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The Most Family-Friendly Hotels in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is a great city for families, with an abundance of wonderful kid-friendly hotels
Dublin is a great city for families, with an abundance of wonderful kid-friendly hotels | Courtesy of InterContinental Dublin / Expedia.com

Ireland’s capital is a child-friendly crowd pleaser, with zoos, museums, toy shops and hotels that roll out the red carpet for families.

Dublin is a great city for families. There are parks, promenades, beaches, museums and all-ages attractions – and many hotels in Ireland’s hospitable capital cater for groups with kids in tow, with larger rooms to sleep all, child-friendly dining times, junior room-service menus and even on-call babysitting. After all, it’s a holiday for you, too. Here’s our pick of the best hotels for tots, teenagers and worn-out parents.

The Merrion Hotel

Hotel, Luxury

Suite at The Merrion Hotel Dublin
Courtesy of the Merrion Hotel Dublin / Hotels.com
With a junior room-service menu, dishes served on “Miss and Master Merrion” crockery, mocktails and mini bathrobes, children at the Merrion get VIP treatment. Rooms can be augmented with cots and extra beds to cater for families. The hotel is surrounded by many of Dublin’s cultural and entertainment attractions, such as the Royal Hibernian Academy, an art gallery that runs a dedicated kids’ programme and workshops, and is also close to the children’s playground in leafy St Stephen’s Green park.

The Shelbourne Dublin

Hotel, Luxury

A traditional guest room at The Shelbourne Dublin with salmon pink sofa, beige walls and white linen
Courtesy of the Shelbourne Dublin / Hotels.com

Situated on the edge of St Stephen’s Green, with its fountains, swans and children’s playground, the Shelbourne is a perfect place for a family city break. The hotel offers a children’s menu, babysitting services and interconnecting rooms. It’s also just down the street from the city’s main shopping and entertainment area.

InterContinental Dublin

Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

Purple and beige suite at InterContinental Dublin
Courtesy of InterContinental Dublin / Hotels.com
Located in the affluent Ballsbridge area of south Dublin, the Intercontinental offers a fine start for families. The spacious family rooms sleep two adults and two children, with interconnecting rooms available. Aside from the excellent swimming pool, the hotel has a two-acre (0.8ha) private garden to explore and is close to Sandymount Strand, one of Dublin’s most popular beaches.

The Fitzwilliam Hotel

Hotel, Luxury

Purple and pink guest room at The Fitzwilliam Hotel
Courtesy of the Fitzwilliam Hotel / Hotels.com

Families are drawn to the Fitzwilliam for its location at the top of the famous Grafton Street, on the edge of St Stephen’s Green and in the heart of Dublin’s entertainment district. Guests get a discount on neighbouring Cogs toyshop, children receive a welcome pack of goodies, families can enjoy bespoke menus in the restaurant – and there’s even a Wonka-themed afternoon tea. Rooms are spacious and, when interconnected, offer extra sleeping or living legroom.

Ariel House

Bed and Breakfast, Hotel

Courtesy of Ariel House / Expedia
Ariel House is a guesthouse created within three adjoining Victorian homes in south Dublin. The en-suite family rooms offer two double beds and are in the modern wing of the house. Rugby fans will appreciate the location, close to the Aviva Stadium – great if you’re off for a family day out. Breakfast produce is locally sourced, and the staff are proud of their honest cooking.

The Royal Marine Hotel

Spa Hotel, Hotel

The Royal Marine Hotel 2
Courtesy of the Royal Marine Hotel / Expedia

Located on Dublin Bay’s C-shaped coastline – with the Dún Laoghaire promenade, countryside and beach walks close by – the Royal Marine is a great choice for families. As well as its swimming pool and children’s menus, the hotel has executive family suites that include a king-size bed, sofa pull-outs and rollaways or cots, as needed.

Clontarf Castle Hotel

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Clontarf Castle Hotel
Courtesy of Clontarf Castle Hotel / Hotels.com

With its grand turrets and glowing lanterns, children will relish the chance to stay in a real Irish castle. The family package includes welcome packs for little ones, and the hotel is close to crowd-pleasing attractions such as Dublin Zoo – plus there’s plenty of open space to run around on Clontarf’s seafront promenade. During the festive season, it’s decked to the nines, making for a great pre-Christmas break.

Herbert Park Hotel

Hotel

Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin
© William Murphy / Flickr
In the picturesque Ballsbridge area of Dublin, the Herbert Park Hotel sits beside the city’s titular 48-acre (20ha) park. The family package includes in-room movies and pizza – a welcome treat after a day’s adventures in the city. Families can plump for the interconnecting rooms, comprising double and twin beds.

Ashling Hotel Dublin

Hotel

Ashling Hotel Dublin
Courtesy of Ashling Hotel Dublin / Expedia.com

Families staying at the Ashling Hotel will find themselves next door to one of the largest galleries in the country, the National Museum of Ireland, with its family-friendly exhibits, and across the river from the Guinness Storehouse. In short, it’s a great base for exploring the west side of Dublin. Family rooms can be configured as required, with interconnecting rooms available for extra space – and kids will have fun counting the treasure trail of cuddly sheep hidden around the hotel.

Dublin Skylon Hotel

Hotel

Dublin Skylon Hotel
Courtesy of Dublin Skylon Hotel / Expedia.com

Family rooms at the Skylon are decorated with comfort and relaxation in mind and can be kitted out with double beds and singles, as required. The area around the hotel has a number of dining options, from Italian Il Corvo to Irish Restaurant 104 (set in a building immortalised by James Joyce’s Ulysses). Access into the city centre is easy, too, with a major bus route embarking from the hotel’s front door and proximity to Croke Park stadium, an interactive sports skills and games’ zone.

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