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Four Seasons Hotel

Set in its own gardens on a section of the Royal Dublin Society's 42-acre show grounds, this luxurious hotel enjoys a magnificent site, allowing a sense of spaciousness while also being convenient to the city centre - the scale is generous throughout and there are views of the Wicklow Mountains or Dublin Bay from many of the sumptuous suites and guest rooms.

A foyer in the grand tradition is flanked by two bars - the traditional wood-panelled Lobby Bar and the newer Ice, which is deliciously contemporary, and very popular with Dubliners.

Accommodation is predictably luxurious and, with a full range of up-to-the-minute amenities, the air-conditioned rooms are designed to appeal equally to leisure and business guests. A choice of pillows (down and non-allergenic foam) is provided as standard, the large marbled bathrooms have separate bath and shower, and many other desirable features - and there's great emphasis on service, with twice daily housekeeping service, overnight laundry and dry cleaning, one hour pressing and complimentary overnight shoe shine: everything, in short, that the immaculate traveller requires.

But the Spa in the lower level of the hotel is perhaps its most outstanding feature, offering every treatment imaginable - and a naturally lit 14m lap pool and adjacent jacuzzi pool, overlooking an outdoor sunken garden.

Outstanding conference and meeting facilities make the hotel ideal for corporate events, business meetings and parties in groups of anything up to 550.

Conferences/Banqueting (550/450), business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing (on request), broadband wi/fi. Children welcome (under 18s free in parents' room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged).

Rooms 196 (16 suites, 26 junior suites, 178 no-smoking, 13 for disabled). 24 hr room service, Lift, Turndown service. Room rate €315 (max. 3 guests). No SC. Open all year.

Seasons Restaurant:

This spacious, classically-appointed restaurant overlooks a leafy courtyard and no expense has been spared on the traditional 'grand hotel' decor and, whether or not it is to your taste, this is an extremely comfortable restaurant and the service is usually exemplary.

Executive Head Chef Terry White's contemporary international menus have their base in classical French cooking and offer a wide-ranging choice of luxurious dishes, with a considerate guide to dishes suitable for vegetarians, 'healthier fare' and dishes containing nuts.

An unusual speciality dish to try is an Irish scallop tasting, prepared with Parmesan with creamy spicy sauce, jalapeno salsa or natural, with caviar. An extensive hors d'oeuvre buffet of hot and cold dishes has become a favourite feature of late, and a 7-course Tasting Menu is offered.

The standard of cooking is high and, while it may not rival the city's top independent restaurants as a cutting edge dining experience, this is a fine hotel restaurant with outstanding service - and a good pricing policy ensures value for money, given the luxurious surroundings. Sommelier Simon Keegan's excellent wine list includes some very good wines by the glass.

*Informal menus are also available at varying times in The Café (daily), and in Ice Bar (Tue-Sat); Afternoon Tea, served daily in the Lobby Lounge, includes an extensive menu of classic teas and infusions.

Air conditioning. Seats 90 (private room, 12). Breakfast 7-11 daily, L 12.30-2.30 daily, D 6.30-9.30 daily. Set L from €35; á la carte also available D. House wine from €33. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa.

Directions:

Located on the RDS Grounds on corner of Merrion and Simmonscourt Roads.