This Dublin hotel features in Michelin Guide to best boutique hotels
The Georgian Townhouse's tagline is "Style Stays Here". On entering the sunken bar is already buzzing with visitors helping themselves from the well-stocked honesty bar. This was Christened the "conversation pit" by original designer and owner Sam Stephenson. The Dublin architect had invited the great and good from Ireland's public life to sit here for colourful parties and social events. Seen as something of a rebel in the swinging 60s his innovation and spirit are everywhere here. Time has been kind to the minimalist style. Staff are friendly and helpful, we were offered homemade cake and coffee on arrival after a walk from the city centre.
Sleeping Matters
A double room at Number 31 (Image: unknown)
Each of the 22 rooms has its own sophisticated style and character summoning Art Deco, Classic Hollywood and the Jazz Age. Our elegant suite was decorated in a rich light green colour and there was plenty of room to find your own space. We spent a comfortable afternoon here before going out for dinner. Luxury bedding and a Super King-sized bed added to a relaxing night's sleep after travelling and walking around the city centre.
Nice Touch
Featured in the Michelin Guide to Ireland's best boutique hotels, it also offers a stunning garden. The path runs between the mews and the townhouse. I enjoyed a morning coffee near the bronze statue of an angel which was resplendent under sunlight, falling Cherry blossoms in Springtime and colourful rows of flowers. At night guests warm themselves with a seat near the fire pit and enjoy a nightcap in the tranquil surroundings.
The gardens at Number 31 (Image: unknown)
Food For Thought
Delia's breakfast was a real highlight and she delivered the perfect Irish mammy welcome with a smile and a cooked fry-up. We sit at a table arranged like a traditional farmhouse. The food is sourced from local ingredients, I opted for the delicious Eggs Benedict which was followed by Delia's signature dish of baked cranberry and orange nut loaf. Her homemade granola served with yoghurt and fruit was also popular.
Drink In The Sights
For music fans, Windmill Lane Recording Studios is a popular attraction. It's perhaps closely associated with U2 and no fan of the Dublin four-piece will be disappointed but other classic records such as Kate Bush's Hounds of Love were partly recorded at the studios. I was given a detailed tour that featured stories about the resident ghost as well as former owner Van Morrison. Recent visits include The Edge and Bruce Springsteen. Right in the centre of Dublin is The Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience which even contains its own U2 room, the tour featured an international audience who enjoyed getting involved and asking questions. We were even invited to a live jam session. When there were no takers, a rendition of Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix from my school days came in handy.
Getting There
I flew with Ryanair from Edinburgh into Dublin, prices vary depending on when you book but can start as low as £14.99. A cab from the airport to the city centre is around €30. An Aircoach bus ticket from the airport costs approximately €12 for a return and stops close to the hotel. I also travelled around Dublin on the Do Dublin Hop-on Hop-off tour.
Rooms as the hotel start at £212 and includes breakfast, for further information visit number31.ie/
Ryanair and Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines service Glasgow and Edinburgh - Dublin and you can fly with Loganair and Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines from Aberdeen too
For more information please visit Ireland.com
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This Dublin hotel features in Michelin Guide to best boutique hotels
The Georgian Townhouse's tagline is "Style Stays Here". On entering the sunken bar is already buzzing with visitors helping themselves from the well-stocked honesty bar. This was Christened the "conversation pit" by original designer and owner Sam Stephenson. The Dublin architect had invited the great and good from Ireland's public life to sit here for colourful parties and social events. Seen as something of a rebel in the swinging 60s his innovation and spirit are everywhere here. Time has been kind to the minimalist style. Staff are friendly and helpful, we were offered homemade cake and coffee on arrival after a walk from the city centre. Sleeping Matters A double room at Number 31 (Image: unknown) Each of the 22 rooms has its own sophisticated style and character summoning Art Deco, Classic Hollywood and the Jazz Age. Our elegant suite was decorated in a rich light green colour and there was plenty of room to find your own space. We spent a comfortable afternoon here before going out for dinner. Luxury bedding and a Super King-sized bed added to a relaxing night's sleep after travelling and walking around the city centre. Nice Touch Featured in the Michelin Guide to Ireland's best boutique hotels, it also offers a stunning garden. The path runs between the mews and the townhouse. I enjoyed a morning coffee near the bronze statue of an angel which was resplendent under sunlight, falling Cherry blossoms in Springtime and colourful rows of flowers. At night guests warm themselves with a seat near the fire pit and enjoy a nightcap in the tranquil surroundings. The gardens at Number 31 (Image: unknown) Food For Thought Delia's breakfast was a real highlight and she delivered the perfect Irish mammy welcome with a smile and a cooked fry-up. We sit at a table arranged like a traditional farmhouse. The food is sourced from local ingredients, I opted for the delicious Eggs Benedict which was followed by Delia's signature dish of baked cranberry and orange nut loaf. Her homemade granola served with yoghurt and fruit was also popular. Drink In The Sights For music fans, Windmill Lane Recording Studios is a popular attraction. It's perhaps closely associated with U2 and no fan of the Dublin four-piece will be disappointed but other classic records such as Kate Bush's Hounds of Love were partly recorded at the studios. I was given a detailed tour that featured stories about the resident ghost as well as former owner Van Morrison. Recent visits include The Edge and Bruce Springsteen. Right in the centre of Dublin is The Irish Rock 'n' Roll Museum Experience which even contains its own U2 room, the tour featured an international audience who enjoyed getting involved and asking questions. We were even invited to a live jam session. When there were no takers, a rendition of Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix from my school days came in handy. Getting There I flew with Ryanair from Edinburgh into Dublin, prices vary depending on when you book but can start as low as £14.99. A cab from the airport to the city centre is around €30. An Aircoach bus ticket from the airport costs approximately €12 for a return and stops close to the hotel. I also travelled around Dublin on the Do Dublin Hop-on Hop-off tour. Rooms as the hotel start at £212 and includes breakfast, for further information visit Ryanair and Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines service Glasgow and Edinburgh - Dublin and you can fly with Loganair and Aer Lingus/Emerald Airlines from Aberdeen too For more information please visit
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Ricky Martin told me to trust him as he shoved me onto a surfboard and told me I wasn't going to drown. I can't swim. I'm pushing 30 and I don't even know how to float, something not helped by watching Titanic when I was four. But as Ricky, my 45-year-old surf instructor for the day reminded me, the ocean we are standing in on the coast of Northern Ireland was barely above my knees. He spotted a promising wave and told me to get ready to pop up, moving from a push-up into a crouched stance, on my foam board. I paddled and up I went, fighting every instinct to look down at the sea below. My first ride lasted only a few seconds, but for a moment, I didn't have time to second-guess myself or overthink. You do it, or you don't. And I did it. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Unlike me, Ricky always pictured himself as a surfer. 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Josh Milton was a guest of Tourism Ireland. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I fell head over heels for Europe's last hidden gem — it just got easier to explore MORE: Map reveals UK cheating hotspot where the most people have been unfaithful MORE: I went to the world's wettest Pride parade where everyone gets soaked
