The Clarence is one of Dublin's best-known boutique hotels, standing on Wellington Quay on the south bank of the Liffey, at the edge of Temple Bar. It is long associated with U2, whose members were involved with the hotel for years, and that history has given the building a particular cultural weight in the city. The position is its great asset: the Ha'penny Bridge is a few steps away, Temple Bar's pubs and music venues are on the doorstep, and Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and Trinity College are all within a short walk. The hotel is a place where visitors who want to be at the centre of the city's evenings can step out of the door and be in the middle of it, then retreat to a refined room above the noise. Public spaces include a restaurant and bar that draw locals as well as guests, so the lobby has a lively, urban feel. Rooms are designed in a stylish, understated way, and several overlook the river, which gives a view of the quays and bridges. Check facilities, room types and current restaurant arrangements when you book, as these change over time.
Location, honestly
Temple Bar is the most animated and the most touristy district in Dublin. It is wonderful for music, pubs and people-watching, and it can be loud, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, when crowds fill the streets until the early hours. Ask for a higher floor or a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper, and bring earplugs as a precaution.
During the day the district is quieter and more pleasant, with independent shops, cafes and the Ha'penny Bridge close by, and you can easily walk to the National Museum, Grafton Street and the cathedrals. Prices in this area are higher than in some other parts of the city, particularly at weekends and during events.
Living in it
Rooms are a pleasant blend of modern comfort and a boutique feel, with good bedding and well-equipped bathrooms. A river view is a highlight, though not every room has one, so request one when you book. The hotel's bars and restaurants are popular with non-residents, which means the lobby and public areas can be busy at weekends, and booking a table for dinner or tea ahead of time is wise.
The reception and concierge teams are used to guiding visitors through the district and can advise on live music, quiet corners and restaurant bookings. Check the details of parking, breakfast and accessibility when you book, as city-centre hotels vary.
Who it suits
Couples and friends who want a lively city break, music fans who plan to spend evenings in sessions and venues, and travellers who like a hotel with some character and cultural history. It is less suited to families with young children who need early nights, or to light sleepers who dislike noise, who may prefer a quieter base such as the Fitzwilliam on St Stephen's Green or a hotel in Ballsbridge. Pair your stay with a traditional music pub crawl that starts a few minutes away, a morning at the Irish Whiskey Museum and a walk across the Ha'penny Bridge to the north side for the GPO Museum and the quays.
Why stay here
- ✓Liffey-side Temple Bar location
- ✓Steps from the Ha penny Bridge
- ✓Boutique rooms
- ✓River-view rooms available
- ✓Restaurant and bar on site
- ✓Walk to Dublin Castle area
- ✓Close to live music venues
- ✓Long link with U2
Good questions
Is The Clarence noisy?+
Temple Bar is lively at night, especially on weekends. Ask for a higher floor or a room away from the street if you want quiet, and bring earplugs as a precaution.
Can I see the river from my room?+
Some rooms overlook the Liffey. Request a river view when you book, though it cannot be guaranteed.
What can I walk to from the hotel?+
The Ha'penny Bridge, Temple Bar's pubs and music venues, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College and Grafton Street are all within a short walk.
