Top 12 cool and unusual hotels in Dublin 2020

Dublin is the beautiful city of song and poetry and the inspiration to many an author over the years – Beckett, Yeats, Joyce… even the beloved Irish novelist Maeve Binchy put the city in the centre of a wonderful yarn or two. From the manicured St. Stephens Green and the beautiful architecture of Trinity College and Grafton Street to the vibrant nightlife of Temple Bar…history aside, this city still has plenty more to offer! Compact, carefree with a unique heart and soul, Dublin is the perfect spot for a rip-roaring, toe-tapping, Guinness-supping weekend city break, and having spent a few years living in the Irish capital, here is my choice for the best cool, unusual and quirky hotels in Dublin to help you on your way…

The Gibson Hotel – hip contemporary chic

This ultra-modern, glass-clad and exceptionally rated 4-star hotel comes complete with a bamboo shaded courtyard, legendary gourmet food whipped up from fresh local ingredients and arguably the most important, a chic cocktail bar drawing on some cool Asian inspired design. Situated in the cultural heart of the city the Gibson Hotel prides itself on innovative design to maximise relaxation potential, including Japanese copper baths and gorgeous views over the Wicklow mountains. The trendy Dublin hotel offers a number of inclusive deals under its “eat, sleep, play, explore” initiative enabling guests to make the most of the delicious pan Asian cuisine and enviable breakfast spreads. For a hip weekend in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, you can’t go wrong with The Gibson, definitely one of the coolest hotels in Dublin!

• Prices from €90 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Gibson Hotel

The Morgan – gorgeous eclectic boutique

This deluxe boutique beauty is a central city centre gem situated on Fleet Street just inches away from the buzzing nightlife of Temple Bar. The chic urban suites at the highly rated 4-star Morgan Hotel will please any self-respecting glamour puss with their designer twist on comfort. Before heading out on the town it’s worth sampling the comprehensive cocktail menu in the popular Morgan Bar, including the signature cocktail ‘Morgan Bubbles’. You can enjoy tasty food too and listen to some brilliant live music sessions as well as going full party mode if you stay during one of the club’s special events. If you’re after a legendary and beautiful Irish weekend then this is almost certainly the hip Dublin hotel for you!

• Prices from €120 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Morgan

Trinity City Hotel – unique, colourful and trendy

This opulent but quirky Dublin hotel offers a luxurious oasis in the very heart of the city just opposite the historic Trinity College. The 4-star very highly regarded Trinity City Hotel prides itself on its modern chic versus magical vintage feel and it’s unarguably impeccable and striking design. This marrying of the old and the new is reflected in the hotel’s restaurant which offers traditional dishes with a contemporary twist in a choice of beautiful surroundings. The front lounge has panoramic views over Pearse Street, the attractive courtyard garden is a leafy oasis in the middle of the city, perfect for a romantic al fresco meal, and the piano lounge is a great place for a relaxed lunch with friends or business colleagues. Easily one of the trendiest and most interesting hotels in Dublin!

• Prices from €100 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for Trinity City Hotel

The Dean Hotel – hip retro cool

If you love all things hip and fun then this is the place for you! Located in the heart of the Irish capital, rooms at the 4-star highly rated Dean Hotel are kitted out with all the cool stuff a self-respecting hipster could wish for – Irish Modern Art, Marshall amps to connect your gadgets to, loads of vinyl to play on the very cool Rega turntables, Netflix, snacks, a Nespresso machine and a heap of designer goods to keep you both clean, comfortable and rested. This unusual Dublin hotel is serious about food and drink too, from delicious dinners to a tasty cocktail wrapped in a cosy blanket on the rooftop terrace, you can get it all here! It also has the bonus of being the venue for one of Dublin’s coolest nights out as Sophie’s Rooftop Terrace hosts the super laid back ‘Highline’, bringing New York vibes to Dublin every Thursday to Saturday, 11pm ’til late. Raise your glasses as the city twinkles beneath you and be prepared to never want to leave!

