While often associated above all with the friendly casual vibe of its pub scene, Dublin periodically ranks among the most expensive cities in Europe for both residents and tourists.
Depending on the season, a hotel room averages between €150 and €300 per night while food and alcohol costs are also among the highest comparatively to other European cities.
For those looking for a more upscale experience, there is no shortage of luxury options for where to wine, dine and lay one’s head down for the night.
Where to stay, eat and go for a luxury travel experience in Dublin
The city is home to 11 Michelin-starred restaurants of which Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Chapter One and Liath in Blackrock just outside the city have earned the two-star honor. Chef Mickael Viljanen’s Chapter One offers tasting menus giving a fine dining spin to traditional Irish dishes using both traditional French and new Nordic Modern techniques.
The Atlantic waters surrounding Ireland also create the perfect environment for harvesting oysters; the delicacy is served under different presentations and pairings at countless bars across Dublin as well as given innovative twists at the many Dublin restaurants offering modern takes on Irish cuisine.
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Stretching 500 meters or 1,600 feet from the northern end of Trinity College to St. Stephen’s Green Victorian-era park, Grafton Street was already getting named as Dublin’s main stretch for luxury shopping centuries ago by Irish literary giants like James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.
When it comes to hotels, Dublin has not shortage of luxury accommodations. Located in the upscale Ballsbridge neighborhood home to numerous Victorian houses and international embassies, the InterContinental Dublin is a good option for those looking for a spa getaway slightly outside the central hubbub: facilities include a 14-meter pool overlooking a garden, a sauna and hammam stream room as well as a spa menu of facials, hot stone massages and body wrap treatments.
In recent years, helicopter tours that offer everything from bird’s-eye views of Dublin to jaunts over destinations like the picturesque villages of Adare or Ballyfin have also been seeing increased uptake with visitors with a larger budget.
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Golf, private whiskey tastings and other luxury activities in Dublin
Golf is a perennially beloved activity for many sports enthusiasts and, in the Dublin area, some of the most renowned courses also open to visitor bookings include the Portmarnock Resort & Jameson Golf Links and the Dun Laoghaire Golf Club in the Ballyman Glen natural valley.
As with almost all things luxury, an elevated experience so often comes down to bypassing crowds and getting individual attention. Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse both offer private tours and individual VIP tasting sessions for what to many are a must-do on any trip to Dublin.
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And while taking a few days to experience the Cliffs of Moher or Aran Islands is always a good idea, those with just one day to spare have the option of a chauffered vehicle that turns it into a day trip from Dublin with a hotel pickup and dropoff — starting at around €1,500 for a 10-hour day loop with stops along the Wild Atlantic Way for the Cliffs of Moher or a private three-hour journey in each direction to ferry points Doolin or Rossaveel for the Aran Islands.
