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During a recent stay at The Dean Docklands, formerly The Mayson, Sarah Gill enjoyed a top tier guest experience where she relished the easy warmth and offbeat charm that made her feel right home while in the heart of the buzz.
About ten years ago, I first stayed at The Dean as a fresh-faced teenager up from Roscommon to the big smoke for a weekend away with friends. In the intervening years, their locations have been a go-to for stays across the country, whether in Galway or Cork, and I’ve genuinely never been disappointed. So, when I rocked up to The Dean Docklands, formerly The Mayson, for a solo stay in the summer sunshine, I knew I was in for a treat.
Since their rebrand at the start of the year, The Dean have opened their first international hotel, The Dean Berlin, with plans for locations in Munich and Miami on the horizon. Closer to home, The Dean Docklands (formerly The Mayson) has joined the Irish contingent, and it’s all about bold design, rich textures and a sense of character that’s distinctly Dublin.
They say first impressions are everything, and The Dean Docklands didn’t disappoint. Before you even set foot inside the premises, the location is pretty perfect. Just a quick stroll to the 3Arena and close by all of the area’s best hotspots for good craic, it ticks all the boxes for socialising and entertainment while having its own lifestyle hub all under one roof. One thing I find hugely important in any hotel is the curation of a good vibe, an art which cannot be underestimated. Here, it helps that the hotel is set in a converted warehouse and townhouse right along the Liffey — it’s got an undeniably cool feel to it. No stuffy airs and graces exist in this space, and the reception staff put you instantly at ease.
Right beside the lobby, The Bottle Boy was already teeming with people soaking up the sunshine outside, and indoors, it’s got an intimate, cosy appeal that makes you want to settle in for a while. I was taken in (and totally charmed by) all the original details that date back to its inception as a Spirit Grocers in 1860. The cornices, fireplaces and flooring gave me plenty to zero in on while I sipped on my pint of Guinness.
Rooms range from cosy warehouse spaces to spacious suites. I stayed in The Warehouse Suite, complete with brick walls and river views. Sunlight flooded the space, and there was a separate living area to sit back and unwind. The bedroom featured a copper bath, a Netflix-enabled Samsung Smart TV, and a Marshall amp to hook up your tunes or catch up on your favourite podcast. How would any rationally-minded woman while away the hours before dinner other than by indulging in a spicy margarita (which was waiting for me in the mini fridge… they get it), and jumping around the room to some music? The Governors Ball was being broadcast on TV that evening, so you best believe there was a healthy mix of Lorde, Amyl and The Sniffers and Wet Leg coming from my room.
I feel this is also an appropriate time to talk about the lighting in The Dean Docklands. The bedroom was, quite literally, flooded with the most gorgeous summer sunshine. Naturally, selfies abound, but it also made getting ready in the morning with a cup of coffee by my bedside feel luxurious. I often find with hotels that you’re squinting into the bathroom mirror or standing by the ultimately very unflattering overhead lights trying to make yourself presentable, so the floor-to-ceiling windows really pulled their weight during this trip.
Six floors up, with Dublin as far as the eye can see in all directions, Ryleigh’s is a rooftop steakhouse that makes your mouth water as soon as you set foot inside. Starters range from beef carpaccio and prawns in a lobster bisque to mushroom risotto and duck leg, and they’ve got a range of delicious mains that will surely catch your interest, but it’s their ‘From the Grill’ section that really sings. I got a fillet steak with tobacco onions, pepper sauce and a side of buttery champ mash, and I’m still dreaming of it. Finish your meal off with the baked Basque cheesecake — the rhubarb ragu was almost biblical.
The next morning, I enjoyed breakfast here again, and I wouldn’t usually write home about a hotel brekkie, but Ryleigh’s changed that. Their full Irish is a breakfast of champions, seriously. Every element on the plate was elevated to new flavour heights. With pork belly, spiced up beans and tasty potatoes, it sets you up for the day very nicely.
Power, the fitness space, is not your average hotel gym. Think best-in-class fitness equipment and workout spaces, high-energy fitness concepts (including Climb, Pedal and Metcon) and a relaxing thermal suite for R&R post-workout (including a heated pool and sauna).
Upon checking out, I stayed in the lobby working on my laptop for a little while with beams of sunshine floating around me. The music is great, the coffee is even better, and the staff make you feel right at home.
Coming into the summer months, The Dean Docklands are running a ‘Sweeter Summer’ offer, with up to 25% off pre-paid stays of a minimum of two nights, so there’s no time like the present to plan your next Dublin city stay!
Find out more at thedeanhotels.com/locations/dublin-docklands.