11 Of The Best Hotels In Temple Bar In Dublin

The best hotels in Temple Bar, based on the excellent feedback I’ve consistently received from tourists I’ve recommended them to, are The Hard Rock and The Harding.

When it comes to picking where to stay in Dublin, I generally recommend several other areas over the Temple Bar district.

However, Temple Bar remains a popular base for visiting tourists to explore the city from:

• The advantages: Very central, plenty of pubs with live music and some brilliant hotels
• The disadvantages: The area has plenty of tourist traps and it tends to be rowdy at times 

Below, you’ll discover where to stay in Temple Bar regardless of your budget. Dive on in!

The best hotels in Temple Bar

The first section of this guide is packed with what I think are the best Temple Bar hotels, from the U2 hotel to some long-standing favourites.

Note: if you book a hotel through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. The NYX (previously the Hard Rock Hotel)

The best of the Temple Bar Hotels, since opening 4 years ago, is the Hard Rock, located away from the busy area in a plush building on Exchange Street Upper.

However, as of August 1st, 2024, it’s under new ownership (part of the Leonardo Hotel Group) and rebranding to the ‘NYX Hotel’.

I can only speak to this hotel when it was the Hard Rock, but the Leonardo Group operates many successful hotels across Europe.

Therefore, I expect this hotel to remain a great choice. With that said, I’ll review it again in the coming months just to be sure.

The property features 120 luxurious guest bedrooms and suites furnished using warm fumed woods, fresh stone surfaces and bespoke Ulster carpets. 

2. The Harding

So, if you want to stay in Temple Bar yet you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of it, the stylish Harding Hotel is worth considering.

It’s located on the very edge of Temple Bar, on Fishamble Street, right across from Christ Church Cathedral and just down from Dublin Castle.

Situated inside a historic Victorian building, The Harding boasts 52 well-appointed bedrooms with every comfort you’ll need.

It’s also right next to Darkey Kelly’s – one of the best live music pubs in Dublin!

If you’re looking for Temple Bar hotels with great reviews away from the busy area, look no further.

3. The Morgan

Sitting next door to the tourist-favourite Hard Rock Cafe on the Trinity College side of Temple Bar is the very popular Morgan Hotel.

With 168 guest rooms, it’s one of the larger hotels in Temple Bar, and it comes equipped with an on-site bar and restaurant.

Standard rooms are spacious, airy and furnished in relaxing shades of grey, with pastel pink and green notes.

A short stroll from many of the city’s top attractions, few boutique hotels in Dublin offer a location as central.

4. Temple Bar Inn

You’ll find the Temple Bar Inn on Fleet Street right across from the Palace Bar (one of the more historic pubs in Temple Bar).

This is a relaxed boutique hotel that’s a 3-minute walk from both Trinity and busy O’Connell Street.

With over 100 rooms to choose from, it’s a simple and chic spot that’s a great base to tackle the best things to do in Dublin. 

Everything feels fresh here and their generous breakfast selection is great too, covering everything from full Irish and vegan signature breakfasts to a cracking continental selection.

5. The Fleet

Another on Fleet Street, The Fleet is one of the area’s more long-standing hotels and it has recently undergone a major refurbishment to make your stay even more enjoyable.

The Fleet was once home to Bewley’s Café (the early 1900s) – one of Europe’s finest Tea Houses!

The 93 rooms are clean and decorated in a classic modern style, while the deluxe double bedrooms ramp up the luxury if you want to pay a little extra.

The Fleet is also the owner of the Fleet Terrace, a little garden space that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of the area.

6. The Clarence

The Clarence offers some of the most unique accommodation in Temple Bar. Dating back to 1852, the 4-star Clarence Hotel is a Dublin icon that offers great views over the Liffey.

Located along the quays a short stroll from the Ha’penny Bridge, it was previously owned by Bono and The Edge of U2, though don’t expect to bump into them at the Hotel’s famous Octagon Bar.

The Clarence offers 58 stylish rooms and suites, including a renowned Penthouse Suite, featuring custom-designed Irish furnishings and vibrant decor.

If you’re looking for hotels in Temple Bar a short walk from the action, but still well away from it, this is a worthy contender for your attention.

7. Temple Bar Hotel

The last of the Temple Bar Hotels in this guide is the aptly named Temple Bar Hotel on Fleet Street.

Under a 4-minute stroll from the likes of Gogarty’s and the famous Temple Bar Pub, this is a stylish stay a stone’s throw from the Book of Kells at Trinity.

This 4-star accommodation has 136 rooms, ranging from family rooms to junior suites.

For food and drinks, there’s the lively Buskers Bar or you have many of the top restaurants in Temple Bar, like Rosa Madre, on your doorstep.

Excellent hotels near Temple Bar

Many of the top hotels in Dublin are located within a short ramble of Temple Bar.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from The Arlington and Wren Urban Nest to some of the best hotels near Temple Bar for families.

1. The Morrison

Although it isn’t one of the stand-out 5 star hotels in Dublin, there’s an awful lot to like about The Morrison.

Keeping the noise of Temple Bar at arm’s length from its fine position on the north side of the Liffey, The Morrison is an award-winning hotel owned by Hilton’s DoubleTree brand.

Standard rooms at the Morrison are ace – smart, spacious, modern and decorated in cool, neutral colours with purple touches, while the suites and penthouse will suit those with a chunkier budget!

Although there’s plenty of surrounding choice, check out the Morrison Grill, their large restaurant with wide windows overlooking Dublin’s quays and menus emphasising seasonal cuisine.

2. Wren Urban Nest

Located just off College Green on St Andrew’s Lane, near the Molly Malone Statue, the very cool Wren Urban Nest is one of the more unique hotels near Temple Bar.

This is Dublin’s eco-friendly haven and it was also Ireland’s first net carbon-neutral hotel. Here you’ll discover modern design colliding with sustainability across every aspect of the hotel.

The rooms, available in 10 sq.m Snug Nests and 12 sq.m Cosy Nests, feature Scandinavian-inspired decor, queen beds, and high-tech amenities like USB charging ports and remote-controlled curtains.

Guests enjoy local Irish products, from specialty coffee to bespoke toiletries, ensuring a cozy and comfortable stay in the heart of Dublin.

Check prices + see photos

3. Zanzibar Locke

Zanzibar Locke is across the water from Temple Bar and you’ll have to cross the now-ancient Ha’penny Bridge to reach it.

One of the reasons that I like this place is that it combines the comfort of a hotel with the connivence of home.

You’ll stay in a design-led apartment that blend pale pinks with Scandinavian-inspired decor while having he convenience of being able to cook from the comfort of your room.

There’s also a co-working space and a gym and you’ll find many of the best restaurants in Dublin a short saunter away. A handy spot to stay if you’re doing Ireland on a budget!

4. Arlington Hotel O’Connell Bridge

You can’t miss the Arlington Hotel, situated on the north side of the Liffey with its enormous American stars and stripes flag waving outside.

Situated on Bachelor’s Walk, right beside the O’Connell Bridge, this is a great base to explore from, especially if you’re spending 2 days in Dublin.

The Heritage guest rooms, which date back to the Georgian era (late 1700s to early 1800s), feature original architecture and views of the River Liffey.

The hotel also hosts ‘Celtic Nights’ – one of the most popular traditional Irish dance and music shows in the capital.

Explore Dublin beyond Temple Bar

Now that you have a good sense of the best hotels in Temple Bar, it’s time to explore the capital:

• Key attractions: Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse
• Walking trails: See my extensive Dublin walks guide
• Museums: The National Gallery, EPICHQ and the many museums in Dublin