HOTEL REVIEW: The Chancery at Dublin one year on

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Greeted at check in by Francesco Mele and Beatrice Cozma

The seagulls were chanting my name as I lurched off to sleep at Dublin’s Chancery Hotel, for one of the most satisfactory night stays of the man y thousands I have sampled across six continents. 

The view was as Dublin as you can imagine, the record tower and royal chapel of Dublin Castle. If Hugh O’Neill was planning his escape, we could have offered him a comfortable stay on a Irish-made King Koil mattress.

Visitors to The Chancery Hotel in Dublin can expect a luxurious, modern, and sustainable stay in the heart of the city’s historic center. 

Located on Ship Street Great in Dublin 8, next to Dublin Castle and a short walk from St. Stephen’s Green, Grafton Street, and Trinity College, this 4-star independent hotel, opened in March 2024, offers 150 spacious guest rooms designed for comfort and calm.

We were greeted on check-in by Francesco Mele and Beatrice Cozma, first encounter of a hugely helpful staff. It is encouraging to find people who offer to help at every turn, to stop cleaning a corridor to fetch a bath robe to offer to help with bags (we declined), or any other conveniences.

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Modern rooms, the lights automatically come on and the curtains open

Accommodations: 

Rooms are contemporary, featuring air-conditioned spaces with soundproofing, walk-in showers, free Wi-Fi, 55” smart TVs, fridges with complimentary water and laptop safes. 

Thoughtful touches include VDA-controlled blackout blinds, bedside USB ports, and sustainable materials like herringbone hardwood floors and natural linens. Votary toiletries are supplied in the bathroom.

Our room 509, like the four exclusive suites, offer balconies with views of Dublin’s skyline. Guests describe rooms as clean, modern, and quiet.

Dining

The hotel’s Fawn restaurant serves casual fine dining with an Italian-inspired menu, from small plates to hearty meals, overlooking a landscaped walled garden.

We were served a delicious dining experience by amazing Mauritius-born chef Ashvind Candhye: Our choice of starters were 

  • apple & pear salad, red wine poached pears & candied walnuts, apple, endive & heritage beetroot salad, truffle, honey & wholegrain mustard vinaigrette
  • grilled prawns, romesco sauce, pickled fennel, smoked almonds, apple 
  • Roasted hake, pressed potatoes, bacon, roast cauliflower, smoked clam butter, 
  • John Stone fillet steak chateaubriand, caramelised onion, sautéed spinach, fries, pepper sauce,

The Chancery Cocktail Bar offers bespoke cocktails and all-day dining, while a café provides coffee and sweet treats. The pint of Guinness was beyond hotel standards and superior to some fo the renowned local traditional pubs 

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Breakfast options are more limited, but include a highly rated buffet or full Irish spread with black and white pudding, sausages and eggs. The porridge was deliciously creamy, best porridge I have tasted for a while, try it with some fruit and honey. 

Treatment room

Wellness and Amenities: 

The Wellness Hub is a standout, featuring a sauna, steam room, Turkish Hammam, massage shower, and a 24/7 gym. 

While there’s no full pool, a WaterDream Mini Pool with whirlpool modes offers relaxation. The spa facilities are intimate and smaller than elsewhere but great for unwinding after exploring Dublin. The Jo Browne facial, handmade in Ireland, comes highly recommended from Mrs. Corry.

The hotel also provides concierge services, a 24-hour front desk, and meeting spaces, including a boardroom for 16 and acoustic pods for private calls.

Cocktail bar

Sustainability and Location: 

As a LEED Gold-certified and NZEB-status hotel, The Chancery prioritizes eco-friendly design, using natural materials and energy-efficient systems. I

The LUAS tram and Dublin Bikes are nearby for easy city access, and discounted parking is available at Q-Park Christchurch, a two-minute walk away.

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The hotel’s modern tech, like automated bathroom doors and lighting, adds convenience. You will not get closer to Dublin’s signature attractions, the Castle grounds are virtually an adjacent garden to the hotel, the Chester Beatty is next door, the city centre, temple Bar and Guinness Storehouse a manageable and pleasant walk. 

View to Dublin Castle

One of Dublin’s finest legacy pubs, the Long Hall is just around the corner. Pints come in at €2 cheaper than Temple Bar. The historic neighborhood—named one of the world’s coolest by Time Out Magazine—puts guests steps from Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and cultural hotspots like Temple Bar. 

The opening of the Dublin Royal Convention Centre next door has changed the hsoitality dynamic of the neighbourhood.

The hotel doesn’t offer an airport shuttle or allow pets, and there’s no full pool. Some guests suggest breakfast quality could improve, and a few reported minor service delays. 

The Chancery delivers a blend of upscale hospitality, thoughtful design, and a central location, ideal for business or leisure travelers seeking a modern yet culturally immersive Dublin experience.

So close it could be a garden for the hotel: the site of the original Dubh Linn, form which Dublin gets its name
S=Prawn at the Fawn: grilled prawns, romesco sauce, pickled fennel, smoked almonds, 
Samuel from Sao Paolo brings joy to the dining experience
Eoghan Corry with Ashvind Candhye of the Chancery Hotel
Roasted hake, pressed potatoes, bacon, roast cauliflower, smoked clam butter, Fawn restaurant at the Chancery Hotel
ohn Stone fillet steak chateaubriand, caramelised onion, sautéed spinach, fries, pepper sauce, Fawn restaurant at the Chancery Hotel, beside Dublin Castle: 
The sunken garden adds to the dining room ambience
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