If you ask anyone in Dublin what the best hotel in the city is, you’ll likely hear The Shelbourne’s name. The hotel, more than 200 years old, has a legacy with both locals and tourists, boasting a grand entrance, a see-and-be-seen bar, a popular afternoon tea service and, of course, beautiful rooms. Not to mention it’s across the street from St. Stephen’s Green and has been the location of many foundational events in Ireland’s history.
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But what is it really like to stay at this historic hotel? Let’s take a closer look at what else you need to know about The Shelbourne — and how to stay using your hard-earned points.
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What is The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection?
One of Dublin’s crown jewel establishments, The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection is located across the street from St. Stephen’s Green and a few short blocks from multiple major attractions, including Grafton Street, Trinity College Dublin and The National Gallery of Ireland.
The 200-year-old hotel joined Marriott’s Autograph Collection back in 2019, opening it up to the world of points travelers. Great for all guests, from families to couples or even business travelers, The Shelbourne has nearly everything you could possibly want from a landmark hotel.
Related: An overview of the 35 Marriott hotel brands
How to book The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection
Since The Shelbourne is an Autograph Collection hotel, the best way to book is direct through Marriott Bonvoy to leverage points earning and any elite status perks. Rooms start at 332 euros ($347) or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for a smaller guest room but can range up to 905 euros ($950) or 92,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night during peak periods.
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You can also book The Shelbourne through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, which provides perks like potential room upgrades, early check-in, late checkout and credits to use on the property.
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When booking The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection you’ll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Marriott stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Platinum Elite status; and 25 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Gold Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 15 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatic Silver Elite status; and 5 elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The location
Location is one of the (many) draws of The Shelbourne. If you want to stay in the heart of Dublin, this is your spot. St. Stephen’s Green is across the street, Trinity College is just a few blocks away and you’re surrounded by famous attractions and museums, like the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland — Archeology. The shops of Grafton Street are also a short walk away, and if you wish to stray farther than the surrounding area, there are bus stops located just steps from the entrance to the hotel that can take you all around the city.
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If you’re arriving from the train station, you can take a 13-minute cab ride or walk about 2 miles. If you’re arriving from the airport, your best bet is to take a 30-minute cab ride that will cost around 30 euros ($32), or there are bus options available as well.
The rooms are filled with historic charm
There are 265 rooms and 12 different room types at The Shelbourne, ranging from the Smaller Guest Room with a queen bed to the Princess Grace 2 Bed Presidential Suite. For my stay, I checked into a Signature Suite, which I quickly realized was about the same size as my New York City apartment — but much more luxurious.
From the crystal chandeliers to the regal earthy green furniture and my favorite of all — the massive marble-covered bathroom with dual vanities, a sleek shower and a soaking tub — I immediately felt like royalty.
First stepping into the room, there was a short hallway with a narrow table to set small belongings on which off-the-bat added a nice homey touch for the suite.
Continuing into the room, the living room area had two couches facing one another, with a faux fireplace on one side and a large media console on the other. The media console was topped with a mid-sized TV and a coffee-making station, and filled with a well-stocked minifridge as well as a full tea set inside.
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The windows looked out over St. Stephen’s Green, and I appreciated that much of the artwork also nodded to the famous park.
On the far side of the room was a small dining table and two chairs, where the hotel staff had left a sweet welcome gift of Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries for my stay.
Next to the bedroom door was an antique desk large enough for me to spread out my things and get some work done, which I appreciated. The chair matched the regal style of the room but certainly wasn’t a chair in which you’d want to spend all day.
The bedroom itself was fairly small and basic, with a king-size bed, two side tables and a large desk/vanity with a TV above it. The room’s cream color palette made it feel warm and comfortable, but not particularly memorable. The closet was large enough to store my belongings and housed the classic comforts of a safe, robes, slippers and umbrellas, all of which came in handy.
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The most glamorous part of the suite was the bathroom. The black and white marble design felt luxurious and I loved the opposite dual vanities, along with a set of Elemis toiletries on each.
The shower was spacious for city hotel standards, with two shower heads, although you could only use one at a time. The soaking tub was the focal point of the bathroom, and while it wasn’t a claw foot tub, I appreciated the sleek design and the jar of bath salts on the edge.
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My only hang-up was that while the toilet was tucked away in its own room, there was no door, so if you wanted privacy while using it, you had to close the large double doors at the start of the bathroom versus being able to close an individual door the way you could with the shower.
Overall, I appreciated how the room felt classic rather than dated. The modern touches kept it feeling elevated, while subtle nods to the history of the hotel, like the tags on the umbrellas calling out famous hotel guest James Cagney, captured the nostalgic energy of the hotel without making it feel dated.
You’ll want to try the on-site food and beverages
When chatting with JP Kavanagh, The Shelbourne’s general manager, I was surprised at first to learn that around 80% of the hotel’s food and beverage sales come from locals. But after visiting each of the hotel’s offerings, I was no longer surprised at all. According to Kavanagh, The Shelbourne is “where the Irish go to celebrate,” whether that’s a graduation, birthday or just a gathering of friends.
