The Merrion is located opposite the Government Buildings and on Upper Merrion Street in Dublin.
The hotel has two wings, the Main House and the Garden Wing.
During
our previous stay a few years ago we had the entrance category room at
the Garden Wing, which was added in the 1990's. The hotel opened in
1997.
For our stay in March 2016 we consciously chose a Deluxe
King Room located at the Main House. The Main House comprises the four
original Georgian buildings from the 18th century.
Lord Monck leased four plots and built houses on all of them.
He
lived in Number 22. It is named after him and has neo-classical Adams
style interiors, while Number 21 has rococo plaster work and a heavy
staircase.
Number 24 was originally leased to Lord Antrim, but he
moved after his own home was ready, and it was instead taken over by
Garret Wellesley, the Earl of Mornington. The building is also known as
Mornington House. The Earl of Mornington was the father of the 1st Duke
of Wellington, who was born in Number 24.
Reception is located at
Monck House. The hotel was already buzzing when we arrived. The bell
captain welcomed us warmly and offered to take our luggage and to bring
us to the check in desk. We were travelling light, so we didn't need
help with our luggage, but accepted to be brought to reception.
We
had to wait a bit, because other guests were checking in. When it was
our turn the formalities were quickly dealt with and we were accompanied
to our room on the second floor. Unfortunately the hotel was very busy
and a late checkout at
2 PM
couldn't be given, but we were offered until 12.30 hours, which we
took. Emma also explained we could use the spa and any other facilities
even after checking out.
We were promised a beautiful room. It
was true. The Deluxe Room felt newly renovated in light colors, mostly
green, white, crème, beige and gold. The two floor to ceiling windows
let in the sunshine and overlooked the courtyard and building site for
the new garden restaurant.
After a short explanation about the features we were left alone.
The
room was large and bright with a seating area, a coffee table, a throne
bed with a Chinese themed throw and night stand lamps, a bench at one
of the windows, a large flat screen TV, an alarm clock with IPod docking
station, a built in wardrobe, luggage rack, writing desk and a
credenza, containing the mini bar.
The matching Chinese theme
continued on the cushions on the sofa and the upholstery of the bench.
We loved the design and the softness of the material used.
The duvet, all towels and bath mats were Merrion branded.
There was a Leading Hotel of World catalogue, where The Merrion is a proud member since opening.
On
the coffee table were different magazines including Vanity Fair, Image,
Social & Personal, a booklet about the artwork at The Merrion and a
coffee table book about artist Roderic O'Conor.
The Merrion's art collection is the largest of any hotel in Ireland and includes a few works by Roderic O'Conor.
Having frequented the hotel many times over the years we recognized most of the artwork and knew where they were located.
The 100 TV channels available were regional and international, including CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC and all Sky Sports channels.
We enjoyed watching golf tournaments from the US and Thailand on Sky Sports.
Bewley's tea and coffee making facilities were hidden in the wardrobe. The china was by Villeroy & Boch.
The
mini bar was stocked with the usual soft drinks, a half bottle of
Ruinart Champagne, other alcoholic beverages, The Merrion Pantry dark
and milk chocolate, other snacks, sweets and some Tethra Spa products by
Espa.
The mixers were 3 Euro (ca. 3.35 USD), soft drinks 3.50
Euro (ca. 3.90 USD), the Ruinart 48 Euro (ca. 53.35 USD), gin, vodka,
rum and whiskey 7 Euro (ca. 7.80 USD), Hennessy 9.50 Euro (ca. 10.60
USD), Remy Martin VSOP 11 Euro (ca. 12.25 USD) and the chocolates 4 Euro
(ca. 4.45 USD) each.
We took both chocolate bars. They were
delicious and when mentioning it at checkout we were told The Merrion
Pantry chocolate is saltier than usual, which was right. We liked the
smooth, creamy texture and full flavor. Now we wished there would be
more of those in the mini bar.
Classic mirrors and artwork by J.B. Yeats completed the room.
A
complimentary large bottle of still water was waiting on the coffee
table. It was replaced during turn down service and another two small
bottles were provided additionally.
The maid offered to clean our water glasses, but we were okay.
The marble bathroom was large with a separate bathtub and shower, a sink, toilet and bidet.
It
had a window, which flooded the bathroom with daylight. Blinds could be
lowered, so that nobody was able to look inside. The amenities were by
Asprey Purple Water and were outstanding.
The hotel offers a shoe cleaning service instead of a shoe shine. We used it and ours were clean and looking like new.
During our stay we used the 24 hour room service for Art Afternoon Tea (review to follow), dinner and breakfast.
Our dinner was smaller and we shared, because the afternoon tea had made us quite full.
It
consisted of two mixed berries smoothies, McConnell's oak smoked salmon
plate with red onion, capers, lemon and brown soda bread, grilled
Monaghan chicken breast with champ mashed potatoes and petit pois a la
Francais and a green apple parfait, transparent apple, olive oil cake
and cinnamon chocolate wafer. It was all high quality, meaning superb
restaurant style quality and delicious.
The bill was 84.50 Euro (ca. 95.25 USD).
The alarm clock had a great feature: The digital time display could be dimmed.
Sleeping
comfort was great and getting out of bed was an issue. The wakeup call
and reminder were delivered punctual and friendly. The staff double
checked if we needed the reminder.
Breakfast the next morning
was a Continental and Healthy choice and a cholesterol free omelette for
both of us with asparagus as an additional item.
The Continental
Breakfast included a choice of tea and coffee, orange juice, bakery
basket, toast, jam and butter, fresh fruit salad and Glenillen yogurt.
The
Healthy Breakfast included choice of tea or coffee, juice of the day,
porridge with skimmed milk and mixed berries, rye bread, carrot bran
muffins, Glenillen yogurt and fresh fruit salad.
The juice of the day, a multivitamin juice, was easily replaced, due to an allergy to apricot and peach.
There
was a slight mistake in the bill - the omelette was charged full price,
even though it should have had only a supplemental charge, when
ordering a set breakfast. The mistake was easily rectified by the
manager.
The correct amount was 69 Euro (ca. 77.80 USD).
After
breakfast we explored the hotel a bit further incl. the beautiful
manicured courtyard gardens in which one can view the beautiful "Ripples
of Ulysses - James Joyce" statue/sculpture by Rowan Gillespie and then
it was already time to pack and check out.
We enjoyed our one
night stay very much and were impressed by the friendly and helpful
staff, the detailed, luxurious Main House Deluxe King Room incl.
bathroom and the excellent food.
Looking forward we would love to try also the Superior Room in the Garden Wing to experience a different room type.
©2016
