Finding a place to stay in Dublin usually feels like a choice between two extremes. You either end up in a shiny, glass-fronted corporate box that could be in any city in the world, or you’re wedged into a cramped room above a pub where the bass from a nightly "traditional" session vibrates through your pillow until 2 AM. Then there is Stauntons on the Green Dublin.
It’s a funny spot because it doesn't try to shout. It's basically a row of three interlinked Georgian townhouses—numbers 83, 84, and 85—sitting right on the south side of St Stephen’s Green. Honestly, if you weren't looking for the discreet brass plaque, you might walk right past it thinking it was just another high-end residence for a local billionaire. But inside, it's one of the most interesting boutique stays in Ireland.
The Secret Garden You Won’t Find on a Map
Most people book this place for the view of the Green. And yeah, waking up to the mist rolling over the Victorian duck pond across the street is cool. But the real "if you know, you know" feature of Stauntons on the Green Dublin is out the back.
The hotel has its own private, landscaped garden. It’s surprisingly large for city center real estate. It’s got these quirky touches like chandeliers hanging from the trees and old-school stone sculptures. But here is the kicker: there is a small, unassuming gate at the bottom of the garden. If you have your room key, you can walk through that gate and find yourself directly in the Iveagh Gardens.
While St Stephen’s Green is the famous park everyone visits, the Iveagh Gardens are what locals call the "Secret Garden." It’s where you’ll find the sunken lawns, the rosarium, and that massive stone cascade fountain. Having a private "back door" entrance to one of Europe's most beautiful Victorian parks is a flex that even the five-star Merrion or Shelbourne can't really match.
Living in a History Book (Without the Dust)
These buildings date back to around 1750. That’s older than the United States. Because it’s a protected historic structure, the layout is... well, it’s quirky. Don’t expect a massive lobby with a revolving door and a fleet of bellhops. Instead, you get high ceilings, original cornicing, and marble fireplaces that actually look like they’ve seen some stuff.
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And they have.
- Gerard Manley Hopkins: The Victorian poet actually lived and died here. He wrote some of his most famous sonnets at a desk in this very building.
- Henry Grattan: The legendary Irish politician and orator who campaigned for parliamentary independence lived in these rooms after he retired.
- Cardinal John Henry Newman: He basically founded the Catholic University of Ireland right next door and called this house his home for a while.
Staying at Stauntons on the Green Dublin feels a bit like you’re part of that lineage. The current owner, the late Irish-American philanthropist Richard Driehaus, poured a massive amount of money into a restoration that finished around 2019. He was obsessed with preservation. He didn't just "renovate"; he curated. You’ll find an actual Harry Clarke stained-glass window—The Blessed Julie and Two Children—right there in the house. For art nerds, that’s a huge deal.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Let’s be real: historic townhouses have trade-offs. If you need a hotel with a massive gym, a subterranean spa, and a 24-hour business center with six printers, this isn't your place.
There is no lift.
I’ll say it again for the people in the back: there is no elevator. If you struggle with stairs, you absolutely have to request a ground-floor room. But the stairs themselves are beautiful—wide, winding wood that creaks just enough to remind you it’s authentic.
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The rooms are all different shapes. Some face the park (The Green), and some face the gardens. The garden-side rooms are deathly quiet. You’d never believe you’re a five-minute walk from the chaos of Temple Bar. The décor is "faded elegance" but updated. Think muted Farrow & Ball colors, heavy drapes, and furniture that feels like it belongs in a manor house rather than an IKEA catalog.
Breakfast and the "No Restaurant" Situation
One thing to keep in mind is that Stauntons is technically a guesthouse/boutique hotel hybrid. They don't have a full-service dinner restaurant. They do have a bar and a very cozy lounge where you can get a drink or a coffee, but for dinner, you’re heading out.
Luckily, you are in the culinary epicenter of the city. You’re two minutes from the National Concert Hall and five minutes from the top of Grafton Street.
The breakfast, though, is the real standout. It’s served in a bright, high-ceilinged room that catches the morning light. It’s a mix of a cold buffet (good granola, Irish yogurt, fresh fruit) and a cooked-to-order menu. The "Full Irish" here doesn't feel like the greasy spoon version; it’s high-quality local sausages, proper black pudding, and eggs that haven't been sitting under a heat lamp for three hours.
Is Stauntons on the Green Dublin Right for You?
This place is for a specific kind of traveler. If you want the "Dublin Experience" but you’ve outgrown the hostel stage and you find the big luxury hotels a bit too stuffy, this is the sweet spot.
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Stay here if:
- You actually like history and don't mind a floor that isn't perfectly level.
- You want to be able to walk to the Book of Kells, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the Gaiety Theatre in under ten minutes.
- You value a quiet night's sleep over having a "scene" in the hotel lobby.
Skip it if:
- You have heavy luggage and hate stairs (seriously, no lift).
- You need a swimming pool or a 24-hour room service burger.
- You prefer ultra-modern, "smart" hotel tech where you control the lights with an iPad.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
- Parking: Dublin 2 is a nightmare for cars. The hotel doesn't have a private lot, but they have a deal with the nearby Q-Park on Dawson Street. It’s still pricey, but it’s the best you’ll get in this part of town.
- The Secret Gate: Ask the reception staff about the Iveagh Garden gate hours. It’s usually open during park hours, but it’s worth double-checking so you don't get locked out.
- Room Choice: If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a garden-view room. St Stephen’s Green is beautiful, but the bus traffic starts early in the morning.
- Booking: It’s a small property (about 50ish rooms). It fills up fast, especially when there’s a concert at the National Concert Hall just down the road.
Stauntons on the Green Dublin isn't trying to be the fanciest hotel in the city. It’s trying to be the most authentic one. It feels like a home that just happens to have really good housekeeping and a killer breakfast. In a city that is rapidly modernizing, there’s something deeply comforting about a place that still cares about its original marble mantels and its hidden garden gates.
To make the most of your trip, try to time your visit for a weekday if you want the gardens to yourself. The Iveagh Gardens are a local favorite for lunch breaks on sunny days, but on a Tuesday morning at 9 AM, you'll feel like the only person in the city. Grab a coffee from the hotel, head through that back gate, and find a bench near the waterfall. It's the best way to start a Dublin morning.