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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 recently celebrated its first decade by bringing the same team back to undertake a complete overhaul and refurb: this has been done with style and discretion and, although some areas - notably the guest rooms - changes are fairly major, in others it feels more like a subtle freshen up.

In tune with the hotel's 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.

There's an in-house hair & beauty salon, Free Spirit, and the hotel has a great hidden asset - Ireland's largest roof garden.

: On a mezzanine with a balcony overlooking a floating indoor bridge connecting two sides of the hotel, this city-centre restaurant is modern and vibrant with citrus recessed neon lighting, soft greys, mirrors, and dark woods. Ideal for Grafton Street shoppers, it offers high quality food ranging from superior snack food - perfect for a quick lunch - to more elaborate dishes that befit a lingering meal. Typically, a refreshing Gazpacho comes with cucumber spaghetti and a selection of delicious warm breads, a main course of chargrilled chicken is served atop a perfectly mixed Caesar dressing and roast cod and clams accompany well-dressed papardella pasta. There is also a choice of sushi â? from Ebi or Californian Maki to a fish-based Mariawase selection of prawn, mackerel, salmon, tuna and squid. Service is professional and friendly - and thereâ?s a great wine list too. Open all day. Informal meals also served at fashionable â?The Inn on the Greenâ? bar. Conference/banqueting (80/60). 3 conference rooms; secretarial services; children welcome; (under12s free in parents' room; cots available free of charge). 24 hour room service. Rooms 128 (2 suites, 128 executive, 90 no-smoking, 4 for disabled). Lift. B&B about €160pps. No service charge. Open all year. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

West side of St. Stephen's Green