Dublin by Area
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The Westin, Dublin
When the Westin Hotels and Resorts Group decided to build a flagship hotel in Dublin, they targeted the historic Allied Irish Bank on College Green, a listed building built in 1863.
The opulent edifices built at the height of Victoria's banking age make for good conversions to pubs, witness The Bank and the Grand Central. The Westin went one better: having purchased the AIB they also took over almost the entire city block it stood on, creating in the process a landmark hotel of elegance and grandeur.
Most of the interior of the Westin Hotel has been completely rebuilt, but in an old-style luxury that tells you the moment you enter its doors that this is the kind of place that exists to serve the traveller of taste (and money). The Mint Bar is a well-designed cellar-bar which has become a popular meeting place due to its calm ambience and top-class service, but pride of place must go to the magnificently preserved and renovated Banking Hall, the hotel's main conference and banqueting room. I was at a wedding there a couple of years ago and in my experience of weddings (many) only the dining hall of the Kings Inns matched it and the two are very similar. (You also have to be a barrister to get into Kings Inns, so the Westin may be your best bet.) In addition, the food in the Westin was exceptional (particularly for a wedding) in imagination and execution.
In terms of location in Dublin the Westin suffers not at all. If you were to choose a compass point from which to strike out across Dublin you'd probably pick exactly that spot between Westmoreland Street, Fleet Street, D'Olier Street and College Green: North (300m) to O'Connell Street, West (50m) to Temple Bar, South (50m) to Trinity College and East (500m) to Tara St DART station, not to mention the docklands and the sea beyond.
Accommodation
Modern rooms, newly built and newly equipped with all that you would expect from a 5-star hotel, the Westin offers a range of choices, from standard rooms to Junior, Deluxe, Library and Presidential suites, including their Guest Office rooms for business travellers. All are air-conditioned, with mini-bar, safe, TV, hairdryer, etc., as well as 24-hour room service.
Facilities
I haven't tried The Exchange or The Atrium restaurants, but if the food I did have in the Westin is anything to go by, expect something special. The Mint bar, as mentioned, may tempt you to stay within the confines of the hotel too often (resist!).
Apart from the food and drink, there's a 24-hour Fitness Center available to all guests (though why they can't spell "centre" is a mystery). There's also a florist, which may come in handy after an evening in The Mint.
For functions and conferences, the Banking Hall is augmented by seven smaller meeting rooms, catering for events of different sizes.
If you can afford to stay in the Westin Hotel, it's one of the very top hotels in Dublin. Even if you're staying elsewhere, drop into The Mint and savour the luxury.
Reservations
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