Hotel review: Dublin's Chancery is perfect for people travelling on business

Tucked behind Dublin Castle, this new Irish-owned hotel is smart and friendly

Exterior of The Chancery hotel

• The Chancery 
• 21 Ship Street Great, Dublin 8 
• thechanceryhotel.ie
• Our rating: 8/10

Location 

Set in Dublin’s Great Ship Street, The Chancery is within a ten-minute walk of Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, Grafton Street and Stephen’s Green, but is just far enough away from the action to afford some peace and quiet.

If you’re landing at Connolly or Heuston Station, it’s about 20 minutes from both stations via bus, with a taxi taking less than 15 minutes. 

9/10 

Style and design

A brown brick facade down a side-street, the hotel exterior is modest and unassuming. Inside, it's much more slick. The lobby feels bright and spacious, with a marble reception desk the centrepoint. Wood panelling is a key feature here, and throughout the hotel, with snazzy Philippe Starck armchairs dotted around the space. 

Across from the reception desk, the coffee dock and bar is an inviting space, but the restaurant, Fawn, with its glass feature wall looking out at a walled garden inspired by Dublin's River Poddle is the highlight. In summertime, the door can be opened to let in the air and the calming sound of trickling water. 

8/10 

Service

The check-in process is quick and friendly. It's service with a smile throughout our stay and everyone we deal with can't do enough to help.

9/10

Activities and amenities

A 24-hour gym and a wellness centre with a whirlpool, sauna and hammam steam room is set to open in the coming weeks.

The hotel is clearly pitched at the business traveller — you're never far from a socket, even in the restaurant — and one of the facilities on offer is a 16-seater board room equipped with an 85-inch LED screen and multimedia functionality, alongside several private acoustic meeting pods for two to four people.

8/10 

A King room in The Chancery hotel. Pictures: Andrew Bradley 

Rooms 

The wood panelling continues in the bedrooms, with calming green and turquoise colourways. A large circle mirror, which runs across two corners of the room, is a quirky feature, and artwork is by local NCAD graduates.

The bathroom is the star of the show for us, with gorgeous turquoise tiling, white marble and brass accents, and a door controlled by a button which amuses (though it does remind us a bit too much of being on the train). An illuminated vanity mirror comes in handy above the sink — not so much the mirror in the walk-in rainforest shower which steams up quickly. 

Back in the bedroom, a desk with chair and lamp is provided, alongside a flatscreen TV with a large variety of channels and apps (though the Netflix app isn't working during our stay). Master switches on both sides of the bed allow you to control the lights and curtains.

With a Kildare-made King Koil mattress, blackout blinds and top class soundproofing, we slept soundly all night long.

8/10 

In-room perks 

Guests are supplied with eco-friendly water cartons in the otherwise empty mini fridge, alongside Barry’s Tea and caffeinated and decaffeinated Idee Kaffee, UHT milk and brown and white sugar. A kettle is supplied, no coffee machine.

A super soft robe and slippers, garment steamer, ironing board and hairdryer can also be found in the wardrobe which provides ample storage space and hangers.

In the bathroom, rosemary-scented shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and body lotion is provided from VOTARY, a luxury UK brand.

6/10

Fawn restaurant in The Chancery hotel

On the menu

The hotel's restaurant, Fawn, has a sparse menu when we stay, but we are informed a new, more extensive menu offering is on the way. 

Chicken supreme is tasty, but the small portion leaves us hungry and wanting more. More successful is a vegan cappelletti pasta with butternut squash, pistachio and sage. I pair it with Cederberg Chenin Blanc 2022, a decent South African wine recommended by restaurant manager Tjaart Nel. 

Dessert - a double chocolate mousse with cherries and an unusual carrot pudding with mascarpone cream are both good. 

Cocktails veer from the classics to more unusual - a vodka, Midori and pineapple Dancing Mary is zingy and delicious.

Breakfast coves all the usual basis, from a full Irish and well-stocked buffet with fresh pastries baked in-house, to plenty of yoghurts, cheeses, cured meats, seeds and dried fruits, cereals and breads. We can't fault it.

8/10

Value for money 

Double rooms and suites start at €230.

Room to improve?

A Nespresso machine or equivalent in the bedroom is something many business travellers may have come to expect. We've also gotten used to mini vanity kits in hotel bathrooms which usually supply a shower cap, cotton buds and cotton pads at a minimum, and missed them here. 

Access for guests with disabilities? Accessible rooms are available, and it's one of the few times I’ve seen braille included in signs around a hotel.

Family-friendly? No family rooms on offer.

Dogs welcome? Assistance dogs only.