Heather House Hotel 47 Strand Road, Bray, Ireland | (618) 248-8274
Easy weekend trip from Dublin -- only 40 minutes by car
Quick walk to Bray Train Station; waterfront just across the street
Simple, contemporary rooms, some featuring fireplaces and sea views
Self-catering apartments available with kitchenettes
On-site bar, bistro, and nightclub
Full Irish breakfast served daily
Free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel
On-site event room can accommodate up to 120 people
On-site nightclub can be heard in some rooms
Views can be lackluster and look onto neighboring walls
Breakfast is not included with room rates
No on-site parking is available, and street parking is metered
The mid-range Martello Hotel has 44 simple and contemporary guest rooms and apartments, some of which overlook the Bray coast and include fireplaces. The hotel is located in downtown Bray, a short walk the train station, shopping, and restaurants along Bray Main Street. The hotel serves a full Irish breakfast daily, though it's not free, while buzzy on-site Tower Bistro, Koo Nightclub, and Martello Bar attract both locals and guests alike. The bar hosts live music weekly, and the nightclub is open until late, so light sleepers should request a quiet room when booking. Guests looking for a more tranquil escape from Dublin may want to try the Ferry House Bed & Breakfast, 20 minutes up the road, a charming historical property, though rooms are slightly less contemporary.
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Scene
A lively hotel that caters to tourists and corporate guests alike
The Martello Hotel attracts a lively crowd, from weekend party seekers to families looking for a reasonable getaway near the sea. The lobby entrance is tastefully decorated with ivory-painted wood paneling -- a motif repeated in guest rooms -- that seamlessly matches the reception counter, and small striped seating throughout. There isn't much space to relax here, but the hotel offers a large selection of dining and drinking establishments for a property of its size. The stylish on-site Tower Bistro is popular among both guests and locals, with brown leather chairs, restored wooden floors, and shelves displaying an eclectic mix of knick-knacks (not to mention its often crowded summer terrace), while the Martello Bar has an upscale pub atmosphere and hosts live music weekly. Koo Nightclub draws plenty of guests from across Bray, and those staying in the hotel should keep in mind that certain areas will be noisy well into the night on weekends.
Location
On the edge of the Irish Sea, a two-minute walk from the begining of the famous Bray Cliff Walk
The Martello Hotel is located opposite the Bray Promenade a 30-minute train journey from Dublin via the Bray Railway Station, which is a seven-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel offers discounted tickets to the National Sea Life Bray Aquarium, which is great for families and has more than 5000 sea creatures on display, located a two-minute walk across the street from the hotel. There's a traditional Victorian bandstand across from the hotel as well where performances are hosted during the summer months, and Signal Arts Centre, exhibiting local contemporary art, is also two minutes away on foot. Bray Main Street, which is lined with a selection of eateries, retailers, and bars is an 10-minute walk from the hotel, while The Bray Cliff Walk, a popular 2-hour coastal hike, begins at the bandstand on the promenade, winds around scenic Brayhead, and ends at Greystones Harbor.
Rooms
Simple, contemporary rooms and apartments with kitchenettes, some with sea views
The hotel has a mixture of 25 Twin Double, King Double, or King Deluxe rooms, as well as 19 Self-Catering Apartments, all of which are decorated in neutral tones, like ivory-painted wood-paneled walls and plush brown carpeted floors. With white, contemporary furniture and minimal seating, regular hotel rooms feel a bit austere, but are cozy enough, and some guest rooms include decorative fireplaces, exposed brick walls, and sea views that can raise the charm factor. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, coffee- and tea-making facilities, wall-mounted flat screen TVs, air-conditioning, and irons. Contemporary en-suite bathrooms have white tiled walls, stand-up showers, pump-dispensed toiletries, and modern fixtures, though we did spot a bit of stained grout in the showers. Self-catering apartments are colorful and compact, though a bit less fresh with sagging leather love seats. They include attractive, vibrant green-tiled kitchenettes with washer/dryers and space-savvy design features like fold away beds in the living area.
Features
Weekly live music, and an on-site nightclub
The hotel features the on-site Martello Bar, with live music weekly, and Koo Nightclub for guests that want to party until late (though families may want a room away from the racket). Tower Bistro, the stylish on-site restaurant, has an extensive internationally-influenced menu that draws guests from the hotel and locals as well. The restaurant has a massive terrace that's often packed in the summer months and a full Irish breakfast is available every day for a fee. Private function facilities are available on-site for wedding receptions, corporate events, or special celebrations and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. There is no on-site parking and street parking is metered throughout the day.
