Number 31 – A Hidden Oasis of Luxury and Charm in the Heart of Georgian Dublin

Number 31 is perfectly located in central Dublin, with the tranquil park of St Stephen’s Green just a five minutes walk away. The Green leads onto Grafton Street, a renowned shopping area and home to the upscale department store Brown Thomas. The location is the utmost epitome of 18th-century Dublin, with its spacious tree-lined streets and tall, elegant townhouses. Fitzwilliam Square, where one of Ireland’s most prominent artists Jack B Yeats painted glorious images of the West of Ireland from No 18, is just two minutes walk away. And if you truly wish to escape the city’s crowd then enjoy a meditative stroll along the peaceful Grand Canal close by.

Historic Home

Incredibly, Number 31 was once the home of Sam Stephenson, Dublin’s most controversial architect of the 1960s and 70s. What was originally a stable block, Stephenson decided to convert the building into a modern home, seen as sacrilegious for its time, being in the heart of revered Georgian Dublin. Today, the guest house retains a modern feel with lashings of quirky and colourful pieces of art, giving the house a thoroughly eccentric feel. However, more traditional visitors will be delighted with the gorgeous walled garden, which retains the essence of 18th-century style whilst at the same time, boasting flamboyant décor.

Relaxing Rooms and Serence Suites

All 21 bedrooms and suites are individually decorated in gloriously warming colour schemes, using a selection of homely but unique light and texture. Rooms are spacious and ooze calm, so whether you choose a plush double or ‘all that jazz’ family suite, you’ll feel incredibly serene and relaxed. A firm favourite among regular guests is No 20 which boasts ornate stained glass in the ante-room. The large, mosaic-tiled bathrooms are filled with products from the divine Organic Irish beauty brand Voya.

Breakfast of Champions

There are no evening meals but Number 31’s breakfast – provided in a rooftop conservatory kitchen with long communal tables – is utterly sensational. You can indulge in a delicious full Irish or order a healthier porridge and fresh berries option. There’s also an array of cheeses and cold meats. All rooms have facilities for hot drinks, mineral water and hospitality trays.

Honest Aperitifs

Being a small but beautifully formed boutique hotel, Number 31 offers a stylish, glitterball mirrored honesty bar, situated beside the sunken seating area with an array of cosy, colourful sofas in front of a modern fireplace. This is the perfect place to meet up for pre or post-evening drinks.

A-lister Activities

Being in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the world, there’s a huge variety of activities available on your doorstep. If you love shopping, head to Grafton Street to peruse the huge range of stores or pop into Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre for more quirky gifts. For foodies and celebrity spotters, Dublin is heaven. Harry Styles was recently spotted in SOLE Seafood and Grill on nearby South William Street while Ed Sheeran is a huge fan of Rasam Indian restaurant in the pretty coastal town of Dún Laoghaire.

Pubs line every street, with the ornate, Victorian Palace Bar in Fleet Street and traditional music’s O’Donoghues Bar on Merrion Row, favoured by locals and tourists alike. Culture vultures should visit the nearby National Museum of Ireland and National Gallery – where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant and often tragic history of this incredible nation. The Little Museum of Ireland on St Stephen’s Green and Kilmainham Gaol are also a must-see. If you wish to go further afield, whiskey lovers should book a tour of the wonderful Powerscourt Distillery in County Wicklow.

Number 31 is included in our guide to the best hotels in Dublin