We were in Dublin for a good time, not a long time, so The Dean was the perfect place to elevate our stay in one of the coolest cities in Europe. As much as we would have loved to stay longer to linger on the rooftop balcony over a few Guinesses and try the brunch menu at Sophie’s upstairs, or sample an Irish whisky at the entry bar, we found this place helped us to stay in style, while also hopping about Dublin easily. Definitely a superior crash pad, and one that we imagine would have some pretty awesome post-rock show parties.

The Dean was so damn great because of the attention to detail – the room card that was ‘The Key to A Deadly Time’, the cheeky do not disturb signs, the Smeg fridge and subway tiles in the bathroom, the vinyl player with well curated records (Chemical Brothers! Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks!), the craft beers and ciders and boutique snacks not to mention barber products, the punchy prints, bright rug and those blue walls! And that’s just the rooms. The bar downstairs is something out of an industrial ranch and the neon sign at check in claiming ‘I Fell in Love Here’…which we did…with the Dean Hotel.

Sophie’s

Beam up to the rooftop bar/restaurant called Sophie’s for a spin around view of lovely Dublin and some mighty fine food as well. Phil was rather chuffed with his bucket-style glass of gin and margherita pizza (we joke he could certainly do a margherita rating blog – it’s his firm go-to). I enjoyed the Pan Fried Hake Fillet, Asparagus, Courgette, Carrot Ribbons, Baby Potatoes, Dill Butter Sauce.

With booths, overhead wood beams and them views, it’s a sure fire bet for a classy casual meal that takes in the rooftops of this capital of the Republic of Ireland. We would have liked to linger for longer, but we were heading into town for a literary pub crawl of Dublin – which really was the craic!

We splurged on a Superoom, because YOLO and we only had one night in the capital before heading to Liverpool for some family time and our UK wedding party.  The Dean is located on Harcourt Street in Dublin 2 and is super easy access to town. It’s also right near the leafy St Stephen’s Green park, definitely worth a picnic or for those short on time a quick coffee, pastry and read on the lawn. What to read? Of course, Normal People by Irish author Sally Roonie – set in Dublin and longlisted for the Booker Prize (it’s kinda outrageous it wasn’t shortlisted to be honest)!