The Best Hotels in Dublin for 2023
It could be argued that, when it comes to Dublin’s hotel scene, not much changes. However, would we want it any other way? The Shelbourne (No. 3) watches over St. Stephen’s Green, just as it did when it opened two centuries ago. The four 18th-century townhouses that make up The Merrion (No. 2) still envelop visitors with Georgian stateliness. Moreover, even The Fitzwilliam (No. 4), the youngest hotel on our list, is 25 years old this year.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were rated on the criteria below:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
What Readers Loved
Dublin’s hotels may be venerable institutions, but that doesn’t mean they’re stuck in a rut. Take the Art Afternoon Tea at The Merrion, with pastries inspired by the works of famous Irish artists. “Creative and delicious—one of my favorite teas ever,” writes one reader. Furthermore, The Fitzwilliam’s “Dublin by Design” offers a guided tour of the city’s most fashionable indie retailers. While these properties are steeped in history, they keep their focus firmly on modern guest experiences.
The Winner
The Westbury
Part of the Irish-owned Doyle Collection, this five-star property couldn’t have a more prime location: The Westbury is located just off busy Grafton Street, and a short walk from Trinity College and St. Stephen’s Green. Our readers were impressed by the superb service. “Unbelievably kind and memorable team members are always willing to go that extra mile for guests,” wrote one traveler. “The friendly staff get to know you very quickly. A reservation at an exclusive restaurant was made possible for us by the concierge.”
The Full List
1. The Westbury
Reader Score: 95.83
2. The Merrion
Reader Score: 93.74
3. The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Reader Score: 92.70
4. The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin
Reader Score: 89.60
Reader Score: 81.05