Is this city centre hotel spa the best in Dublin?

A sister property to Dublin’s Convention Centre, it may be ideal for business trips but is equally well tricked out for a great leisure break in the middle of town. 

Really well connected, a bus from Connolly or Heuston stations will take 20 minutes with a taxi taking half that. 

If you’re coming from the airport, the Dublin Express stops at nearby Wellington Quay.

9/10

Style and design

The exterior evokes a plush office block, with lots of glass and the signature Radisson signage jutting out. 

Inside, a striking Connemara marble staircase is the stand-out feature in the lobby, with floor to ceiling windows and low-hanging lights creating a bright and airy space.

In the Chancery Grill restaurant, there’s plenty of art to grab the eye including a somewhat creepy collection of four images by Lee Ellis entitled Tony’s Terrible Toupee.

8/10

Service

The check-in process is quick and seamless. 

After being asked whether we stayed before (we haven’t) we are given a quick low-down on breakfast times, how to use our keycard to access the lift and more.

We do notice a lack of information about the spa or gym. 

Throughout our stay team members are friendly and attentive, and with a 24-hour front desk, there’s someone there to answer a query at any hour.

8/10

Guest rooms

Our superior bedroom feels very spacious for a city centre hotel. 

A masculine design, it’s all dark browns and greys, black accents and muted lighting. A large picture window looking out on a garden square brings welcome light into the space. 

A chic marble-topped working space faces the window, with comfortable leather chair and plenty of sockets. 

A flat screen TV is mounted to the wall facing the bed, with Netflix and other pairing options. 

In the bathroom, a mounted illuminated vanity mirror is a welcome addition after too many poorly lit hotel bathrooms.

8/10

In-room perks

Guests are supplied with eco-friendly water cartons, alongside a variety of Bewley’s teas, instant coffees, hot chocolate sachets and a coffee machine with Bewley’s pods, with sugars, sweeteners and UHT milk. 

At first, we thought we were without a mini fridge, but it’s tucked behind a cabinet door at the work station. 

In the wardrobe, robes and slippers are a nice touch, along with the usuals; iron and ironing board, hair dryer, safe. 

Extra perks include a shoe horn, mini shoe shine and sewing kit. 

The bathroom is well stocked with soft Elis towels, face cloths and luxury Codage Paris toiletries. 

A vanity kit with cotton ear buds, cotton pads and mini nail file is useful.

8.5/10

On the menu

There are options for all in this busy four-star. A sit-down buffet breakfast has everything you might require from a hot spread alongside cold cuts and cheeses, fresh pastries and smoothies. 

Coffee is from a bog-standard machine, but the Old Town Café a minute’s walk away serves Cloudpicker coffee and pistachio-stuffed mini croissants for €3.

Lunch or a more laid back dinner is available at the Dyflin Bar, along with some creative and tasty cocktails at €12 a pop, a standard price in the fair city these days. Not so fair is the price of coffee — €4.25 for an americano seems excessive.

For a more up-market affair, however, The Chancery Grill is surprisingly impressive and at €45 for three-courses, reasonably priced. Chargrilled Hereford Irish sirloin cooked on a wood-fired asador grill is the best we’ve had outside a steakhouse.
Service is fast and efficient from breakfast through to dinner, even as the bar becomes increasingly busy.

8/10

Activities and amenities

Designed with the business traveller in mind, there’s a well-kitted-out gym, meeting spaces and a lovely working area just behind reception. But the real draw is the spa. 

Billed as an “unparalleled medispa and wellness experience”, it’s the best city centre spa we’ve experienced in Dublin. With wooden floors, high ceilings, white beams and lots of lush plants, there’s a Nordic feel to Velvære, though it’s the French Codage Paris the spa champions.

The thermal suite offers a hydrotherapy pool, Caribbean storm shower, ice fountain and Finnish sauna in a suitably low-lit environment, perfect for resetting the nervous system.

A new partnership with Majken Bech Bailey of Aimsir fame offers bespoke elixirs pre- and post-treatment. Calling them a juice would do Bech-Bailey a great disservice — the pre-treatment Sumac, a 28-hour infusion of sumac, roasted alexanders, aronia and elderberries — tastes more like a red wine than a health shot.

9/10 

Escape notes

Room to improve? Sound proofing was a let-down. During the day, we could hear ambulance sirens and construction work in the bedroom, while at night there was little to distract from the thumping music going on elsewhere in the hotel which prevented any sleep till its conclusion at 2am. 

A diffuser attachment for hairdryers and ghd straighteners would be a nice touch in the spa.

Access for guests with disabilities? The hotel is fully accessible with 13 fully adapted rooms available. 

Family-friendly? Cots available at an additional cost of €45 per night. Children’s meals and kids packs available in restaurants.

Dogs welcome? Service dogs only.

Car chargers? Two electrical vehicle charging points available.

The verdict

• The Radisson Blu Royal
• Golden Lane, Dublin 8, Ireland
• radissonblu.com
• Our rating: 8/10
• The bill: Double rooms from €220 inclusive of breakfast.
• Nicole Glennon was a guest of Radisson Blu Royal Hotel