Stauntons on the Green

Stauntons on the Green is a boutique hotel with a guesthouse feel, occupying three 18th-century red brick buildings. There is one granite-topped reception desk in the foyer of the main house, a bright space due in part to the arched transom window over the bright red front door. Each of the townhouses has a pretty but rather sterile drawing room with small chandeliers, Victorian furnishings, almost empty bookshelves, and ginger jar lamps. The rooms are carpeted and have long windows with high-end draperies affording views of St. Stephen's Park. Narrow, carpeted banister staircases lead to the rooms, and the property lacks elevators. The landings have long, arched windows and Victorian chairs providing a nice reading perch. The restaurant has an old-school elegance, with thickly carpeted floors, wooden tables and chairs upholstered in velvet, and sconces providing soft lighting. Overall, the property is a good choice for those who want to explore the city on foot.

Stauntons on the Green is near other historic properties and government buildings in a quiet central Dublin neighborhood that's within walking distance of popular attractions. The hotel is right by St. Stephen's Green, while the private Iveagh Gardens are situated behind the property. The National Concert Hall is a four-minute walk from here, while Grafton Street, a main shopping area, is seven minutes on foot. Other nearby sights like the National Library of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, and the National Gallery of Ireland are all about a 10-minute walk away, while Trinity College and St. Patrick's Cathedral can be reached in 12 minutes. Dublin Castle is a 15-minute walk, while the popular Temple Bar area is 17 minutes away on foot. The Guinness Storehouse is an eight-minute drive or around a half-hour by public transit (it takes about the same time walking). Connolly Railway Station is about a 15-minute drive or 20 minutes by bus (a bus stops down the street from the hotel). Dublin Airport can be reached in 20 to 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic, or it's 40 minutes by bus.

There's a country house feel to the guest rooms at Stauntons, which are spacious and individually decorated with traditional furniture and patterned carpets. The wide, mullioned windows have draperies with tassel tiebacks and some have fabric valances. Some guests report noise from the street and suggest booking a room facing the back, particularly in summer due to noise from open windows as there is no air-conditioning.
All rooms have electric kettles for coffee or tea, TVs, telephones, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are quite small with sliding glass door shower stalls or tub/shower combinations with power showerheads. They have traditional porcelain fixtures and some have nickel faucets with vintage porcelain hot and cold knobs. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

The free Irish breakfast is a big draw at Stauntons on the Green, with guests complimenting the hot porridge, sausage, bacon, and brown breads that are among the dishes on offer. Guests who depart too early for the Irish feast are offered a continental breakfast of cereals, yogurt, toast, and coffee or tea. In 2014, the hotel opened a restaurant on-site serving a traditional Irish dinner menu and afternoon tea. Wi-Fi and daily newspapers are free. The front desk, which is staffed 24-hours, can arrange a variety of specialized tours such as literary walking tours or historic pub crawls. The front desk will also provide electrical adaptors to borrow for a fee, a safety deposit box, and luggage storage. Dry-cleaning and laundry services can be provided for a fee, as can airport transfers. A babysitter can also be arranged. The property does not allow pets, nor is it handicapped accessible. And note that there is no elevator.