The Leinster
- The rooftop restaurant Jean-Georges, located at The Leinster Hotel, offers a beautiful view of the city and serves French classics with Irish influences.
- The hotel is situated in a quiet neighborhood known for its Georgian-style architecture, but it is still within walking distance to many of the most important sites in the city.
- The staff is friendly, helpful, and attentive.
- The Collins Club’s innovative cocktail menu makes it stand out in Dublin’s cocktail scene.
The moment I entered the lobby, I felt energized and re-energized. The LeinsterI was totally charmed. The space had an artistic whimsy that seamlessly blended modern sophistication with comfort—a common theme throughout the property, from the bar and restaurant to the hallways and guest rooms. This aesthetic was carefully curated.
The Leinster’s interior design is inspired by the rich history of its surroundings. It was created to celebrate the Georgian heartland of Dublin, which adjoins Merrion Square,” Melanie Nocher said, General Manager of The Leinster. Travel + Leisure. “We are proud of our collection which includes over 300 original paintings by more than 80 artists. The collection includes the works of Melissa O’Donnell, Colette Riet (an Irish artist based in Paris), Domino Whisker, and Damien Hirst. It reflects Ireland’s vibrant contemporary art scene and its rich tapestry.
The hotel is located in a quiet area of Dublin, just a few minutes walk from the city’s busy center. It offers a perfect balance between tranquility and convenience. I was able to get around on foot and I wasn’t disturbed at night by the noise of the nightlife.
“The Leinster provides a completely new hospitality offering to Merrion Square—cementing its position as Dublin’s first luxury lifestyle hotel, with a focus on stunning design, artwork, wellness, and delicious dining with Jean-Georges at The Leinster, marking Jean-Georges’ first foray in Ireland,” Nocher added.
Dublin, a city of history, culture and charm, offers travelers everything, from medieval castles to the literary legacy left by James Joyce and Oscar Wilde. It also has lively pubs and a beautiful coastline. The Leinster is a new hotel that celebrates and enhances the charm of Dublin.
What’s it like to stay?
The Rooms
The hotel’s four-story structure has 55 guestrooms, ranging in size from small to large. Couples, families and solo travelers.
The Nook is the smallest room, measuring 75 square feet, with a single-bed, an en suite marble bathroom and everything a solo traveler could need. The Rico Suite is the largest room, measuring 430 square feet. It has a balcony with views of the city and a super-king bed. The 55 rooms all share a similar design: floral headboards and mirrored tabletops. They also have art-forward décor, green-tiled bathroom, and a mirrored tabletop.
The Superior is a middle-range room. I was able to enjoy a comfortable king-sized mattress, a minibar and a sofa in my sitting area. The evening I checked in, my sitting area doubled as my dining room, and on the following mornings, my workspace.
Food and Drink
The rooftop restaurant Jean-Georges is a signature of The Leinster and is run by celebrity Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Ross Bryans, the head chef, told T+L the menu “fuses traditional French gastronomy—Jean-Georges’ unique style—with local Irish influences.” It features international dishes like tuna tartare, butternut squash soup, parmesan-crusted chicken in lemon butter, mushroom walnut bolognese, spiced pumpkin crème brûlée, and cinnamon apple pie.
“Dublin was a city I had always wanted to discover. Vongerichten said that the city has a rich and diverse history, including a wide range of cuisines, cultures, and ingredients. The Leinster brings a taste of Asia to the rooftop, while working with Irish producers to create an unforgettable dining experience.
Vongerichten’s favorite dish is the signature Jean-Georges appetizer, egg toast. It consists of a half-confit egg yolk between two slices of toast with a layer greens and caviar on top.
Vongerichten said that his restaurant serves “familiar but different dishes” for both visitors and locals. He wasn’t incorrect.
Niall Fitzgerald is a Dublin resident who told me about his wonderful dining experience. “I do think Jean-Georges at The Leinster is valuable to the local dining scene—it’s unique,” said Fitzgerald, who recommended the fillet steak and apple pie.
Paul O’Connell/Courtesy The Leinster
The Collins Club is a glamorous cocktail and supper bar located on the ground floor. The “Champagne Cha Cha”, a brunch on Saturday, features Mumm Champagne, brunch dishes like Nduja mussels, spinach feta omelet and Turkish eggs. Customers can also order small plates at night. They include wild mushroom and truffle-flavored gnocchi as well as a house-made marrowburger.
The Collins Club’s manager of food and beverages, Milan Ormanovic told T+L that guests can expect a unique experience. It goes beyond simply sipping on a cocktail. “They will embark upon a sensory trip, where each cocktail tells a tale, and is made with care and passion using the latest gadgets to extract pure essence. “It’s a memorable experience for all guests.”
The room service menu at the hotel includes a variety of dishes from The Collins Club as well as Jean-Georges, located in The Leinster.
Amenities
The hotel offers a thermal room with an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna indoor and a steamed room. Power at The Leinster offers a fitness experience. Nocher explained that the fitness experience combines state-of-the art facilities with a customized approach to health and wellness, which is provided by exercise scientists, physical therapists, and personal trainers.These amenities were not available at the time of my stay.
Accessibility and sustainability
The Leinster offers a number of eco-friendly initiatives.
Accessibility is also addressed by three suits, which have grab rails and emergency cords in addition to adapted bathrooms. Nocher stated that, other than the jacuzzi outside, the hotel is fully wheelchair accessible. All bedroom floors have disabled refuge zones, and the reception has a hearing-induction loop.
Location
Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure
The Leinster lies on the edge Merrion Square Park. Trinity College is only a 15-minute stroll away, as are a number of galleries and museums such as the National Gallery. National Gallery of IrelandThe Museum of Literature IrelandThe. Oscar Wilde House. Nocher added that “Dublin’s rich culture is at the guests’ fingertips as soon as they step outside of the hotel.”
What to Expect from Your Stay
The Leinster offers 15% off stays of three nights or more. It also has a variety of packages: the “Morning with Jean–Georges” has complimentary breakfast at the Jean-George Rooftop Restaurant; “That Leinster Life” offers a cocktail at The Collins Club, and breakfast and a three-course dinner at the Jean-George Rooftop Restaurant; and there’s a seasonal package with a shopping experience at Kildare Village, a local boutique mall. Visit the “Get the latest deals” page to get the most current information.OffersPage on the hotel website.
Book your stay with The Leinster for as low as $350 per night. theleinster.ie.
Each hotel reviewed by T+L is chosen based on its alignment with our values. core values.