• Prices from €90 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Dean Hotel

Number 31 – a beautiful modernist gem

The 4-star exceptionally rated Number 31, is one of the most beloved boltholes in Georgian Dublin City Centre and always seems to top many a review list (including a near perfect rating on Google rating). Design and architecture buffs will love this ultra-friendly guesthouse which cleverly encompasses a classic Georgian townhouse and a stunning modernist mews by Sam Stephenson. The rooms at this quirky Dublin boutique have a cool classy 60’s feel combining bold colours and clean lines with the height of luxury and comfort. Guests can enjoy relaxing in the leafy courtyard and secluded garden or the famous sunken lounge (pictured above) and fortify themselves with what is said to be ‘the best breakfast in Dublin’ all organic of course! All of this is further perfected by the old style Irish charm and hospitality of the attentive staff! A gorgeous and unique Dublin accommodation option.

• Prices from €80 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for Number 31 Dublin

Kelly’s Hotel – cosy, trendy and chic

Small but perfectly formed, this city centre highly-rated Dublin hotel offers visitors a unique ‘house guest experience’ which offer a cosy homely feel yet with a trendy vibe. Stay in one of the 16 rooms at wonderfully eclectic Kelly’s Hotel, each individually designed with chic decor, exposed beams and mod cons, and enjoy yourself as the city unfolds around you. Situated above ‘Hogans Bar’, one of Dublin’s best and most fun night spots, and with instant access to Dublin’s ultra-cool ‘Secret Bar’, Kelly’s is ideal for the traveller who enjoys a bit of fun and mystery! Foodies will also love its close proximity to L’Gueuleton, one of the finest French restaurants in the city and party-goers will love that it’s only a 3-minute walk to Temple Bar. Casual meals are offered in a rustic French bistro and there’s also a third onsite cocktail lounge just to cover all bases!

• Prices from €70 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for Kelly’s Hotel

The Schoolhouse Hotel – unique historical boutique

The walls of this beautiful historic hotel in Dublin (located an 11-minute walk from Merrion Square) have many stories to tell. Once a Victorian School, from its inception in 1859 the unique building has witnessed many an important event unfold, including the 1916 Easter Rising. Each of the 31 individually designed boutique rooms at the highly rated and much loved 4-star Schoolhouse Hotel is dedicated to one of Ireland’s most influential figures. The warm and romantic ambience, as well as the fine cuisine in The Schoolhouse Restaurant, draws travellers from both near and far and the whole hotel benefits from sympathetic design and attention to detail to make your stay as unique and relaxing as can be. Want to step it up a gear at this chic Dublin hotel? Their lively onsite bar which features a vaulted ceiling and an outdoor terrace will not disappoint!

• Prices from €80 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for Schoolhouse Hotel 

The Marker Hotel – a trendy and modern upscale hotel

Rising from the heart of Dublin’s urban docklands and drawing on the elemental nature of the Irish landscape the exceptionally rated 5-star The Marker Hotel is a luxurious retreat for the modern-minded. The visually arresting spaces at this trendsetting Dublin stay include a rooftop terrace with views beyond the urban cityscape and out across the wild mountains and the sea, an infinity pool, 187 flawless rooms of a unique geometric design and a stunning cocktail bar and brasserie. Foodies can enjoy delicious award-winning dishes at this hip and chic Dublin abode with a local focus followed by drinks up on the rooftop terrace whilst taking in the buzz of the city and the peace of the landscape beyond. All this before retiring to a comfortable impeccably designed room with everything you need provided for you and then some…

• Prices from €140 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Marker Hotel

Temple Bar Inn – a stylish boutique in an iconic location

A stylish mid-range boutique hotel nestled in the beating heart of Dublin City – literally in the centre of all the action – the exceptionally rated Temple Bar Inn offers 101 bespoke en-suite rooms ideal for anyone looking for a family trip to shopping adventures and romantic breaks. Many popular tourist sites are close by to this Temple Bar located hotel including the Guinness Storehouse, the National Museum of Ireland, Trinity College, Grafton Street and Dublin Castle. The rooms at this contemporary Dublin abode offer a good standard of decor and mods cons such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and well-stocked mini-fridges to give your Dublin break a good head start! There’s also an onsite funky and colourful restaurant and free access to a nearby gym with an indoor swimming pool. A great choice for an ultra-central hotel! 

