Anantara The Marker Dublin hotel review: A blend of history and high-end style

Dominating the regenerated Docklands on the banks of the Grand Canal, this five-star retreat earns its spot in the fair city

Anantara The Marker Dublin offers respite in the heart of Ireland's capital city. Photo: Anantara

At what was once the end of an inland trade route signifying to traders bringing coffee, bananas and other exotic goods to Ireland that they had reached their destination, lies a towering contemporary hotel.

Anantara The Marker Dublin sits on Grand Canal Square in Ireland's Docklands neighbourhood. A modern haven with historical roots, this high-end stay in what is quickly becoming one of the Irish capital's hippest areas represents the Minor hotel brand's first property in the country.

Overlooking the waterfront, the hotel is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The National checked in to see what awaits at the historic location following its multimillion-dollar renovation from The Marker hotel.

The welcome

After an eight-hour flight with Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi, my family and I arrive at the hotel just as Dublin is waking up to go to work. Young professionals scurry across Grand Canal Square on their way to work while we check into the striking hotel. The bold exterior architecture is meant to resemble the crashing waves of the Irish Sea, while the hexagonal-shaped ceiling in the lobby is apparently inspired by Giant’s Causeway about 95km north of Belfast.

Chilled refreshments are available for travellers to help themselves to upon arrival, and we gladly indulge while the friendly receptionist informs us that despite our early arrival, our room is ready. Check-in is swift and friendly, and it's not long before we are headed directly to the sixth floor, with our luggage arriving a few minutes later.

The neighbourhood

Nestled at the tip of Dublin Docklands, the hotel is at the heart of a neighbourhood that brims with stories to tell. Originally a significant Viking settlement, the district has a street sign reading Misery Hill, alluding to the area's medieval period, when it was a departure point for lepers leaving Ireland to go on pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago. The area's history as an industrial heartland is symbolised at Chimney Park, a playpark at the base of a towering red brick 19th-century gasworks chimney, visible from many of the hotel's rooms.

This area is also now something of the Irish Silicon Valley, home to tech start-ups and the corporate offices of companies such as Airbnb, Facebook and Google. And the stunning Bord Gais Energy Theatre sits directly opposite the hotel, a cultural venue staging musicals, comedy, opera, ballet and more. The Aviva Stadium, or Lansdowne Road to the locals, is also in walking distance and is the place to go for football and rugby matches, plus international concerts – most recently Taylor Swift. Epic: The Irish Immigration Museum is nearby and well worth visiting for an insight into the history of the Irish diaspora. There's also a smattering of coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs within easy reach.

The room

The Roche Suite was named after Dublin-born architect Kevin Roche. Photo: Anantara

We have the pleasure of staying in the Roche Suite on the sixth floor, so named for its view of the Convention Centre Dublin, which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Kevin Roche, who was born in the Irish capital.

Draped in bold colours with velvety plush carpets – a hit with my crawling baby – dark walls and striking original artwork, the suite is huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Chimney Park and beyond, all the way to the waterfront. It has a separate living area complete with a dining table, a hallway with a small guest bathroom and a large en suite in the master bedroom, complete with his and her sinks.

Attention to detail is obvious via sumptuously soft throws, locally sourced water in glass bottles and a curated selection of reading material that sheds more insight on the city and its surrounds. Despite being in the heart of a bustling neighbourhood in the Irish capital, the suite oozes tranquillity and is the perfect hideaway after a day of sightseeing. This is enhanced by careful use of lighting leading to the room, with dark, sleek hallways that are illuminated only where they really need to be.

The scene

The pool at Anantara The Marker Dublin. Photo: Anantara

Lively, easy-going and elevated, the hotel attracts a mixed crowd, from families and couples on holiday, to professionals popping in for a post-work beverage or pre-theatre dinner.

The Rooftop Bar & Terrace is a very popular seasonal spot that comes with views of the Irish Sea on one side and the Dublin Mountains on the other. It gets very buzzy at weekends. The Marker Bar and Lounge in the lobby offers a decadent afternoon tea, with dishes and drinks inspired by the country's landscapes and poetry. Evening cocktails are also a draw here – both with in-house guests and Dublin residents.

The Anantara Spa is the place to go for a dose of tranquillity. A 23-metre infinity pool lies under a chandelier, lined by comfortable loungers. There's also a Jacuzzi, sauna and eucalyptus-infused steam room making it the perfect rainy-day retreat. It also has five treatment rooms where guests can indulge in Seabody treatments, an Irish organic brand exclusively available in Dublin at Anantara The Marker. Breathwork, long flowing Lomi-style strokes and a quartz eye mask combine to provide 60 minutes of sheer bliss.

The food

Food at Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins is locally sourced and changes with the seasons. Photo: Anantara

Breakfast is a daily treat with a curated buffet that ticks the less is more box. Rather than trying to include every breakfast food under the sun, the culinary team lay out a beautiful spread with a focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Home-made soda bread, freshly baked pastries and perfectly ripe strawberries are among the highlights. A la carte is also on offer, with items such as buttermilk pancakes and a full Irish breakfast, classic or vegan style.

Dinner at Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins is a fashionable affair, again championing local ingredients and offering a modern twist on Irish dishes. A wide, open kitchen adds to the spectacle, as do placards dotted around the restaurant explaining more about some of the ingredients such as the Irish dry aged beef that comes from County Longford or the Irish rainbow trout from the Little Arrigle River in Kilkenny.

I decide to try the vegetarian options and start with merinda tomatoes (€14/ $15), a dish that is presented like a work of art crafted out of carved tomatoes, pickled red onion slices, bright green herbs and crusty fired bread. My husband tucks into roasted king scallops (€22), gigantic and juicy. For mains, I go for a seasonal white asparagus dish that’s served with crisp purple potatoes, while my husband opts for rib-eye steak (€46) that's flame-grilled exactly as he likes it.

Highs and lows

The 23-metre swimming pool hidden away in this city hotel is a tranquil and unexpected treat, and the breakfast buffet is one of my all-time favourites.

Rooms don't have balconies or doors, which is a shame as it would be lovely to sit out on a warm evening and drink in the waterfront vibes.

The insider tip

The Rooftop Bar & Terrace at Anantara The Marker Dublin. Photo: Anantara

Take advantage of the proximity of the Bord Gai Energy Theatre and plan your visit to coincide with a show you're keen to see, and you’ll not only be in stepping distance of curtains up, but can tuck into an amazing pre-theatre feast at Forbes Street before you go.

The verdict

A historic hotel embedded in the centre of a gentrified neighbourhood with modern art, imposing architecture and a must-visit spa, Anantara The Marker Dublin manages to be hip, high-end and homely all in one breath. Well worth checking in.

The bottom line

Prices start from €350 for a deluxe room, including taxes and fees. Check-in from 3pm; check-out until noon; www.anantara.com/en/the-marker-dublin

This review was conducted at the invitation of the resort and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future.