Where to Stay - Dublin - page 57

on the Thomas Leighton suite, you'll sleep on a magnificent king-size
mahogany Murphy bed that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe.
Downstairs, the elegant brasserie serves up excellent traditional French
fare.
22 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. & 01/638-3939. Fax [phone]. www.brownes
dublin.com. 11 units. 17

($12-$21). MC, V. DART: Pearse. Bus: 10, 11A, 11B, 13, or 20B. Amenities: Restau-
rant (French). In room:A/C, TV, fax, dataport, tea/coffeemaker, hair dryer.

€ 210- € 240 ($253-$289) double. Breakfast € 10- €

The Shelbourne While The Fitzwilliam is all about cut-
ting-edge style, The Shelbourne is all about tradition. This is
Dublin's answer to the Grand Hotel, and nothing—not even getting
swallowed up by the Meridien Group—has changed its status.
Founded in 1824, it has played a significant role in Irish history—
the constitution was drafted here in 1922, in room no. 112. The
Shelbourne often plays host to international leaders, movie stars,
and literary giants. Guest rooms vary in size, but all offer up-to-date
comforts and are beautifully appointed with antiques and period
pieces. Ask for one that overlooks bucolic St. Stephen's Green. The
public areas, replete with glowing fireplaces, Waterford chandeliers,
and original artworks, are popular rendezvous spots for Dublin's
movers and shakers. (Indeed, the Horseshoe Bar remains the preferred
watering hole for sealing deals over a pint of Guinness.) The fitness
center is state-of-the-art, and service is impeccable. Needless to say,
you don't stay here just for the beds but for a slice of Irish heritage.
Note: The Shelbourne is undergoing extensive renovations through-
out 2005, with only half of the rooms available for guest stays.
27 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. & 800/225-5843 in the U.S. or 01/663-4500. Fax
01/661-6006. www.shelbourne.ie. 190 units. € 185- € 200 ($223-$240) double.

Breakfast 26 ($24-$31). AE, DC, MC, V. Limited free parking. DART: Pearse.

Bus: 10, 11A, 11B, 13, or 20B. Amenities: 2 restaurants (Continental, modern Irish);
2 bars; fitness center; concierge; room service; babysitting; laundry/dry cleaning;
barber shop; beauty and spa treatments; foreign-currency exchange; safe-deposit
boxes; tearoom; video library. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, minibar, radio.

€ 20- €

Stephen's Hall How suite it is. Wonderfully situated on
the southeast corner of St. Stephen's Green in a handsome Georgian
town house, this Clarion all-suite hotel offers great value for fami-
lies, visitors who plan an extended stay, or folks who want to enter-
tain or do their own cooking. Each suite is tastefully decorated and
contains a sitting room, dining area, fully equipped kitchenette,
bathroom, and bedroom. The luxury penthouse suites, on the upper
floors, offer great views of the city. Ground-level town-house suites
have private entrances.

Value