The Liberties

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

★★★★★

Hyatt Centric The Liberties is the best-placed modern mid-range hotel for travellers who want to explore historic Dublin on foot. It stands in the Liberties, the old district outside the medieval city walls that grew up around brewing, distilling and weaving, and it is within a block of St Patrick's Cathedral, which many of its rooms face. Hyatt's Centric brand is designed for curious travellers who want to be in the heart of things, and the hotel reflects that with bright, contemporary design, neighbourhood references and staff ready with local tips. There are 234 rooms, from compact but well-designed deluxe rooms to rooms with views of the cathedral and a selection of suites. All are designed for comfort, with good beds and a contemporary, uncluttered look. The hotel has a restaurant and bar serving all-day dining and a menu of house cocktails created by its resident mixologist, and a fitness centre with round-the-clock access to cardio machines and free weights, booked in advance. The location is the reason to stay. St Patrick's Cathedral is around the corner, Christ Church and the medieval city are ten minutes' walk, and the Guinness Storehouse is an easy stroll west through the Liberties. The neighbourhood is home to a cluster of new distilleries, including Teeling, Roe and Co and Pearse Lyons, as well as vintage shops, markets and good-value restaurants. Grafton Street and Temple Bar are a fifteen-minute walk.

Why the Liberties: for years visitors overlooked this part of the city, but it has become one of Dublin's most interesting areas, mixing old red-brick Iveagh Trust housing, street markets and traditional pubs with new distilleries, cafés and restaurants. Staying here puts you in the middle of a real neighbourhood with a strong sense of Dublin identity, while still being a short walk from the main sights. It also makes the big west-side attractions easy: the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol and the Irish Museum of Modern Art are all reachable on foot or by a short bus ride, so you can do them early before the crowds arrive.

Living in it: rooms are modern and practical rather than large, and the cathedral-view rooms are worth requesting for the sight of the spire lit at night. The hotel is well run and consistently well reviewed for cleanliness, comfort and helpful staff, and it is a good choice for both short city breaks and longer stays. Breakfast and drinks are available on site, though the surrounding streets offer plenty of cafés and pubs worth exploring.

Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to walk to the cathedrals, the Storehouse and the old city; couples and friends looking for good value without sacrificing comfort; whiskey lovers who want to tour the Liberties distilleries; and families who want a calmer area than Temple Bar. Travellers who want to be steps from Grafton Street's shopping or the Georgian squares may prefer a south-side hotel, but the walk is easy. Rates are generally moderate for central Dublin, rising for big weekends and events.