas station at the door), lies an impressively sleek interior - initially created by Sir Terence Conran’s design group, the hotel celebrated its first decade by bringing the same team back to undertake a complete overhaul and refurb: this was done with style and discretion and, although in some areas - notably the guest rooms - changes were fairly major, in others it felt more like a subtle freshen up.

In tune with this Dublin hotels reputation for understated luxury and discreet service, the public areas combine elegant minimalism with luxury fabrics and finishes, notably leather upholstery and a fine pewter counter in the bar, which is a chic place to meet in the Grafton Street area.

In addition to the hotel’s premier restaurant, Thornton's (see separate entry), breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily in their smart informal restaurant Citron Brasserie, on the mezzanine level, which is ideal for Dubliners escaping from the full-on retail experience nearby.

Some of the bedrooms overlook the Green and, while most are quite compact for a luxury hotel, the most desirable is a 2,000sq ft penthouse suite - and all are designed to an equally high standard with smart new decor, air-conditioning, safe, broadband, stereo CD player and minibar, and equal care has been lavished on the bathrooms too, including designer toiletries.

Although perhaps more often seen as a leisure destination (the city’s prime shopping area is, after all, on the doorstep), this stylish the Fitzwilliam is no stranger to business guests.

You won’t get a more central or convenient business base than here and not only is the bar one of the city’s handiest meeting places but, with an on-site choice between the smart casual Citron Brasserie and the gourmet paradise Thornton's, when nothing but the best will do for business guests, the hotel offers all that is required to make the right impression for business entertaining.

By contrast with big conference hotels, the scale is pleasingly intimate, with three stylish and state-of-the-art meeting rooms available for up to 80 delegates, an emphasis on service and on-site parking; the gym is open around the clock, and there’s an in-house hair & beauty salon. And the hotel has a great hidden asset - Ireland’s largest roof garden.