The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin – Five Star Luxury
Our Stay in Photos
The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin is a luxurious Five Star Hotel in the heart of Dublin City and last Sunday Patrick and I had the absolute pleasure of staying there on invite. It was for one night only but was an evening, night, morning and afternoon (in that order) to remember.
Both Patrick and I were familiar with the Fitzwilliam Hotel before we stayed. How could one not be, after all it is the only five-star hotel in Dublin with a Michelin starred restaurant (Thornton’s). However I had dined at the hotel with my sister at Inn on the Green for Late Afternoon Tea and Patrick had, in the past, attended a professional course there. It was hosted in one of their conference rooms.
To say we were excited about our stay was an understatement. We had considered bringing our beautiful ten month old son Smith with us but decided to make it a well deserved date night, just us two … and with Granny gratefully on babysitting duties we left the comfort of our own home and headed into the bright lights of Dublin City to the luxurious comfort of our new home for the night, the Fitzwilliam.
We drove to the hotel, and as we pulled up outside the main entrance there was no room for hesitation about where or how to park because we were warmly greeted by Jarkko (Guest Relations Manager) with a sincere smile and handshake. He arranged for our luggage to be brought inside, our car to be parked and welcomed us to the hotel for our five-star stay.
Check in was a breeze, with the usual signatures requested and then it was on to our room for the night which was on the fourth floor. Our luggage was brought to the room for us (of course) and time for dinner at Citron Restaurant was confirmed.
Styled by world-renowned Interior Designer Sir Terence Conran, the Fitzwilliam Hotel has a modern yet timeless chic about it. Rich colours and patterns fitted to perfection with hints of yesteryear’s old school charm.
Our room with its king-size four-poster bed, abstract box patterned carpet, striped drapes and boxed designer seating with chequered furnishings felt spacious and could have felt cold but the use of the large gold mirror, soft woollen bed throw and warm lighting along with the mix of rich colours, the room felt far from cold. It was warm, inviting and luxuriously comfortable.
The bathroom again felt spacious with its white colour scheme. Matching robes hung waiting for us and so too was the big deep bath, large enough for two. Complimentary toiletries came in the shape of H20 Plus bath products which are made from natural ingredients.
There were delicious macaroons waiting for us and we enjoyed these along with a glass of bubbles from our room’s personal balcony that looked out onto Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street. Fantastic.
Before dinner we took a stroll down Grafton Street, stopped into a local bar for a glass of wine and paid a visit to Brown Thomas for a little beauty retail therapy, for me. It was a perfect evening for it, fresh with a little bite in air and no rain. We returned to a dusky evening sky and the turn-down service.
Dinner was at Citron Restaurant and our host for the evening was Jac. He was an absolute pleasure to talk to. I have to mention that along with the tasteful (and tasty, not to mention great value) menu created by Head Chef Philip Mahon and the quality of our meals, he made our dining experience one we look forward to experiencing again.
Our menu was the Saturday & Sunday Menu (midweek is different). We decided, like we normally do, to share our starters. I chose the Selection of Charcuterie with pickles and chutney and Patrick chose the Chicken Liver Pate with chutney and brioche. The charcuterie selection was tasty and went really well with the bread offered. The pate was creamy and moreish.
For our main course, I decided to try the 10oz Rib Eye Steak with tomato, fries, watercress and peppercorn sauce. I don’t normally choose rib eye steak because I don’t like the fat or grizzle that normally comes with it, however my steak which was ordered rare was delicious and meaty with little fat. Patrick chose the Salmon with broccoli, fennel and fig salad, which I was surprised at because it’s not normally a fish he’d opt for but the portion was very generous and he was left more than satisfied with his meal. We enjoyed a bottle of Jondor Merlot.
For dessert I chose the Peanut and Caramel Chocolate Tart with salted caramel ice-cream. I wouldn’t didn’t share it. Patrick chose the Apple Crumble Tartlet with custard and whipped cream. Along with an espresso neither our taste buds nor our bellies were left wanting.
We retired to our room for a short time after dinner before we took a walk and hit the town for a few drinks, we were on a date after all.
Returning to our room and the balcony which looked over the once bustling city later that night was memorable. Our night owl of a city was falling asleep and it was time for us to too.
Breakfast the next morning was served at the Mezzanine level of the hotel where Citron Restaurant is found at lunch and dinner time. The selection offered for breakfast made it hard to decide … Eggs Florentine … Smoked Kippers … Waffles … Pancakes, as well as every healthy breakfast choice you can imagine including smoothies, freshly pressed juices, porridges, fresh cheeses and meats. Surprisingly we both opted for a Full Irish, but we did order a side of their perfectly cooked Hollandaise, which I have to say went down a treat.
We were offered a late check out and we accepted it with loving arms. It was so nice to be able to chill in the room a little longer. We observed the city from our balcony as it kick started into another busy day.
Checking out, again was a breeze as we handed our key cards back to reception and made our way to the Inn on the Green for Late Afternoon Tea at 2pm.
Afternoon Tea was a foodie delight. As the menu changes throughout the year, it felt like a whole new experience for me even though I had experienced their Afternoon Tea before. We were treated to three tiers of innovative bite sized savoury and sweet deliciousness. Langoustine and Truffle Wanton with Saffron Aioli | Venison, Bacon and Blackberry Buns | Foie Gras Mouse with Apple Jelly and Chestnut | Smoked Salmon, Oyster Mayo, Cucumber and Caviar … were the highlights for me.
We shared two pots of two types of tea. The first was Yogi Tea – Lemon and Ginger, and it was a refreshing kick-start. The second was Irish Cream, which was the perfect accompaniment for the final sweet tier of our Afternoon Tea.
To send us on our merry way, Patrick enjoyed a non-alcoholic cocktail of berries and fresh fruits and I enjoyed the Late Afternoon Teas; Cucumber Cup which was made of Hendricks Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lime Juice, Sugar Syrup, Muddled Cucumber and Mint Bitters … and it was everything I love in a cocktail; the right balance of sweet and sour, elderflower and of course the right kick of quality gin (I’d love one now!)
Our experience at the Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin was memorable. The hotel itself is stylish and chic yet inviting. The food and drink offerings of breakfast, lunch and dinner is everything you’d expect from a five-star hotel, and more, which makes us want to return for more … and we plan to. However it was the Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin staff who have engraved in our memory our five-star experience, because from the moment we were greeted outside its doors through to our check out at reception, we felt the sincerest of welcomes, witnessed five-star service and received the warmest wishes of farewell.
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