Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland | (888) 710-7049
Beautiful, historic castle with contemporary touches throughout
Short scenic drive from Dublin city center; easy access to countryside and coast
Lovely rooms with with rich traditional furnishings and 55-inch flat-screen TVs
Fine-dining restaurant with locally sourced fare, plus a cozy bar and chic lounge
Large conference and special-event facilities
24-hour room service available
Small fitness and business centers
Guides available for tours of hotel's impressive art collection
Ample parking and free Wi-Fi throughout
Wi-Fi is patchy in areas
Location not in city center
Clontarf Castle Hotel is a striking property in a castle dating to the 12th century. The location will be a hit with those hoping to explore Dublin itself (a 10-minute scenic drive away) and the nearby Irish countryside and coast. The hotel expertly mixes old and new, with contemporary flourishes bringing a sense of fun and informality to the medieval environment. All of the plush rooms and suites have 55-inch flat-screen TVs, pillow-topped beds, and free water; some have four-poster beds and clawfoot tubs. Guests looking for a historic property in Dublin's city center could try O'Neills Victorian Pub & Townhouse, located in a building that dates to 1850 and served as a hideout for Irish revolutionaries during the War of Independence.
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Scene
Historic castle hotel that mixes medieval and modern
The Clontarf Castle Hotel has a rich sense of history -- it was built on the site of the famous 1014 Battle of Clontarf and the original castle dates to 1172. The exterior is impressive and imposing, mixing its medieval foundation (rebuilt in 1837) with sleek, contemporary architecture. This old/new mix continues in the magnificent lobby where exposed stone castle walls from the 12th century meet a contemporary glass-and-metal atrium. A large stone fireplace, mounted stags' heads, and suits of armor intermingle with a grand piano, colorful wall tapestries, funky red chandeliers, and plush purple and fuchsia seating. A beautifully recreated grand staircase leads past stained glass windows to modern carpeted hallways overlooking the reception area. The grounds aren't quite so grand, but manicured lawns and ivy-clad walls add to the overall feeling of a Middle-Ages-meets-21st-century hideaway.
Location
Upmarket suburb a 10-minute drive from Dublin's center
The Clontarf Castle Hotel is set in the upmarket Dublin suburb of Clontarf, set back from a quiet residential street and overlooking neighboring gardens and parkland. Clontarf village itself is worth exploring, as is nearby Howth -- a lovely little fishing village nestled in Dublin Bay. All the attractions of Dublin's center are also easily accessible via a 10-minute bus journey, and the airport is also just a 15-minute drive away.
Rooms
Rich in colors, textures, and fabrics
Rooms are in keeping with the hotel's medieval-meets-modern theme, with traditional furnishings (including gold-flecked barrel chairs, elegant four-poster beds, and gilded mirrors in some rooms) and wallpapers that are fresh new takes on classic patterns, like metallic paisley and boldly colored botanicals. Decorative details likely include weighty curtains, vividly trimmed throw pillows, majestic lion figurines, and velvet blankets. Some rooms have stone alcoves and window nooks with cushioned seating. In-room technology includes 55-inch flat-screen TVs and individual climate control. All rooms have pillow-topped beds; safes; irons; and electric kettles with coffee, tea, and bottled water. All bathrooms are simple and modern and come with hairdryers and toiletries; Deluxe Rooms have walk-in showers, while upper-level types have shower/tub combos or separate tubs and showers, as well as bathrobes and slippers.Executive Rooms and suites have gorgeous carved-wood four-posted beds. Suites have the extra perks of mini-fridges and coffeemakers, plus separate shower/tub combos and rainfall showers in the bathrooms. King and Royal Suites have handsome purple, gray, and silver color schemes, comprised of lustrous wallpaper, plush carpeting, and richly textured furnishings, like heavy velvet couches and chairs. Both King and Royal Suites feature clawfoot tubs and separate rainfall showers in the bathrooms, and Royal Suites have sunrooms with chaise lounges, telescopes, and prime views of the castle.
Features
Locally sourced fine-dining restaurant and atmospheric bars
The hotel's on-site Fahrenheit Grill restaurant offers local fine dining (dry-aged sirloin, free-range guinea hen, roasted cod) in an elegant dining hall with wood-beamed cathedral ceiling and walls that date to the original 12th-century castle. The Indigo Lounge provides an inviting space to enjoy a drink or light meal in an eclectic contemporary space, while the Knights Bar is a handsome space with wood-paneled walls, candle chandeliers, and classic furniture. Wedding, parties, and conferences are catered to at Clontarf's various meeting and special-event venues. There are small fitness and business centers on-site, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
