The Fitzwilliam Hotel stands on St Stephen's Green, the largest and best-loved of Dublin's Georgian squares, and its address is the main reason to choose it. From the front door you can step into the park, walk to the top of Grafton Street in a couple of minutes and reach Trinity College, the National Museum and the National Gallery on foot in under fifteen. The hotel is a modern, design-led property rather than a period piece, which makes it a useful contrast with its heritage neighbours on the Green: the rooms are contemporary, with clean lines and generous windows, and the public spaces are designed for people who want a calm base rather than a grand theatre of marble and chandeliers. Rooms facing the Green offer treetop views over the park, which are especially lovely in spring when the trees are in leaf and in autumn when the colours turn, while rooms at the back are quieter. There is a restaurant and bar on site for breakfast and relaxed meals, though facilities and opening patterns change, so check when you book. For anyone who wants to spend their time on foot, with museums in the morning and Grafton Street cafes in the afternoon, the position is hard to beat.
Location, honestly
The Green is quiet at night compared with Temple Bar, yet the side streets off Grafton Street, Drury Street and South William Street are a few minutes away and give you a lively choice of restaurants, cocktail bars and traditional pubs. Luas trams stop at the top of Grafton Street, which makes the green line a simple way to reach the south suburbs or the north side, and the airport bus services run to central stops within a short walk.
Because the hotel is in the centre, expect some city noise, and ask for a room on a higher floor or at the back if you are a light sleeper. As in all of central Dublin, rates climb on rugby weekends, concert nights and in the run-up to Christmas, so book early for those dates.
Living in it
Bedrooms are designed around comfort and light, and a Green view is worth requesting when you book, though views cannot be guaranteed. Bathrooms are modern and well laid out. The best use of the hotel is as a base for walking days, so pack comfortable shoes and use the front desk for restaurant reservations, which can be tight in the evenings in a popular city centre.
Check facilities such as parking, gym access and breakfast details when you book, because Dublin city hotels vary widely in what is included and what costs extra, and parking in the centre is limited and expensive.
Who it suits
Couples who want to walk everywhere, first-time visitors who prefer a central base, culture-minded travellers who plan to spend their days at museums and galleries, and anyone who values a green outlook in a city centre. It is less suited to travellers who want a large resort-style property with a pool, or to those who prefer the nightlife of Temple Bar on their doorstep, for whom the Clarence or Fleet Street Hotel will be a better fit.
For a grander and more traditional stay on the same square, look at the Shelbourne, while the Fitzwilliam offers a quieter modern alternative on the same Green. Pair your stay with a morning at MoLI, the Little Museum of Dublin and Trinity College, all within walking distance.
Why stay here
- ✓Faces St Stephen Green
- ✓Steps from Grafton Street
- ✓Contemporary design
- ✓Green-view rooms available
- ✓Restaurant and bar on site
- ✓Walk to Trinity College
- ✓Luas stop nearby
- ✓Central city-break base
Good questions
How close is The Fitzwilliam to Grafton Street?+
Very close. It stands on St Stephen's Green, and the top of Grafton Street is a short walk away, with Trinity College about ten to fifteen minutes on foot.
Can I get a room with a view of the Green?+
Green-facing rooms are available, but views cannot be guaranteed. Request one when you book and ask for confirmation closer to your stay.
Is it a good base without a car?+
Yes. Museums, shops and restaurants are within walking distance and Luas and bus services are nearby. Parking in the centre is limited and expensive, so check options when you book.
