Two Victorian landmark buildings provided the starting point for this impressive Dublin hotels build, and part of the former Allied Irish Bank was glassed over to create a dramatic lounging area, The Atrium, which has a huge palm tree feature and bedroom windows giving onto it like a courtyard (effective, although rather airless).
The magnificent Banking Hall now makes a stunning conference and banqueting room, and the adjacent Teller Room is an unusual circular boardroom - while the vaults have found a new lease of life as The Mint, a bar with its own access from College Street.
It's an intriguing building, especially for those who remember its former commercial life, and it has many special features including the business traveller's 'Westin Guest Office', designed to combine the efficiency and technology of a modern office with the comfort of a luxurious bedroom, and the so-called 'Heavenly Bed' designed by Westin and 'worlds apart from any other bed'.
For the ultimate in luxury, a split-level penthouse suite has views over Trinity College (and its own private exercise area). Very limited parking (some valet parking available, if arranged at the time of booking accommodation).
Fitness room. Conferences/Banqueting (250/168); business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, broadband wi/fi, laptop sized safes in bedrooms.
Rooms 163 (17 suites, 7 junior suites, 67 executive, 163 no smoking, 19 for disabled, all no smoking). Lift. 24 hour room service. Room rate about €499 (max 2 guests). Children welcome (under 12s free in parents room, but €45 for roll away bed, cot available at no charge, baby sitting arranged, Kid's Club).
The Exchange:
An elegant, spacious room in 1930s style, the restaurant continues the banking theme and, with a welcome emphasis on comfort, it simply oozes luxury. Everything about it, from the classily understated decor in tones of cream and brown to the generous-sized, well-spaced tables and large carver chairs says expensive but worth it.
And, in the Guide's experience, that promise generally follows through onto the plate in Executive Chef John Hickey's well-executed menus - a fairly contemporary style, and confident, unfussy cooking endear this restaurant to visitors and discerning Dublin diners alike.
Fresh seasonal menus are a feature of The Exchange, and friendly service from knowledgeable young waiting staff enhances the dining experience.
Sunday Brunch, which is quite an institution and, like the pre-theatre dinner menu, offers good value.
Seats 60; children welcome; fully wheelchair accessible; L Tue-Fri 12-2pm, D Tue-Sat 6-10pm, Sun Brunch only, 12-4.30pm. 2/3 course Pre-theatre menu €18/22; also a la carte. House wine €30. Closed Mon, L Sat, D Sun. Open all year round. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
