Luxury Travel Advisor - March 2008 - (Page 14)

THE SHELBOURNE’s Heritage Parkview Suites (above) are outfitted with classic furnishings and modern technologies. THE PRINCESS GRACE SUITE at The Shelbourne can host families and small meeting groups (left). royal blue to amethyst, gold and chocolate and contrast with the simple oak furniture. The best views are from Deluxe Balcony Rooms 409 to 415, and from the smaller Riverview Rooms and Suites on the second, third and fifth floors, which overlook the river even from the bathrooms (all of which have Contemporal toiletries by Grace Leo Andrieu). Top of the lot are the openplan royal blue-and-gold Garden Terrace Suite, room 508, which has a large outdoor seating area, and the duplex Penthouse Suite, where American oak, local limestone, leather, suede and velvet blend. The Penthouse has two master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, two living rooms, an eight-seat dining room, a baby grand piano and a rooftop terrace with a hot tub. Anna Wood (marketing@ clarence.ie; 353-1-407-0804), director of sales and marketing, advises booking rooms well ahead of time, especially the suites, the Penthouse and the Garden Terrace Suite on rugby weekends in February and March, for St. Patrick’s Day week, New Year’s and from June to August. Contact concierge Arnaud Brissant (concierge@theclarence. ie; 353-1-407-0800) for chauffeured limousines, helicopter service and pampering sessions in the Therapy@The Clarence spa, available on Fridays and Saturdays, and on request (subject to availability) the rest of the week. The 44-room Dylan (www. dylan.ie), in a Victorian building in a quiet residential suburb not far from the city center, will appeal to clients who like vibrant, contemporary design. Silver walls, acid green-andgray couches, red-velvet padded stools, ornate gilt mirrors and oversize Versailles-style chairs combine in a clever juxtaposition of styles and colors in the lounge area. The bar has a long handmade Art Nouveau pewter counter and the adjoining terrace has heaters and large umbrellas that allow smokers to beat the vagaries of the Irish weather. The creamy white, brightly lit Still Restaurant contrasts with the mood-enhancing lighting in the entrance and lounge area. It has, reputedly, Ireland’s best wine list, and the emphasis is on fresh local produce; the 10-course tasting menu is very popular with savvy Dubliners. The Luxury and Style rooms (none connect) in the old house and modern wing have Seventh Heaven beds with Frette linens, iPods, Wi-Fi, bathrooms with heated floors and oversized Etro toiletries. For the most spacious accommodations, request one of six larger Experience Rooms, which have separate living areas and bathrooms with separate showers. We liked numbers 101 and 201, which look out on the front of the hotel, and we were intrigued by the large sun-burst mirror on the ceiling of 201. Tip: The most romantic room is 302, the Signature Room on the top floor. High windows and sloping ceilings make it a cozy hideaway, made dramatic by an amazing Dracula Castle-style king-size bed. Request it for honeymooners. With a two-to-one staff-toguest ratio, service standards are the highest, says General Manager Siobhan Delaney (sdelaney@ dylan.ie; 353-1-660-3000). For special queries, contact Delaney or Sales Manager Barry Francis (barry.francis@dylan.ie; 353-1660-3000), who says to book well in advance (reservations may also be made via the GDS). Head Concierge Patrick Fitzgibbon (concierge@dylan. ie; 353-1-660-3000), or the front desk staff, which is on duty 24/7, can arrange spa treatments in guests’ rooms or in a nearby day spa, as well as consultations with personal stylists at Harvey Nichols, one of Dublin’s swankiest department stores. 14 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | March 2008 http://www.dylan.ie http://www.dylan.ie

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Luxury Travel Advisor - March 2008

Luxury Travel Advisor - March 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Dublin: We Tour the Irish Capital’s Top Offerings Puglia, Italy: Where to go for Complete Tranquility Small Meetings: Inspiring Settings for your Corporate Client The Thompson Beverly Hills: Bold New Style Arrives in Southern California US Grant: Unabashed Luxury in Downtown San Diego Sailing the Danube: Low-Key Luxury on River Cloud II Sin City Spas: The Latest From Some of our Favorite Las Vegas Retreats Bob Boulogne: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts' COO Targets Elite Travel Advisors The Pulse Exotic Car Rental Jetset Report Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - March 2008

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