North Quays / Ormond Quay

The Morrison Dublin, Curio Collection by Hilton

★★★★★

The Morrison sits on Lower Ormond Quay, on the north bank of the Liffey, and its great asset is its position: right on the river, a few minutes' walk from the Ha'penny Bridge, with Temple Bar directly across the water, O'Connell Street a short stroll east and Christ Church Cathedral less than a kilometre away. It has long been one of Dublin's best-known design hotels and is now part of Hilton's Curio Collection, a group of individual hotels with their own character, which means you get the reliability and loyalty points of a big brand with a distinct personality. The interiors are contemporary and moody, with dark tones, bold art and plenty of polish, and the rooms come with comfortable lounge areas, work desks and smart TVs, while the junior suites and penthouse suites add more space and city views. Downstairs, the Morrison Grill is the main restaurant and is built around a Josper grill, a charcoal oven that reaches very high temperatures and gives steaks, seafood and vegetables a smoky char; the hotel says it was one of the first in Ireland. The bar serves cocktails, a good selection of Irish whiskeys and local craft beers, and Halo, a private dining room, hosts events. There is a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi throughout, and self-parking for a daily fee, which is rare and useful in this part of town. Check-in is from mid-afternoon, check-out at noon, and pets are not allowed. For travellers who want a stylish, central base at a slightly lower price than the south-side grandes dames, it is an excellent choice.

Location detail: the north quays have changed a great deal in recent years, and the stretch around the Morrison is lively, with cafés, bars and the Italian Quarter nearby. Walking west along the river takes you in ten minutes to Smithfield, the Jameson Distillery Bow St. and the Cobblestone pub, while crossing the Millennium or Ha'penny Bridge puts you in Temple Bar in two. Trinity College and Grafton Street are about ten to fifteen minutes on foot, and the Luas red line runs a short walk to the north, linking you to Heuston station, the Guinness Storehouse and the airport bus routes. Dublin Airport is about ten kilometres away.

Living in it: ask for a river-facing room for views of the Liffey and the bridges, which are especially pretty at night when the lights reflect on the water. Rooms on the quay side are livelier, so light sleepers may prefer a room facing away from the street. The Morrison Grill is a good choice for a relaxed dinner without leaving the hotel, and the bar is a pleasant spot for a nightcap after Temple Bar. The hotel is consistently well reviewed by guests, who praise the location and the staff.

Who it suits: couples and friends who want style and a central location at a fair price, Hilton loyalists, and anyone planning a Temple Bar or Smithfield night out who wants to walk home. Families can be accommodated in larger rooms and suites, although the hotel's mood is adult. It is an easy base for a first visit, with nearly every sight in this guide within a twenty-minute walk.