Hotel review: Dublin city’s best value five-star delivers gorgeous rooms at a great price

The reception of The Morrison Dublin

The Morrison Dublin, Curio Collection by Hilton

Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1.

Our Rating: 8/10

Location

Overlooking the Liffey, between Millennium and Grattan Bridge, this quayside five-star places you mere minutes on foot from O’Connell Street, Grafton Street, and Temple Bar. River-view rooms offer fabulous vistas over the Liffey to the rooftops of the former Central Bank and beyond.

Despite double-glazed sash windows, there is a gentle rumble of traffic and we are surprised that our third-floor suite vibrates a little when trucks trundle past; It’s an unusual quirk. Ten minutes on the Luas from Heuston Station, makes it a stress-free destination when travelling by train from Cork.

• 9/10

Style & design

The exterior of The Morrison Dublin

First impressions matter, and the reception and lobby make a welcoming statement. Stylishly contemporary, with a colourful wall of well-curated art that says Dublin-is-creative-fun-historic-cultural-and-self-effacing, it’s a revealing and appealing local theme that is carried successfully throughout the property, sitting comfortably with the minimalist styling. Funnily, the busy bar and grill and cavernous breakfast restaurant, Halo, are the least appealing parts. When compared to the sleek bedrooms, newly revamped events space, and boardrooms in the Georgian part of the hotel, they feel less distinctive.

• 8.5/10

Service

Check-in is charming, with personality, smiles, and an endearing gift of a little Irish chocolate. News that breakfast is served until 12 on weekends (and 11 on weekdays) is a great initiative if you’re in Dublin to party — or just enjoy a lazy morning lie-in. Checkout isn’t until noon, either. Dinner in the Morrison Grill is served by a brilliant waitress who exudes warmth, knowledge, and charisma. Breakfast service is efficient but lacks the same confidence or impact, with staff quite serious and some confusion around orders.

• 8/10

Guest rooms

A King Deluxe Bedroom at The Morrison Dublin

The Morrison isn’t trying to take on the historic landmark five-stars in Dublin. Instead, it’s going for a minimalist aesthetic, with contemporary flair. It’s fair to say that its photography doesn’t do justice to the bedrooms, which are cosy, well-designed spaces. Pale wood, tan leather features, including chic headboards, elegant two-tone curtains, perspex lightboxes as cool bedside tables, and good lighting are all features. Our suite, in the Georgian part, has a lovely apex roof feature, comfortable desk, and interesting photography of the city. Uniquely, each bedroom has a lyric from an Irish musician or singer written on the wall.

• 8.5/10

In-room perks

The well-appointed bathroom includes large refillable Aromatherapy Associates products and a full selection of vanities, from a shaving kit to dental care, shower cap, cotton wool, and a loofah. (Bonus points for the fluffy face cloths.) There’s a Smeg coffee machine with Lavazza pods, a mix of Barry’s and Pukka tea bags, and handily, coffee bags, including a very welcome decaf one. Milk cartons always disappoint us at this level. Aside from O’Donnell’s Irish crisps, the mini bar is stocked with basic international drinks — although we like seeing rosé with the wines.

• 7/10

On the menu

There’s a lively buzz in the Morrison Grill, which looks out over the quays and sits beside the hotel’s busy cocktail bar, Quay 14. Lambay Island prawn cocktail, and seared scallops with slow-cooked pork belly are strong openers, and the Josper grill does a good job of the Hereford T-bone and Slaney Valley lamb rump. The wine list is very short, but has surprisingly affordable options.

The stand-out dish next morning is sensational brioche French toast dusted in cinnamon sugar and served with berry compote. The breakfast buffet is strangely laid out and the space is awkward to navigate. While underwhelmed by the juices, the Bloody Mary station, good pastry selection, and excellent O’Neill’s bacon and Quigley’s sausages save the day. A spicy fried egg dish, Eggs Kejriwal, with fried chillis, mustard seed, and Dubliner cheese on sourdough toast is imaginative and delicious.

• 7.5/10

Activities & amenities

The newly revamped gym is excellent, with plenty of equipment in a bright, spacious room. There are no other amenities, but we like the takeaway coffee cups at breakfast, to set you up for a day’s exploring, in a location where everything you might need is close by.

• 6/10

The bill

Rooms from €245 in low season and €310 during high season.

The Hotel Examiner was a guest of The Morrison Hotel

Room to improve?

We’d love to see the breakfast buffet area redesigned. In such a cavernous dining room it feels shoe-horned in. An upgrade to fresh milk in the bedrooms would be welcome too.

Access for guests with disabilities? Fully accessible although, worryingly, the accessibility page on the hotel’s website is blank.

Family-friendly? Yes, but ideally with older kids.

Dogs welcome? Only service dogs.

EV chargers? Affiliate parking rate at nearby Jervis Street car park, with EV chargers.

• morrisonhotel.ie