The Lord Mayor’s Lounge
If you want to indulge in the finer things, afternoon tea at The Lord Mayor’s Lounge is tough to beat. The atmosphere in the dining room is fit for royalty in the best way, as is the tea selection. The classic afternoon tea starts at 75 euros (about $79) per person, but if you really want to go all out, upgrade to the Champagne afternoon tea from 98 euros (about $103) per person.
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No. 27 The Shelbourne Bar
The Shelbourne’s see-and-be-seen bar, No. 27 The Shelbourne Bar, is as fabulous as it is welcoming. The decor is upscale yet inviting, and the windows out to the sidewalk make you feel like you’re living in a movie. The bar also offers dinner service, and both the Shelbourne Burger (25 euros, about $27) and the Bram Stoker “Robber” Pie (25 euros, about $27) were delicious.
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The cocktail list also has something delightful for everyone, including my personal favorite, the Shelbourne Bramble (18 euros, about $19). If you’re staying on a Friday night, be sure to catch the Champagne saber that happens every Friday at 6:24 p.m., or 18:24 using 24-hour time, which is the year the hotel was founded.
The Saddle Room
The Saddle Room serves a formal breakfast each morning exclusively for hotel guests. It offers a classic buffet spread as well as an a la carte menu with breakfast signatures like eggs Benedict and French toast. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner to both guests and the public, offering upscale classics.
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The Horseshoe Bar
A historic whiskey institution, The Horseshoe bar almost feels more like a speakeasy — though you don’t need to sneak around to find the entrance in the hotel lobby. The extensive whiskey list will be an easy draw for whiskey lovers, but there are plenty of other cocktails to enjoy as well — along with colorful patrons.
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1824 Bar
Accessible only to overnight hotel guests, the 1824 bar is definitely worth stopping into for a predinner drink or a nightcap. The small bar is masterfully decorated and imbued with the history of The Shelbourne, including a unique pair of murals on either side of the bar painted by artist Paul Slater with characters from Irish fiction, film and history, as well as guests from across the hotel’s first 200 years.
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The Health Club is modern and sleek, featuring a pool
If you wish to break a sweat during your stay, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so. Depending on where your room is located, the gym might be tricky to find, but the hotel staff were more than happy to show me the way during my stay.
Despite being a historic hotel, The Shelbourne’s Health Club was filled with state-of-the-art equipment that you’d expect to find in any well-stocked gym. The workout area was narrow in some spaces, but still housed enough space to complete workout activities. My favorite space was the studio, which had the historic charm of the rest of the building, but plenty of modern equipment and space for the fitness classes that are hosted daily (complimentary for guests of the hotel).
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For many, the best part will likely be the 18-meter pool in the center of the facility, next to the sauna and steam rooms. The vibe was that of a modern spa space, and I regret not having more time to relax and enjoy those amenities. It’s worth noting that these amenities are not open 24 hours; they are only accessible from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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The Salon and The Spa
There is also a salon and a spa on the property, offering nearly every treatment one could think of. You can get a blow dry for 38 euros ($40), a Biotec Pro-Glow Facial for 160 euros ($168), a 60-minute Deep Tissue Muscle Massage for 165 euros ($173) and much more. Just note that prices at The Spa increase by 10 euros if you book a service on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
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Reasons The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection might not be for you
While The Shelbourne has a great location in Dublin City Centre and is filled with historic charm, there may be some elements that are missing for certain travelers.
- The price point of the hotel, while appropriate for the experience, is quite high. If you aren’t looking for an upscale experience, there are other options in the area at lower price points.
- Historical hotels have their quirks, so some travelers might prefer an alternate hotel with a modern design and ease of accessibility throughout.
- If you prefer a quieter hotel with a lobby that has room to hang out or work, The Shelbourne’s limited lobby space may prove challenging.
- The Shelbourne is not within walking distance to the Dublin Heuston train station or close to the airport, although you can get to either fairly easily via a cab ride.
Accessibility
While The Shelbourne is more than 200 years old, it has made updates in order to remain accessible. The hotel only offers one accessible room type, a King Guest Room, but all on-site restaurants and meeting rooms are accessible. The on-site fitness center, business center, spa and pool all apparently have accessible entrances, although I did not see a lift during my visit to the pool, so guests with accessibility needs may want to call the hotel ahead of booking a reservation.
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The hotel does have elevators that allow guests to access every floor without using stairs, but some of the hallways and elevators are quite narrow and there are doorways with large boards to step over upon entry. The layout of the hotel isn’t the easiest to navigate either, so if you’re looking for a hotel that is easy to navigate with the most up-to-date accessibility, you may want to stay elsewhere.
Checking out
My stay at The Shelbourne left me feeling like royalty, from the historic yet stunning interior design in every common space and room to the delectable afternoon tea I had in The Lord Mayor’s Lounge. I’m typically the type of traveler to explore a new place every time I take a trip, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been daydreaming about booking another trip to The Shelbourne since the moment I checked out.
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