Press Information: Sue Lowry / Melanie Childs 

Magellan Public Relations 

Tel: 020 8875 2850; 

Fax: 020 8875 2851 

E-mail: [email protected]

THE MERRION DUBLIN'S BEST ADDRESS

The Merrion received its first international accolade just one month after opening in October 1997. FORTUNE, the magazine for America's top business people, awarded it 'Best Hotel Room in Dublin' in its 1997 annual survey of The Best Cities for Business. And Dublin was voted Europe's most improved city of the thirty-five nominated. The Merrion also went straight into the Michelin Guide with four red pavilions. Later, in July 1998, The Merrion became the only Dublin hotel to be awarded the 5-star classification from the Automobile Association. So far this year, The Merrion has been awarded the 1999 "Five Star Diamond Award" by The American Academy of Hospitality Science for the hotel's "outstanding commitment to service within the hospitality industry, designating The Merrion as one of the finest establishments in the world. Most recently in the 1999 annual "Best of the Best" nominations, the famous Robb Report in the USA voted Patrick Guilbaud the fifth best chef in the world and The Merrion itself, the third best boutique hotel in the world. In each case, this was the only occasion Ireland was mentioned. 

The hotel stands on Upper Merrion Street, in the centre of Dublin, opposite Government Buildings, the home of the Irish parliament. It was created from four magnificent Grade I Listed terrace houses - known as the Main House - and a specially commissioned contemporary Garden Wing arranged around two private gardens. One of the houses, No. 24, was the home of Lord Mornington. His son, the 1st Duke of Wellington, is said to have been born there. 

Peter MacCann, General Manager of The Merrion said: 

"We have given back the grace and elegance of the 18th century to four important landmark buildings and we have embellished them, invisibly, with 21st century technology. This combination, in the hands of our highly experienced staff, ensures that every guest is surrounded with comfort and service." 

The original drawing rooms in the Main House, with their rococo plasterwork and cornices, have been restored to their former glory. The interior of the hotel remains true to its Georgian origins. Alice Roden, a well known local designer and weaver, designed the guest rooms and public areas, using period colours, Irish fabrics and antiques. Alice had only ever decorated private houses before this job, and as a result The Merrion feels more like a well kept home than an hotel. 

The Merrion also boasts one of the most important and exciting private collections of contemporary art in Ireland, hung in the public areas for everyone to enjoy. And, true to the spirit of 18th century arts patronage, Martin Mooney, one of the country's foremost young artists, was commissioned to paint a series of murals for the neo-classical main stairwell. 

The hotel offers the choice of two restaurants and two bars. The renowned "Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud", the first restaurant in Ireland to have been awarded two Michelin stars, moved from its former site in Dublin to spectacular premises in The Merrion's Main House. For less formal dining, Morningtons offers contemporary food with Irish flair. Next to the restaurant the original 18th century wine cellars with their vaulted ceilings provide an atmospheric setting for The Cellar Bar, already a great favourite with Dubliners. Guests can also meet in "No. 23," the smaller cocktail bar on the ground floor. 

The Merrion's health and fitness centre, The Tethra Spa, with its 18 metre infinity swimming pool, offers exercise and relaxation in surroundings unrivalled in Dublin. A gymnasium, steamroom and a luxurious private treatment room make this a place to relax and let stress drain away. 

One of the most distinctive and unusual features of The Merrion is its gardens. The two landscaped period gardens were designed by Jim Reynolds, the noted Irish landscape artist, whose own gardens near Dublin were recently visited by HRH The Prince of Wales. The smaller of the two, known as "Lady Mornington's Garden" is purely decorative, linking the Main House to the new Garden Wing. The new wing completes the enclosure of the garden, so that many of the guestrooms enjoy views over the large central garden. Both gardens re-create the feel of an 18th century garden with box hedges, water features, pathways, statuary and obelisks. In summer, the large garden becomes an extension of the drawing rooms in the Main House, with waiter service so that guests can eat and drink outside on the terrace. 

In the 125 bedrooms and 20 suites clients benefit from the latest technology: multi-lined facility with 3 telephones in each guestroom; personalised voice-mail with remote access fax/modem lines; ISDN data port and video conferencing. Completing The Merrion's impressive list of facilities is a private car park with valet parking and a conference and banqueting centre with its own separate entrance. 

The Merrion is an independently managed and marketed hotel with a joint ownership of private investors. The Chairman of the Board of The Merrion's development company, Landmark Investments, is Mr Lochlann Quinn.

May 2001