Patsey Murphyvisits the Westin, Dulin
ON BUDGET DAY it was clear before breakfast that staying in was the new going out, but who could resist a stellar concert at Vicar Street, in Dublin, in aid of Amnesty International?
The appearance of Duke Special and Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy on stage together for a "piano play-off" was a one-off wonder, and they hammed it up and played their hearts out to the delight of the crowd. It was a perfect excuse for a night on the town and as good a reason as any to test out one of the "heavenly beds" advertised at the Westin.
Actually, it was only a matter of time before this column landed at the Westin, on Westmoreland Street, about 100 paces from the old Irish Timesoffices on D'Olier Street.
Having watched the construction of that hotel for years from our office windows, it was interesting to cross the street from the Westin and look down on the vast crater that was once The Irish Timeson Fleet Street.
The Westin was one of Treasury Holdings' first hotel developments, built after the Temple Bar Hotel and long before the Ritz-Carlton project in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. It had the misfortune of opening a week or so before 9/11, when the American tourists it had hoped to attract in great numbers became a lesser-spotted species.
The Westin is certainly in an ideal location - or so you would think - beside Trinity College and College Green. It describes itself as a five-star hotel. Hmm. Does it compare to other five-star hotels - say, the George V in Paris or the Mandarin Oriental overlooking Hyde Park in London? Or the Merrion Hotel, across from Government Buildings? I think not.
And it's not entirely the hotel's fault. It's our fault. It's Dublin's fault. Yes, it's opposite the Bank of Ireland, but it's also within spitting distance of the less-than-savoury run of convenience stores, public houses and fast-food joints that we have allowed to overtake the centre of Dublin. So, despite the Westin's charming doorman, excellent service, beautifully restored Banking Hall and famously comfortable beds, it's not exactly in a five-star location, is it, and isn't that Dublin's loss? We haven't many five-star locations left - even Dame Street is beginning to look tawdry and forlorn.
But, for all that, the Westin remains one of the most successful hotels in Dublin, with the most bed nights. This is possibly because it does have excellent beds, dressed with pure percale and Egyptian cotton linens and a choice of pillows.
You can buy the whole kit and kaboodle - box springs, the lot - and apparently many guests do just that upon checking out.
Our room on the fourth floor was completely peaceful and spacious, with Georgian-style mahogany bedsteads, gilt lamps and mirrors and prints of motifs from the Book of Kells possibly by Jim Fitzpatrick.
Complimentary bottles of water were to hand, as well as a fully stocked minibar with snacks, fruit juices, sparkling drinks, spirits, beer and wine.
There is 24-hour room service; curiously, the gym is open around the clock, too, for insomniac fitness fiends.
The marbled bathrooms have double-headed showers that you can angle for a good head-and-shoulder pounding. The toiletries come from Molton Brown, and you'll find velour robes hanging on the back of the door.
The rooms are well stocked with everything from kettles to safes, and you can get radio news via the television. Every service costs extra, including internet connection, which is €15 for 24 hours. Valet parking beneath the hotel costs €27 overnight or €4 an hour.
Breakfast scored 10 out of 10. I ordered porridge and was asked if I wanted it made with milk or water. How great is that? I chose the latter, then added some delicious warm berry compote. You can have anything from Belgian waffles to eggs Benedict - the full wally. Popular for business breakfasts.
The hotel lacks a proper lobby; you have to go upstairs to the atrium, where an enormous palm tree reaches up to a glass roof. Here you can take refuge, with rain pounding on the glass, and imagine yourself in Florida.
WhereThe Westin Dublin Hotel, Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, 01-6451000, www.westin.com/dublin
WhatFive-star hotel in a landmark building; the Banking Hall is still intact. A member of the Starwood group of hotels.
Rooms163 guest rooms, including 16 suites and one presidential suite.
Best ratesMidweek night booked on the internet €215, which did not include breakfast (or parking, or internet access, or . . .).
Restaurant and barThe Exchange Restaurant, on the corner of Westmoreland and Fleet Streets, remains very much a hotel restaurant, despite its location. The Mint Bar, in the basement, is popular for its cocktails, selection of wines by the glass and salsa and jazz nights - usually on Fridays and Saturdays.
AmenitiesA gym.
The glass-ceilinged atrium, with its unlikely palm tree, is a pleasant place for business meetings by day. Walt Disney World, Florida, comes to mind. Good food, excellent service, freshly baked biscuits served with tea and coffee.
AccessTwo lifts and a number of specially fitted rooms.
Child-frienlinessNo kids' club, but family rooms and interconnecting suites.