This week the Christmas lights returned to the Grafton Street area of Dublin, and the twinkling chandeliers light the upmarket shopping area. The lights in the Henry Street and Capel Street areas are also ablaze. This week heralds the beginning of the Christmas season and shopping in earnest begins.
When you have had your fill of shopping in Dublin’s premium stores, a tiny walk from Grafton Street will bring you into an oasis of tranquility, luxury and peacefulness – The Westbury Hotel.
There are always staff available to welcome visitors and make you feel at home. The Christmas decorations are stunning and worth popping in for at least a peek.
The Gallery for Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is an institution at The Gallery in The Westbury. The spacious lounge filled with comfy sofas and upholstered chairs. The vast windows flood it with light all day, as elegantly tailored staff wait on you calmly and courteously.
There is a Dublin tradition of Afternoon Tea in The Westbury and one that many families enjoy as a special day out. Here you will see Mothers, Grannies, Aunties and stylish young women enjoying the treat. Men are welcome too, just bring your card. Book early, as it will be busy for the Christmas Season. Afternoon tea costs €60 per person, add a glass of champagne and it costs €78.
During the lockdowns the Westbury used the opportunity to make changes to their suites on the 5th floor and the rooms were completely refurbished; some of the suites have terraces.
I stayed in a junior suite and loved the classic Art Deco style, that included burr walnut and maple furniture. An eclectic mix of antique and contemporary styles worked well in the spacious suite including the George Smith armchairs.
Climbing into my contemporary four-poster bed, I felt like a princess, though no peas here. Instead, I snuggled into the crisp Lissadell linens with the temperature set to sleep temperature and had a comfortable night’s sleep.
Motion Detector
During the night I realised something clever, there is a motion detector and the bathroom light pops on as you near the door. Why do more hotels not have this facility? I have spent many a night in a hotel scrabbling around looking for the light switch.
The big bathroom is designed with classic white marble, and has a spacious tub and walk-in shower, and the fittings are golden polished brass, adding to the luxurious feel. Toiletries were full-size Malin + Goetz products, and they came home with me.
The suite also has a bar area with coffee machine, kettle and stocked with a range of drinks and snacks. The spacious walk-in wardrobe would be ideal for people staying more than a few days.
My favourite restaurant in Dublin
WILDE is one of my favourite restaurants in Dublin. It is a beautiful room and I always like to sit in the leafy terrace side. This is classic food, no pretentions, a steak is a steak, a prawn is a prawn. You cannot beat WILDE for good classic food. The Dublin Bay Prawn Cocktail with six big prawns were the freshest I have tasted in a long time.
I had a fillet steak with pepper sauce on the side and it was cooked perfectly to order. The chunky chips were the best I have ever had. My brother who joined me for dinner, had an equally delicious meal of Irish smoked salmon and the fresh fish of the day. We paired our meal with a nice bottle of French Sauvignon Blanc as recommended by the sommelier.
Christmas and New Year at The Westbury
When it comes to Christmas lunch or dinner, nothing beats the legendary three-course feast at WILDE. Perfect for business lunches, intimate family gatherings or friendly catch-ups, WILDE’s Christmas lunch, €58 per person; or dinner, €75 per person, is available seven days a week and caters to groups of ten or more.
Finally, New Year’s Eve at The Westbury brings you to the centre of Dublin’s cultural heartland to ring in 2022. The the exclusive NYE Make a Night of It package is a great way to say goodbye to 2021. The package includes three-course dinner in WILDE, with a champagne cocktail. A night in a luxury room with full Irish breakfast on New Year’s morning, late check-out until 2pm. There is free cancellation up to three days in advance of your stay, from €675 per room The Westbury.