Picolo recommends · Hotel in Dublin, Ireland
Dylan Hotel
A leafy street of embassies goes quiet after dark, except for one Victorian building where the bar is just getting going.
Ballsbridge is the green, well-off part of Dublin south of the canal, home to embassies and large red-brick villas. Dylan occupies a Victorian building on one of its quiet side streets, behind a facade that gives little away.
Indoors the mood changes: dark, deliberate interiors and a bar that draws the neighbourhood on Friday nights. The Aviva Stadium, where Ireland plays rugby and big concerts are held, is close by.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Dylan Hotel
Dylan is our choice for a calmer, more grown-up Dublin. It suits repeat visitors who have done the centre, and anyone with tickets for the Aviva, who can walk to the match and come back to a proper bar.
You are outside the centre. Grafton Street is roughly twenty minutes away on foot, which is pleasant once and tiring by the third time. On a first visit you may prefer to sleep closer to the sights.
What you get
- Bar popular with the neighbourhood
- Boutique rooms with a dark, styled look
- Quiet street in the embassy district
- Small-hotel service
- Leafy streets for a morning walk
A day at Dylan Hotel
- Morning
- A walk along the Grand Canal towpath towards the city.
- Midday
- Lunch in Ballsbridge or a short hop to Merrion Square.
- Afternoon
- A match or concert at the Aviva Stadium nearby.
- Evening
- Cocktails at Dylan's bar once the neighbourhood arrives.
Location
Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland
Open in MapsQuestions about Dylan Hotel
How far is Dylan Hotel from the city centre?
It is in Ballsbridge, around twenty minutes on foot from Grafton Street. Taxis and buses make the trip shorter if the weather turns.
Is Dylan Hotel close to the Aviva Stadium?
Yes, the stadium is nearby in the same part of the city, which makes Dylan a popular base for rugby internationals and big concerts.
Who is Dylan Hotel best for?
Couples and repeat visitors who want a quieter district, stylish rooms and a good bar, rather than a base right among the main sights.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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