Docklands / Grand Canal Dock

The Marker Hotel

★★★★★

The Marker is Dublin's statement modern hotel, a striking building on Grand Canal Square in the regenerated Docklands, where glass offices, apartments and theatres have replaced the warehouses of the old port. Its chequerboard facade faces the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre across a square lit at night by red light-sticks, and inside the mood is contemporary and sophisticated, with a dramatic lobby, angular forms and Irish design details. There are 187 rooms across six types, from deluxe and superior rooms to corner suites, luxury one-bedroom suites and a presidential suite, many with views over the water of Grand Canal Dock or across the city. The big draws are the leisure facilities, which are among the best in any Dublin hotel. The spa has a 23-metre infinity pool, a eucalyptus steam room, a sauna and a Jacuzzi, all complimentary for hotel guests along with the gym, and treatments are available at extra cost. On the roof, the Rooftop Bar and Terrace opens seasonally, weather permitting, with sweeping views across the Docklands, the Dublin Mountains and the bay; it is one of the city's most sought-after summer spots, and residents get priority. The hotel's restaurant and bars serve modern Irish food built on local ingredients. Eight rooms are wheelchair-accessible and eleven are interconnecting, and valet parking can be pre-booked for a nightly fee. It is a superb choice for couples, theatre-goers and anyone who wants a pool in the city.

Location, honestly: the Docklands are a modern, fairly business-like district rather than historic Dublin, and Grafton Street and O'Connell Street are each about a twenty- to twenty-five-minute walk away. For some travellers that is a drawback; for others it is a pleasure, because the walk along the quays or the Grand Canal is lovely, and the area is calm at night. The DART station at Grand Canal Dock is a short walk away, giving fast access to Howth, the coast and the south suburbs, and Luas and buses connect to the centre. Taxis to the airport take about twenty minutes outside rush hour.

Living in it: rooms are spacious by Dublin standards, with clean contemporary design, comfortable beds and good bathrooms, and the corner suites are especially light-filled. Check-in is mid-afternoon and check-out at noon, with a complimentary late check-out until one o'clock when available. Guests under sixteen cannot use the spa's steam room, sauna or Jacuzzi, but families can enjoy the pool, and interconnecting rooms make it a practical choice for families who want five-star facilities.

Who it suits: couples looking for a stylish, modern stay with a pool and a rooftop; theatre-goers attending shows at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre next door; families who want space and a pool; and business travellers working in the Docklands' tech and finance district. Travellers whose priority is walking to Trinity, Temple Bar and the cathedrals in minutes may prefer a hotel closer to the old city. Rates are high, peaking when big shows and concerts are on.