The 7 best spa hotels in Dublin for a pampering city break

Gracious, elegant and with standards of hospitality that are second to none, The Merrion exudes period charm from its prime position in the heart of Dublin. Admire the beautiful courtyard garden – a rarity in a central Dublin hotel – and spend time in the tranquil Tethra Spa, with its delightful blue-tiled pool and full range of treatments. Expect comfortable queen-sized beds and luxury-thread linen in the rooms. Also impressive is the dining: you can enjoy coffee alfresco in the garden, have a art-themed afternoon tea, and dine under a rose-gold roof at splendid Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, holder of two Michelin stars.

The signature red-brick Victorian façade of The Shelbourne Dublin has glowed on the northern side of St Stephen’s Green since 1824. Its main bar and Saddle Room restaurant are popular fixtures on the city’s social scene, and afternoon tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge is something of a Dublin tradition. Rooms are naturally very well-appointed, with some boasting splendid views across the treetops of the Green to the distant mountains. The spa area is delightful, complete with treatment areas, a gym, a top-lit 18-metre pool and a wonderful relaxation space, with park views and cocktails.

The Marker is glamorous, fashionable, and smarter than smart. It boasts a prime location (BGE Theatre is immediately adjacent), ritzy interiors and a rooftop bar with vistas across the Dublin docklands. The modern spa and wellness area is the big draw, and it’s extremely impressive: by turns spacious and enveloping, with a cool, smooth palette of greys to create a sense of intimacy. That fabulous emerald-green infinity pool comes in at a generous 75ft; there’s also a commodious whirlpool, plus a gym and very extensive range of treatments. Bedrooms are spacious and inviting, and service is polished.

This is everything a landmark seaside hotel ought to be: handsome, grand, nicely maintained, a local focus point – and in a splendid setting: on rising ground overlooking the great piers of picturesque Dún Laoghaire harbour, with views across Dublin Bay. The Sansana spa offers treatments in pleasantly enveloping surroundings, plus a wonderfully spacious fitness suite and 18-metre pool. There’s also tennis in the grounds. The Dún, the main dining room, has splendid sea views and such good dishes as Irish lamb and local fish. Try a stylish afternoon tea in the relaxing Bay Lounge, again with fine sea views.

Come here for impeccable five-star service in spacious surroundings. It’s a great choice for weekending couples in need of a little pampering; and families seeking intimacy and comfort. The nicely appointed spa features a 14 metre pool, a hot tub, a good gym and a relaxation area with herbal teas and Espa treatments, plus sauna and steam room. Rooms are among the most spacious in Dublin – and they’re a handsome affair, featuring elegantly muted purple-and-gold colour schemes, high-tech mod cons and robes and slippers. Classic cuisine is the thing at Seasons Restaurant, with lots of good Irish-sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the delightful Sunday lunch.

Smart, swish, youthful, and with an eye for modern design, the modern and clean-lined Spencer Hotel adds a touch of verve to Dublin’s docklands, and enjoys a fine, south-facing setting on the banks of the river Liffey. It’s home to an impressively spacious gym, complete with an excellent 18-metre pool, and a roster of exercise classes; the Viola Spa – a most agreeable, low-key space – offers a full range of treatments. Expect excellent soundproofing and plenty of space in all rooms, plus fine prospects across the river and city. Bathrooms have power showers and rather nice Irish Handmade Soap Company toiletries.

This splendidly modern hotel is set in the centre of Dublin’s shopping and entertainment district, overlooking the open spaces of St Stephen’s Green. It offers sleek accommodation on an intimate scale. The Spirit Spa offering a range of treatments, including hot and cold stones, and aromatherapy treatments. Other nice touches include a reading nook, complete with a library of books. The bedrooms are delightful: a small number of rooms look east across the treetops of St Stephen’s Green, while others look out to the courtyard garden. Glovers Alley restaurant serves impressively light fine dining – a good choice for special occasions.