The location of the Westin Dublin is excellent right in the middle of the action downtown. We took the AirCoach from the airport (€7 oneway), which dropped us at Grafton Street just down a ways from the hotel. The hotel is right on the street level, on Westmoreland, and was formerly a bank. Lots of bus transit options are available from the doorstep, although we prefer walking in towns like Dublin. You could not ask for better location with Grafton Street, Temple Bar and Trinity College within a stone's throw of the Westin Dublin's front door.

As a Platinum-carrying Starwood Preferred Guest member, I was upgraded to a deluxe suite even before I arrived! This was the forebearing of good tidings. We were welcomed with a smile at the front desk and offered wine as the Platinum Amenity. We were escorted to the elevator and again welcomed to the hotel. From there, service maintained a consistently high level of attentiveness and professionalism. For example, when I asked advice to get to the airport for a very early flight, she offered breakfast outside my door by 5AM (even a choice of breakfast!) and gladly arranged a cab to take me to the airport immediately afterwards. When we would run into staff in the elevator or the lobby, they would smile and ask how our stay was, clearly with the intention offering to help if we needed anything. We felt absolutely taken care of during our time in Dublin, and not in an overbearing sort of way.

The suite was enormous, with a large sitting room and bedroom, as well as a "library" loft area. It was decorated in dark woods and rich, old world European designs. Heavy curtains blocked the light out from the room. There were paintings of famous Irishmen on the walls, and I think the name of our suite was even an Irish name of some sort. The view from the suite was disappointing, in fact, I could not see out the window without standing on the staircase. Not a big deal since we were not planning to spend much time in the room anyway, but if this were not a two-level suite, we would have felt somewhat clausterphobic, I think. The bed was a Westin Heavenly Bed, and the housekeeping service kept the room neat during the stay. Everything was well-maintained and classic. Newspapers were delivered every morning.

There is no free internet available in the Westin that I could tell, and it cost a pretty penny (just under €30) for 24 hours access. The gym in the hotel is relatively small, but then again this is Europe.

We grabbed drinks one evening at the Mint bar downstairs. It was expensive, crowded and service was lackluster. We preferred to visit the Temple Bar area which is just across the street from the Westin. Meals at the hotel, including breakfast, were relatively overpriced, so we did not often indulge (with the exception of the early breakfast service the day of our departure). The Concierge was very knowledgable about the area and directed us to some fantastic restaurants, including One Pico, a "modern" Irish restaurant. The prices were moderate and we enjoyed crab creme brulee, duck confit with fig tatin and potatoes. My wife had a veal fillet with spinach and truffle mash. I highly recommend this place. The Concierge remembered our names and dropped us suggestions a few times as we passed by the desk, including getting us some seats at the Abbey Theatre.

This hotel has set a high standard for other Westin hotels to follow, certainly in Europe! I hope they keep it up. It's a gem that I will return to gladly if we're ever through Dublin again.

Review by techman.

Posted at June 18, 2006 11:57 AM