• Prices from €100 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for Temple Bar Inn Dublin

The Beacon Hotel – romantic, fun and funky

The 4-star highly rated Beacon Hotel is housed in a striking stone and glass contemporary building in Sandyford, a suburb of Dublin just 10 kilometres away from Dublin Castle. The beautiful boutique hotel combines both design and style with a bit of romance thrown in with a collection of creatively designed rooms. Each of the guest rooms make use of both space and light and showcase contemporary art and designer furniture complete with rainfall shower bathrooms and even super lush free-standing tubs feature in some of the upgraded rooms.

Dinner is served at the onsite My Thai Restaurant which comes with a pretty courtyard and offers a blend of Asian menu choices and there’s also a 24-hour gym and free parking. Weekends at this trendsetting Dublin hotel are never dull as it also has an in-house Crystal Bar where expert mixologists concoct delicious cocktails well into the evening.

• Prices from €85 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Beacon Hotel Dublin

The Morrison – chic and unique luxury

This hip and unique 4-star exceptionally rated DoubleTree by Hilton Dublin hotel is situated on the banks of the River Liffey in Dublin city centre. It’s a popular spot and known throughout Ireland for its chic design and celebrity clientele. As well as beautiful contemporary interiors, you can easily ‘spend all your money on whiskey and beer’ as the Morrison Hotel is close to both the Guinness Brewery and the Jameson distillery and its award-winning Quay 14 bar offers a comprehensive range of whiskeys, craft beers and Irish music-themed cocktails in meticulously designed surroundings. The food on offer in The Morrison Grill takes its inspiration from local culture and stories and uses only the best fresh, homegrown ingredients. For a touch of luxury in the heart of Dublin, this cool hotel is at the top of its game!

• Prices from €140 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Morrison Hotel

The Dylan Hotel – a central upscale beauty

A top luxury hotel in Dublin, the 5-star exceptionally rated Dylan Hotel is located in the city centre only a few minutes from the Grand Canal, Aviva Stadium and National Museum of Dublin. The rooms at this hip and trendy Dublin accommodation are lavish and feature a blend of contemporary and traditional furnishings in keeping with its beautiful Victorian façade. The spacious rooms feature sumptuous beds with top quality linens, free Wi-Fi, Bose iPod docks, flat-screen TVs and even iPods loaded with city walking tours. Opt for an upgrade and expect truly gorgeous Italian hand-carved beds, balconies and opulent marble bathrooms. Foot spas are available on request. Other hotel highlights include a fitness room, an ornate Irish restaurant complete with gilded decor and a hip cocktail bar – a perfect place to treat yourself or a loved one!

• Prices from €180 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Dylan Hotel Dublin

Hampton Hotel – a chic hotel housed in a Georgian building

Housed in a very elegant Georgian building, the 4-star highly rated and very popular Hampton Hotel offers stylish rooms with strong accents against white and black palettes. Each of the contemporary rooms feature a striking interior design and spacious bedrooms with comfy beds, a 42-inch flat screen TVs, WiFi, walk-in showers or trendy free-standing bathtubs. The onsite Bar Bistro with its heated terrace and regular live music is a popular spot and the cool and unique Dublin abode is only 2km from St.Stephen’s Green so it’s location is pretty fabulous too! 

• Prices from €75 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Hampton Hotel

Generator Hostel – trendy budget

If you would rather save your pennies for exploring the city but you’re not willing to slum it either, then Generator Hostel could be the place for you especially if you’re a hipster on a shoestring budget! Situated in the hip Smithfield District of Dublin next to the Jameson distillery, this is a cool and unusual design-led gem of a hostel. With plenty of innovative communal spaces and a room choice for every budget, this is an ideal place to stay if you are travelling alone and want to meet people. It also offers a luxury hot tub room for the ultimate girly weekend and clean comfortable shared rooms for small groups and couples too. Be sure to sample a whisky or two in the super Jameson inspired bar!

• Prices from €25 per night
• To book, check prices or availability for The Generator Hostel

If you enjoyed our collection of cool and unusual hotels in Dublin we also have posts on cool hotels in Amsterdam and hip hotels in London.