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Dublin is a land of history, with a smattering of museums, galleries, statues, and Ireland’s oldest and grandest university, offering visitors plenty of places to indulge in the details of days gone by.
But the Irish capital has flourished into a tech and business hub over the last couple of decades, and its shiny new Docklands which have been unrecognisably transformed are home to what is undoubtedly one of Dublin’s best hotels.
What are the rooms like at Anantara The Marker?
The Docklands are full of so many glimmering glass facades that light ricochets at you from virtually every direction, but the accommodation at Anantara The Marker is quite the opposite. Inside our second floor Junior Suite, we’re enveloped by dark grey walls and royal purple carpets which would feel cavernous if it weren’t for all the space.
Its most luxurious details aren’t necessarily in the appearance, but in the comforts. The bed is gargantuan and ridiculously soft, and the windows do a remarkably good job of shielding us from the sound of drilling at a building site over the road. There are huge robes, plump slippers and a large TV.
The ensuite is a shiny, marble-clad room, almost completely grey and white apart from pops of yellow from the Aqua de Palma toiletries. There’s a freestanding rainfall shower which gets plenty hot enough, as well as a gargantuan bathtub. Oh, and the entire place is squeaky clean.
What are the best things to eat and drink at Anantara The Marker?
Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins is the hotel’s restaurant, and – unusually – it’s so good that I recommend visiting whether you’re a guest at the hotel or not.
We stayed on an early October weekend and enjoying breakfast here felt far from the poised atmosphere of a corporate hotel – instead, each table was packed with a gaggle of families piling their plates high with food from the vast and colourful buffet.
There’s a substantial a la carte menu (which features some warming Flahavans Irish porridge and plenty of cooked options), but with a feast which includes everything from granola pots and crispy bacon to Irish cheeses and bread and butter pudding, we felt more than satisfied with the buffet.
Even for dinner, this space is surprisingly vibey for a hotel restaurant – it must be something to do with the default joviality of Irish hospitality.
The bold, geometric-shaped ceiling is daintily lit by the glow of low-hanging lamps, and there’s a thrum of chatter from smartly dressed groups who seem to be in for celebrating dinners. We’re sat at the room’s periphery, a prime people-watching spot, and are gradually graced with course after course of elegant dishes. The amuse bouche was a smoky duck croquette, and our appetizers included a tart, crunchy autumn salad of chicory, pear and miso, and some melt-in-the-mouth Irish wagyu carpaccio – along with some soda bread, naturally. As for the main courses, the roast cod was easily my favourite.
For all afternoon tea fanatics, Anantara The Marker hosts a literary-inspired Poetry & Places menu with flavours that have all been inspired by Ireland’s landscapes – the tea starts at €65 per person, but you can add champagne for another €20 or go all out with some Bollinger Rosé Champagne for €100.
What’s the neighbourhood like around Anantara The Marker?
Anantara The Marker is one of the slew of buildings which has shot up in Dublin’s glossy Docklands neighbourhood after the last 20 or so years, and it’s a decent location to base yourself. The airport is a 20-minute drive away, and you can walk to Temple Bar in just 15 – though it’s worth the short detour via Merrion Square to say hello to Oscar Wilde’s statue.
The main landmark nearby? Well, that’d be the futuristic Bord Gais Energy Theatre, which is immediately opposite the hotel. It’s the largest fix-seat venue of its kind in the country, and it plays host to major Broadway and West End shows.
What are the facilities like at Anantara The Marker?
Head to the hotel’s mezzanine floor and you’ll find the luxurious, cocoon-like spa, which offers hallmark treatments like the Anantara Signature Massage and the Thai Qi Flow (both a nod to the brand’s Thai origins) as well as access to an infinity pool, sauna and steam room. Oh, and it’s free entry for all guests of the hotel.
In the summer months, guests can enjoy drinks and snacks from the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop, as well as the occasional yoga class.
As for other facilities, the room service is 24-hour. The menu is big and includes some impressively tasty dishes such as seafood chowder and a lip-smacker turkey club sandwich.
You should also make the most of the activities on offer via the concierge, which includes wild sea swimming, and booking onto the Docklands Storytelling Tour.
DETAILS
Address: Grand Canal Quay, Docklands, Dublin, D02 CK38, Ireland
Price: starting from €449 per night, breakfast included.
Closest transport: Dublin Airport is a 25-30 minute drive away from the hotel
Book now: via Booking.com
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