Dylan Hotel

THIS GLAMOROUS DUBLIN STYLE HOTSPOT is an exuberant mix of rococo and retro – and lots in between. The Dylan is everything a bold boutique hotel should be – decadent and fun, sassy and sophisticated. It’s the glammest place in the Guinness capital by a long chalk.

Slide into one of the Dylan's slinky scarlet or lime green sofas and take in a riot of colour and textures – outsize glass chandeliers, leather studded walls and an extrovert mix of bright and baroque. This is designer-land from top to bottom, where even the books in the library have colour-coordinated green jackets.

Bedrooms at the Dylan are big on style and big on beds. Mood lighting, plenty of mirrors and an iPod loaded with the hotel’s music collection set the tone. Needless to say, Dylan guests don’t sit in their room poring over the Financial Times – check out the fun adult game packs (complete with naughty blindfolds) in the minibar.

Designer decadence

Rooms are remarkably restful despite their upbeat colours, and the technics are all there, too – a Bose sound system, Bang & Olufsen cordless phone, plasma TV, iPod dock and wi-fi. Sleek travertine-tiled bathrooms are loaded with Etro toiletries, and chocolate brownies arrive with turndown.

Bedrooms are made for playtime, with Seventh Heaven beds. Book a Style room to make the most of this designer haven, or – for the full Dylan decadence quota – take an Experience Suite complete with a seven foot bed, a built-in bathroom TV, oversize bathtub and walk-in shower with body jets with surround sound. Enough said.

Ready to surface? Perch on a plush bar stool and sip a vodka cocktail at the Dylan’s signature pewter bar, where you can rub shoulders with Dublin’s glitterati.  There’s plenty of after-dark buzz and you can nab a seat on the little outside terrace if it’s sunny. Dine later amid the palest fresh-cream shades of Still, the hotel’s smart restaurant.

For all its style, Dylan Hotel has plenty of substance. Beds (specially made for the hotel) are super-comfortable and wrapped in Frette linens. Baths are big and showers come with plenty of power. Welcoming, can-do staff – attired in chic black, naturally – are happy to go the extra mile and service wins plenty of plaudits from guests.

While staying here doesn’t come cheap – make sure your credit card is suitably primed –  it’s the coolest address in Dublin town. Glam’s the word here. Pass the Guinness!

© Room for Romance