The Marker Hotel 🏨 Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪
An urban retreat for those who crave luxury.
Let’s be clear; I am NOT a luxury hotel guy. Far from it. In fact, when planning an already-expensive overseas experience, a fancy hotel is probably the last thing that I’m willing to splurge on. This trip was a little different, though; having stayed in the cramped, super-budget easyHotel in London for the previous 5 nights, I decided to treat myself in Dublin to what became my first ever 5-star hotel experience.
The Marker's design draws upon the elemental nature of the Irish landscape, combined with a sleek, urban aesthetic.
A member of the ultra-exclusive Leading Hotels of the World®– a global collection of luxury hotels – the Marker Hotel is among Dublin’s most visually captivating landmarks. Completed in 2013, the property is located on Grand Canal Square in the heart of a vibrant, upscale cultural hub known as the Docklands.
Designed by American landscape architect Martha Schwartz, Grand Canal Square is among the most innovative landscape design projects ever untaken in Ireland.
The Rooftop Bar & Terrace provides 360°views of the city, serving lunch, cocktails, and dinner. I especially enjoyed the unique blend of indoor and outdoor space, and the mix of areas that were both intimate and social.
The Rooftop Bar & Terrace offers what might just be the best views in Dublin.
If the weather doesn’t allow you to enjoy the rooftop, the stunning ground floor Brasserie is worth a visit. It is without a doubt among the best hotel restaurants in Dublin, with its location across the plaza from the Bord Gais Energy Theater making it the perfect destination for a pre-theater dinner.
The Brasserie provides foodies with a relaxed dining experience and pre-theatre menus of 2-3 courses.
The Marker Bar, also located on the ground floor, offers a gastro pub style all-day menu, as well as a handful of healthy offerings that align with their clean eating initiative.
The Marker Bar's design, inspired by urban minimalism, lends itself to a fresh, modern, and laid-back atmosphere.
I’ve mentioned that I’m not a luxury hotel guy, and I’m certainly not a spa guy either, but the 23-meter infinity pool, generously sized jacuzzi, and steam room infused with eucalyptus are not to be missed. I’m told that they have a gym as well……but who cares?!
The Marker's indoor infinity pool.
The rooms are probably what you’d expect from a 5-star hotel – clean, bright, spacious, and contemporary, with lime green accents. The bathroom was perhaps the most luxurious that I’d ever experienced; it had a heated floor, rainforest shower, and enormous soaking tub that was able to accommodate all 6’3” of me – a rarity with tubs.
The Marker's guest rooms are clean, bright, and spacious.
Ahhhhhhhh.......