A City Break in the heart of Dublin
I can see The Jeanie Johnson Famine Ship from my hotel room. It’s a poignant reminder of how Dublin’s Docklands have changed dramatically over the centuries. The dreary warehouses are no longer central to the quays, once lined with barrels and crates! Instead of sailors and dockers, business professionals rush around the bustling offices that run along the quays to the IFSC. The old ale houses are replaced with trendy bars like Urban Brewing in the CHQ and restaurants that play a pivotal role in entertainment in the area.
A stone’s throw away the foyer of the Spencer Hotel is a relaxing oasis of modern comfort with an enviable selection of amenities, most notably an eighteen meter swimming pool, a feature missing from many city centre hotels. The pool is attached to a working leisure centre and gymnasium and guests have the option of taking part in many of the varied exercise classes on offer.
East restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel offers an eclectic mix of flavours fused with eastern influences. Tiger prawns and scallops made the start of our dining experience special and our charming waiter, who was half Spanish and Moroccan, entertained us right up to the our desserts. With a huge selection of cocktails to choose from in the bar it is a one stop shop for anyone looking to chill for the duration of their stay.
Getting to The Spencer Hotel is easy as it’s conveniently next to the Luas and the Dart at Connelly Station. After a recent refurbishment now is an ideal time to explore this central hotel. Whichever room type you choose air conditioning, mineral water and a Nespresso machine all feature as standard.
We stayed on a Friday night and set off next morning to explore the docklands. An important museum that offers rotating exhibitions is nearby at EPIC – the idea that Every Person Is Connected is something we Irish can relate to, especially when we meet Diaspora around the world on our travels. The current exhibition explores the connections between Ireland and India and opened on July 23rd. Looking East celebrates the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations and includes stories of the Irish Soldiers who fought for the British in India and the historical struggles shared by our two countries. It runs until November 19th and is well worth a visit. www.epicchq.com
Fans of modern architecture can enjoy the genius of Santiago Calatrava, designer of the Samuel Beckett Bridge, the iconic landmark inspired by the national symbol of Ireland, The Harp. Crossing the bridge opens the gateway to a selection of popular pubs and restaurants at Grand Canal Dock and of course the Bord Gais Energy Theatre where the musical Wicked is currently showing until September 14th.
The hop on hop off bus tour stops outside the Spencer Hotel making it ideal for visitors who want to explore Dublin by bus to get their bearings. It’s also perfect for concert goers with The 3 Arena a short stroll away. Our stay was a busman’s holiday but the exciting thing about visiting the capital city this time of year is the variety of things to do and see. Getting the right place to stay in Dublin is made simple at the Spencer Hotel.
Factbox
Book your stay now and enjoy 20% off room only rates from €160. Book directly on www.spencerhotel.com or call 01 433 8800.
