A Comfortable Retreat for Business or Pleasure

Immediately upon entering our room at the Mespil Hotel, we knew we were welcome. The greeting was hard to miss, coming in the form of a platter of dainty petit fours, and a chocolate, “Welcome,” written in flowing script directly on the plate’s surface.

A Warm Welcome from the Mespil Hotel (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)

It was late afternoon on the first day of a four-day post-TBEX (Travel Bloggers Exchange) FAM (familiarization) trip to Dublin. Simon, Otto and I left Killarney that morning with our fellow travel bloggers, and had been on the go since our arrival. We were given a few minutes to drop off our luggage and freshen up before heading out again. During this brief interlude, we came to realize that the Mespil’s combination of comfort and functionality would be the ideal counterpoint to the days of activity, learning and entertainment to come.

The Hotel

Located about one mile from Dublin’s City Center, the 245-room Mespil Hotel is a 4 star bastion of old fashioned friendly service housed in a modern building. The structure gleams with a generous proportion of glass on the exterior, and subsequently, copious amounts of natural light graces the interior.

The lobby was bright and airy, and decorated in muted colors. Groupings of armchairs encouraged cozy conversation. I have to confess, though, the highlight for this southern gal was the iced green tea with lime available as a complimentary refresher.

The Lock Four – named for the hotel’s location on the ‘fourth lock’ of the Grand Canal – was a long rectangular dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows comprising an entire wall. Although the restaurant served breakfast, lunch and dinner, the only meals we had a chance to enjoy at the Mespil consisted of tasty offerings from the extensive hot and cold breakfast buffet. Everything was deliciously prepared, but the item I couldn’t resist was grilled tomato with cheese. Now how did they know this was one of my favorite combinations?

Lock Four on the Grand Canal, Dublin – Directly Across the Street from the Mespil Hotel (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)

The Mespil also offers a casual, quiet spot where guests could gather for a cocktail, light meal or snack, tea or coffee and pastries.

Our Room

Once we were able to tear our attention away from the plate of goodies on the small round table, we took stock of our space for the next four nights.

View of a Room at the Mespil Hotel (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)

The room was spacious with a large window completely taking up one wall. The furniture – desk/work station, table, night tables, shelves and TV cabinet – were in a light wood, adding a simple, classy effect.

Expansive Window in Our Room at the Mespil Hotel (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)

The queen-size bed was blissfully comfortable, and provided us with much-needed, uninterrupted sleep. A recessed shelf held an electric kettle and tea-making supplies with a small refrigerator underneath. The bathroom featured a walk-in shower. These, and other touches made for a most pleasant stay, and one we would not hesitate to repeat when next in Dublin.

If You Go

Around the corner from the Mespil Hotel is Baggot Street , where you will find all the essentials: pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, a bank and the local post office. The trendier shops, eateries and drinkeries, as well as attractions such as Aviva Stadium, Grafton Street, Temple Bar, Trinity College, Ballsbridge and the National Concert Hall, are also within close proximity.

For a bit of outdoor tranquility in the heart of busy, bustling Dublin, St. Stephen’s Green is a mere 15 to 20 minute walk from the Mespil Hotel. This Victorian public park is well-known and loved throughout Ireland, and features 22 acres of meticulously maintained trees, shrubs and colorful seasonal plantings surrounding over 2.1 miles of wheelchair accessible pathways. Add a waterfall, Pulham rock work, an ornamental lake with water fowl, a playground for the little ones, a blind-friendly garden, as well as touchable sculptures scattered throughout the park, and you have the makings of a pleasurable outing for the entire family.

Statues Near One of the Entrances to St. Stephen’s Green (©simon@myeclecticimages.com)

Easy access to all of Dublin’s many remarkable attractions is available via public and private transportation systems. Dublin Bus and Luas Tram are less than 10 minutes from the Mespil on foot. Be aware you will need exact change, tickets or a LEAP Card to ride. A taxi stand can be found outside the hotel, as well as a pick-up point for the Dublin Bus Tours Hop-on-Hop-off bus. And a bicycle station is only a 2-minute walk from the Mespil’s front door. This is just a sample of the transportation options available to you in the vicinity of the Mespil.

Amenities

• Excellent complimentary wifi
• Concierge service
• A 24-hour business centre, located on the 4th Floor, offering PC desktops, printers and high speed internet access.
• Two meeting rooms
• Fitness rooms
• Wheelchair accessible
• Limited complimentary parking available for hotel guests on a first come, first served basis

Mespil Hotel
50 – 60 Mespil Road
Dublin 4, D04 E7N2
Ireland

+353 1 488 4600
mespil@leehotels.com
https://www.mespilhotel.com

Disclaimer: During our 4-day Post-TBEX visit to Dublin, we were generously hosted by Failte Ireland. However, all opinions, as always, are entirely my own.