Weekend break: The Marker Hotel, Dublin

OPEN up one of the Irish glossies, take a glance at the fashion spreads, and chances they’ll have been shot at the Marker Hotel.

One of the newest hotels on the Dublin scene, this venue oozes cool.

The entrance leads you straight into a bar that could have come straight from New York.

Think minimalist, funky leather chairs, an on-trend lean, long table, ideal for meetings — or communal cocktails.

To the left is a low-key reception desk. Further along the corridor is the restaurant, but more on that later.

First impressions, it’s all very modern, and very beautiful. But the real highlight is above eye level, the stunning ceiling with its architecturally striking design.

It creates a cavernous effect, unique and like nothing you’ve seen before, yet simultaneously cosy and as a result, homely.

All this, however, is just for starters. Upstairs is the Marker’s true calling card — the rooftop bar.

Think cocktails with a panoramic city scape, reaching across to the wild natural beauty of the mountains and the city.

Of course the Irish climate needs to be accounted for so there’s an enclosed glass panelled bar where you can still enjoy the view even in a rain-swept Dublin. It is truly something very special.

This is usually the location for the Marker’s fashion shoots. And little wonder it’s the stylists’ choice; what a showcase for Dublin.

Beside the Grand Canal Theatre, the Marker is positioned in one of Dublin’s most happening locations, a transformed part of the city courtesy of Google and co setting up shop a stones throw away. It’s a cool, urban retreat in the heartland of Dublin’s Docklands.

Somehow, in the midst of all this coolness, everyone feels at home here.

We saw families blend in as easily as the capital’s beautiful people. Our welcome at reception was professional yet also down to earth and welcoming. The perfect mix.

We stayed in one of four corner suites (the hotel has 187 bedrooms), all sleek and minimalist in design with funky splashes of colour. We loved our city view.

Their tapas option in the spa — quick and affordable massage or facial options — is a touch of genius. I opted for the massage where I could choose an oil and music to match my mood (I opted for relaxation).

It’s the little touches you remember in a place like this and I loved the little flower placed right in my eyeline beneath my massage table that I could admire throughout.

There’s a 23m infinity pool too, with opening hours for kids. Like I said, it’s utterly child friendly.

We dined early in the restaurant and loved the conversation screens scattered throughout. Privacy and intimacy guaranteed here.

The food was affordable (€25 for two courses), quick — both key for a pre theatre option — but most important of all, it was sublime. I lapped up the sea bream for mains; the chocolate mousse for dessert was unforgettable.

The Brasserie has the “look” too, the bold, abstract ceiling complemented by the minimalist decor, including the iconic Panton chair. Breakfast was served buffet style in the restaurant, the only downside, slightly weak coffee. We loved the granary bread.

The Marker feels like an international boutique hotel, quirky yet corporate, a vibrant cultural hub. Just like its neighbours at Google.

The venue has just launched a health and wellbeing concept called “The Marker Equilibrium, it’s all about ME”.

There’s healthy eating in the restaurant with new additions to the menu like the “Nutri Burger” (served nude or with gluten free bap, it comes with a side of baked sweet potato wedges topped with avocado and pickled red cabbage).

There are yoga boxes in bedrooms, city running maps, and the spa now offers the Lomi Lomi massage, renowned for its balance restoring principles.

An Equilibrium package which starts from €289 has also been introduced; 01 6875100.

www.themarkerhoteldublin.com