Hotel review: The Westbury, Dublin

Oh, how I love a wee jaunt to Ireland. Living in Glasgow, Scotland, travelling to Ireland is very convenient thanks to daily flights and with a flight length of just over an hour, it couldn't be easier. Add to that the fact that  welcoming and friendly nature of the Irish, and you're pretty much guaranteed a fabulous time.

For our latest Irish escape, we booked a stay at The Westbury, a five star boutique hotel, which is a part of the Doyle Collection.

The vibe and location
Located in the heart of the city, just off the main shopping hub on Grafton Street, the place is absolutely buzzing. The hotel is very central; St Stephens Park is a stone’s throw away - perfect for a bit of chill time - or, if you're seeking something more lively, you can hit the pub & restaurant scene, which are also a short walk from the hotel.  Shoppers will love Grafton Street, a shopping mecca. Alternatively, if you're looking to buy something that will remind you of your time in Ireland, you can head over to the Powerscourt Centre, where you'll find a selection of boutiques which stock unique Irish designs.

The Rooms
Voted 'Best Hotel in Ireland' in the Conde Nast Traveller Awards 2019 Reader's Choice Awards, the Westbury is the epitome of a grand boutique hotel. From the minute you enter the hotel, the attentive and friendly reception staff put you at ease straight away.

All of the rooms have all recently been refurbed and I was lucky to be upgraded to a luxury studio suite, located on the sixth floor. The room was lovely; it had a large lounge and dining area and was furnished with original Irish artworks and trendy minimalist furniture.  I loved the spacious marble-clad ensuite, which was quite flashy with one wall consisting of just mirrors, however, the piece de resistance was the king size four-poster bed, which was so comfy I didn’t want to leave! ​

Food & Drink
The hotel has two bars and two restaurants. Balfes Bar & Brassiere is located on the ground floor of the hotel on Balfe Street, and you have the option of dining al fresco or indoors; we opted for a seat perched indoors at the bar.

Balfes is very reminiscent of a trendy French bistro. It was a Thursday night and the place had a great buzzy atmosphere. We weren’t too hungry, so decided to have just the one course of gamberoni in a delicious garlic and tomato sauce, which we washed down with some chilled Perrier Jouet. After a wee bite to eat, we headed to the first floor and looked in on Sidecar, the bar next to the reception, it was packed so decided to give it a miss, and retire to the suite.

After a good night's sleep, we looked forward to breakfast, which is served in Wilde.  The central design ethos fuses 1930s elegance with an abundance of greenery, giving guests the sense of alfresco dining. It is very luxurious and my fellow diners looked like they had just stepped out of the pages of a high-end magazine. After a hearty Irish breakfast, sadly t was time for me to depart.
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The Verdict
The Westbury is perfectly located to enjoy everything Dublin city has to offer. From the moment you arrive, the staff are friendly and attentive.

The details 
The Westbury
Balfe St
Dublin 2
D02 CH66
Ireland

Best bits: The central location and the staff who go out of their way to ensure you have a memorable stay.
Worst bits: Having to leave!
Most suited for: Couples looking for a stylish weekend in Dublin

Raj Gill 
*During my stay, I was hosted by the lovely team at The Westbury. All opinions are my own. Photographs courtesy of The Westbury. 

Our experience overall 
The property:                                 ★★★★
Ambiance:                                      ★★★★★
Food & drink:                                 ★★★★
Staff friendliness/attentiveness: ★★★★★