Hot Rooms
Luxury stays in Dublin and Birmingham
[ DUBLIN ]
Fighting Fitz
The Celtic Tiger might seem a little toothless these days, yet Dublin’s five-star hotels have come out of the financial crisis fighting, offering more reasons to spend your euros on them.
The Fitzwilliam on St Stephen’s Green is currently punching well above its weight. Conran and Partners oversaw its recent refurbishment, adding a fruits-of-the-forest colourway to the Fitzwilliam’s bed linen, walls and carpets. The hotel’s principal restaurant, Thornton’s, has won a Michelin star for its locally sourced cuisine.
Rooms start at a reasonable €170 per night, yet richer travellers should try the top floor suites, with large private balconies and a matchless view of the city centre. Add good conferencing facilities, a 24-hour complimentary gym and business suite, as well as a nail bar, hairdressers and beauty salon and you can see why the Fitzwilliam makes for a safe bet, for business or pleasure, come what may.
Alex Rayner St Stephen’s Green, +353 (0)1 478 7000; www.fitzwilliamhotel.com
[ BIRMINGHAM ]
Go your own way
Staying Cool combines the style of a boutique hotel with the independence that comes from renting your own apartment. Situated in Birmingham landmark the Rotunda, this new enterprise offers four sizes of room (starting at £99) rentable from one night to several months. Decor nods to the 1960s, with blow-ups of Twiggy on the wall, Pierre Paulin’s distinctive tulip chairs and retro sofas in chartreuse and charcoal. Add an Apple Mac entertainment system, Gaggia espresso machine, Poggenpohl kitchen, hand-blended aromatherapy bath products and kingsize pocket-sprung mattresses and you see why they’re winning awards. Plus it’s just a three minute walk from Selfridges. How much cooler can you get? Adrian Mourby The Rotunda, New Street, Birmingham, +44 (0)121 643 0815; www.stayingcool.com
