Set in beautifully maintained Victorian houses with private gardens
Lavish period interiors with individually sourced antiques
Located in the leafy Ballsbridge neighborhood, near the Aviva Stadium
Traditional rooms include flat-screen TVs and many overlook the gardens
Sumptuous suites with ornately carved four-poster beds and crystal chandeliers
Generous afternoon tea and quality breakfast cooked to order
Drawing Room with plush upholstery, honor bar, and grand piano
Free on-site parking (though limited) and free Wi-Fi
Decor might be a little old-fashioned for some tastes
Bathrooms on the small side
Some rooms feel a little dated
Little effort has been spared in recreating an authentic Victorian experience in this quaint Ballsbridge hotel -- from handpicked antiques to meticulously maintained original features, you really get a sense of stepping into the 19th century. Rooms continue the theme, though some can appear a little dated, while the hotel's traditional afternoon tea is a real treat. Location is key -- it's perfect for the Aviva Stadium, and Dublin city center is about 20 minutes away on foot (transport links are also good). Rates are generally reasonable for the area, but if all this period feels a little passé, check out the modernized Sandymount Hotel just down the road.
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Scene
Beautifully maintained Victorian bed and breakfast
Housed across three conjoined Victorian redbrick houses, this charming guesthouse has clearly gone to great lengths to recreate the elegant period chic of its 1850s origins. Antique furniture and pieces of Victoriana have been carefully sourced and original details such as stained glass windows, ornate cornices, and marble fireplaces have been preserved and renovated resulting in impressively atmospheric interiors. Adding to the homey ambience, the smell of home cooking often wafts through the high-ceilinged corridors, and the occasional creaky floorboard emphasizes the building's historical heritage.
Location
Situated in leafy Ballsbridge in Dublin 4 within view of the Aviva Stadium
Ariel House is located on leafy Lansdowne Road in Ballsbridge, a quiet residential part of Dublin 4 also known as the Embassy Belt. The Aviva Stadium is a few minutes' walk away and can actually be seen from both front and back gardens. Lansdowne Road station is just around the corner, with trains into Dublin city center every 15 minutes. The city center can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. It's 10 to 15 minutes by car to lively Temple Bar, or a 10-minute drive to the Convention Center.
Rooms
Traditionally styled rooms with garden views and choice antiques
Located in the modern wing of the house, eight standard rooms are individually decorated in a traditional style with dark-wood furnishings and views over the gardens. Situated in the main house, Superior rooms feature choice antiques and are more spacious. All include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, while modern bathrooms provide hairdryers, and many have bathtubs. Suites feature elegantly carved four-poster beds and crystal chandeliers.
Features
Generous afternoon tea served on vintage china
Ariel House specializes in a sumptuous traditional afternoon tea comprising of a wide selection of tarts and cakes served on vintage china cups and white linen; tea can even be swapped out for champagne. The Victoriana continues in the hotel's Drawing Room, with sink-into armchairs, honesty bar, and grand piano. Daily newspapers are also provided free of charge, as well as free Wi-Fi throughout the property. A quality breakfast is served each morning, with both a buffet and cooked-to-order options.
