Royal Marine Hotel

This majestic landmark hotel dates back to 1828, though it first opened its doors as the Royal Marine Hotel in 1865. Its imposing and elegant facade is awash with Victorian and neo-classical flourishes, from grand Corinthian columns to fine plasterwork and intricately worked wrought-iron railings. Inside, where refined palatial interiors merge with more modern elements, the property is no less impressive. Chandeliers lead the way past a grand staircase into a large, bright and buzzing reception area where the mood is traditional but not stuffy -- both local residents and guests mingle in the lobby's lounge area, relaxing in vintage leather armchairs and sink-into sofas.

The hotel's location is a real selling point -- overlooking Dublin Bay in the Dun Laoghaire seaside suburb of Dublin. Although it's six miles south of the city center, the area is packed with cobbled shopping lanes, museums, restaurants, galleries, a theater, and cinema. Dublin city center is reachable via the DART train line, which is two minutes' walking distance from the hotel, and then a 20-minute journey. Also a few minutes' away is the ferry port, which has a direct ferry route to Holyhead in Wales, taking about an hour and a half.

• The hotel has 228 rooms, the style of which varies from wing to wing -- the hotel has been added to and renovated many times, most recently in 2007. Modern rooms are decorated in tastefully muted tones with contemporary furnishings, while others are more traditional, with tasseled drapes and dark-wood headboards. All rooms include flat-screen interactive TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Beds are topped with hypo-allergenic Egyptian linens, while tiled bathrooms provide wall-mounted hairdryers, walk-in showers, and bathtubs. Most rooms in the front of the hotel have sea views.

The hotel houses a large health club, open to both hotel guests and members, and includes a heated pool and sauna, exercise classes, and a gym -- swimming hats and flip-flops are compulsory. The on-site Sansana Spa also offers a range of beauty and relaxation treatments, as well as access to the Thermal Suite with a selection of steam rooms, flotation chambers, and heated marble beds. The main restaurant has views overlooking the bay and an a la carte menu of Irish-influenced dishes. The hotel has three bars, including Laurel's and Hardy's, named after the comedy duo who stayed at the hotel for 33 days in 1953. Extensive facilities are available for conference and weddings, and on-site parking is free to guests.