Merrion, Dublin,Luxury,Restaurants,Pool

Created from four elegant Georgian townhouses situated between Merrion Square and St Stephen’s Green, The Merrion offers an unforgettable experience in this vibrant and historical city. With its gracious drawing rooms, luxurious bedrooms with Italian marble bathrooms and crisp linen (the suites have Rococo plasterwork ceilings and magnificent marble fireplaces), guests can re-live the grandeur of a glittering era.

The four Georgian Townhouses were built in the 1760's by Lord Monck (Charles Stanley Monck) for wealthy Irish merchants and nobility. He lived in No. 22, which became known as Monck House and the most important of the four houses was No. 24 Upper Merrion Street. This house was leased to Garrett Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, in 1769 and has since been known as Mornington House and is remembered historically as being the birthplace of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington.

The Restoration of The Merrion demanded the highest standards and the designers' brief was both simple and clear - "To create a space with sensitivity to the 18th century heritage of the building, with light and airy bedrooms." In restoring the four magnificent Georgian townhouses that form The Merrion, no feature is more striking than the magnificent Rococo Stucco plasterwork ceilings. Made from lime and crushed marble, the plaster has been moulded and carved into intricate, opulent designs incorporating flowers, fruit and birds. Restoring the work of the Master Stuccadores of centuries gone-by was overseen by Seamus O'hEocha and took him over six months to complete.

The Merrion Hotel houses a spectacular collection of 19th and 20th Century art which is widely considered to be one of the most important private collections in Ireland. The Merrion's grand interiors offer the perfect backdrop for these works, resulting in a dramatic and successful marriage of classical architecture and contemporary art. The entrance hall of the The Merrion is a stunning with its marble columns and from here one enters the long and elegant drawing room – a peaceful and refined place to take afternoon tea. The Suites in the Main House are absolutely stunning combining the delightful high ceilinged Georgian rooms with the very best and most tasteful furnishings and linens.

One of the most distinctive and unusual features of The Merrion is its two landscaped period gardens, designed by Jim Reynolds the noted Irish landscape artist. The smaller of the two, known as "Lady Mornington's Garden" links The Main House to the Garden Wing. This contemporary wing completes the enclosure of the garden, so that many of the guestrooms enjoy views over the large central garden. Both gardens re-create the feel of an 18th century garden with box hedges, water features, pathways, statuary and obelisks. Many of the classically elegant rooms in the contemporary Garden Wing overlook the box hedges and lush flowerbeds of the landscaped period Gardens.

Ireland's most award winning restaurant, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, is situated in the stunning surroundings of The Merrion Hotel with magnificent views overlooking The Merrion's delightful gardens. Patrick Guilbaud's pursuit of perfection is noticeable in the delicious, immaculately presented dishes prepared from the finest Irish ingredients. Service is equally meticulous, combining efficient French decorum with discreet Irish charm. And perhaps before indulging in a delicious meal here, guests may like to try the The Tethra Spa at The Merrion. This is Dublin's most refined retreat and a place to unwind, restore and to invigorate the body and mind. Surrounded by gentle interiors, technologically advanced fitness equipment, an expansive infinity swimming pool, steam room and luxurious treatment areas The Tethra Spa is well worth a visit.

Outside The Merrion there is, of course, the fantastic city of Dublin with its friendly and fun people, its numerous bars, pubs and restaurants as well as high quality shopping and all manner of historical buildings to visit. A stay at The Merrion cannot be too highly recommended – the welcoming atmosphere, the relaxed environment and the beauty of this refined hotel are astonishing and a delight.