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Review: The Address at Dublin 1

Wed Jun 06 2018

Review: The Address at Dublin 1

Written by: Melanie May

When I was offered the chance to spend the night in a new luxury hotel in Dublin, I jumped at the chance as I don’t often get to check out hotels in my hometown, at least not overnight.

The Address at Dublin 1 may not ring a bell, but I bet the North Star Hotel might. You see, the two hotels share the same premises on Amiens Street in the North city centre and the same owners – the McGettigan Hotel Group.

But the two hotels, whilst sharing the same location, are worlds apart as the Address at Dublin 1 is a shiny new, €15 million luxury hotel. And when I say luxury, I mean it really is lux. Don’t let that plain white exterior fool you. Hidden within is an elegant yet contemporary hotel that from the moment you step through the door, cocoons you from the noisy city centre streets.

Those streets just happen to be the heart of Dublin’s business district and the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), and The Convention Centre as just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, making it an ideal location for the corporate travellers.

Location

The Address at Dublin 1 is possibly the best-located hotel in terms or access to Dublin as it is directly opposite Connolly Train Station, you can see Busáras from the door and the Luas stops just across the street as do plenty of buses. Dublin Airport is only a 15-minute drive through the Port Tunnel, not at rush hour, obviously.

However, even if this hotel was in the middle of nowhere, I still think people would travel to visit it as it is pretty fancy once you get inside.

The reception is large and bathed in soft, warm lighting and easy listening music at calming volumes play. In fact, the whole hotel is very relaxed and quiet.

Facilities

Just off the reception is McGettigan’s Cookhouse and bar. A swish restaurant with a huge bar as well as a huge menu. I really loved how the tables in the restaurant were spaced out. There was loads of space and you didn’t feel like you were on top of the other diners. The food is well priced, and the portions are really decent sizes. I particularly enjoyed the fig and goat’s cheese tart with pomegranate salad and my partner demolished the chicken wings which came smothered in tangy sauce and served with a creamy blue cheese dip.

Beside the restaurant is The Parlour, a super stylish cafe that wouldn’t look out of place in London or New York and certainly looks great on Instagram. Here you can enjoy coffees, healthy breakfasts, lunches and light bites and desserts. The cakes look delicious and I can personally recommend the white chocolate cheesecake.

The Parlour leads to a pretty outdoor area, which is heated and decorated with strings of lights and palm trees. This leads to the very hip looking “The Place” bar where you can sit back, relax and enjoy a gin and tonic, or custom cocktail, or whatever it is you fancy.

But wait, there’s more. Head up to the seventh floor and there is another swish looking residents’ lounge which has complimentary tea, coffee and water all day, complimentary cheese and wine in the evenings and fresh pastries, fruit, and yoghurts in the morning. You can watch the tv here, read the complimentary newspapers and you can sit out on the large, heated balcony and take in the views of the city.

There’s also a really good gym located on the lower ground floor. It is very well equipt with cardio and resistance machines, free weights and a mat area. From the gym, you can access very nice changing rooms with showers and hair dryers as well as a sauna. Guests can use the gym for free. I conveniently forgot my gym gear, so I can’t comment on how well the equipment works; sorry (not sorry at all).

Now, usually, I don’t pay too much attention to hotel facilities as I very rarely spend time in hotels. I am usually out and about exploring the city, but, here in Ireland, where it rains a lot, having something to do whilst you wait for the downpour to stop is a big plus for a hotel. With all the different eating and drinking options, the gym and the sauna, you are sure to find something to keep you occupied. There are also enough separate areas so that you can avoid the rest of your tour group (come on, sometimes you just need a breather), or give your travelling partner some space if needed.

Rooms

In terms of sleeping, there are 72 rooms and suites. I had a suite and I was bowled over when I walked through the door. I just wasn’t expecting the room to be so well designed, furnished and finished. I’d describe it as a haven of comfort and tranquillity with a very modern and contemporary feel. The room was huge too and very light and airy with large windows.

There was a separate seating area with a lovely brown leather sofa, two leather chairs and a glass dining table with four chairs. There was a flat screen tv with loads of channels, a coffee machine, teas and coffees and best of all, complimentary Keogh’s crisps and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, and shortbread biscuits. There was also a small box of complimentary Lily O’Brian’s chocolates left on the bed on top of the Avoca Hand Weaver’s blanket. It was really lovely to see so many Irish products in the room.

Speaking of the bed, it was large, with soft bedding and a great mattress. There is even a pillow menu, so you can choose the pillow of your dreams.

All rooms feature automated curtains and floor sensor lighting that lowers brightness levels to help guide guests around their room in darkness. There are plenty of plugs and USB ports by the beds, always handy and there is air-con too.

The bathroom was large and bright and had two sinks, a deep and spotlessly clean bath, a great shower with plenty of hot water and good pressure as well as toiletries and a good hairdryer, plenty of white fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers too.

I really couldn’t fault the room, its features, amenities, fit or finish.

However, whilst the hotel did provide a bottle of water for the room there were no soft drinks in the mini bar and when my partner when down to reception at midnight all the bars were closed and there was a bit of a fuss trying to get a soft drink and paying cash for it instead of charging it to the room. But I’m sure it would probably have been more straightforward had we just ordered it to the room.

Also, our room was right by, and I mean practically on top of the train tracks. You could hear the trains go by, but they stop at around midnight. For me, this isn’t a problem. I am a heavy sleeper, but for those who are light sleepers, you might want to ask for a room away from the trains. I have no idea what time they start running as the trains didn’t wake me up.

Breakfast

In the morning, breakfast is served in yet another room. This room is actually part of the North Star Hotel and it is, yet again, a very nicely decorated room with a lovely relaxing vibe. The perfect way to start your day. Breakfast is a good selection of cereals, bread, pastries, gluten-free options, fruit, yoghurts, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and a hot buffet. There is even a pancake machine that churns out perfectly cooked pancakes in just a matter of moments.

My only gripe with the breakfast is that the only coffee served is filter coffee. I was a little surprised when I asked for a cappuccino and I was told that they don’t do them. Just one floor up is The Parlour cafe where there is a coffee machine. There was really no excuse for not getting me a coffee from there. I love nothing more than starting my day with a good coffee.

Overall, The Address at Dublin 1 is a wonderful addition to the Dublin hotel scene especially on the North side of the city. It is a wonderful place to relax, unwind and get a good night’s sleep. There are plenty of places to eat, drink and chill out and it is probably the best-connected hotel in Dublin in terms of transport links.

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