Nicola Brady

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Every year, a wealth of new hotels open in the capital – a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. That can, however, make it rather tricky to decide which hotel to choose. But worry not: we have slept our way across the city and hand-picked our favourites, to bring you this ultimate list of London hotels, from Mayfair to Shoreditch, and from budget to blowout (butler included).  Newcomers to our list include the all-new July in Victoria, apartment-hotels which opened in July 2025, and eco-hotel 1 Hotel Mayfair, as well as a few old classics we’ve re-reviewed just for good measure (hint: The Dorchester is just about as great as we remembered). We’ve got a brand-new number one too, but we won’t give that one away just yet. For everything from genuine good value stays to all-out, Zone 1 luxury, you’ll find something on this list for every kind of trip. Superb bars, great architecture, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world await you – here are the best hotels in London.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our list of the best Airbnbs in London Which area is best to stay in London? It’s not just the range of hotels that’s so impressive – you’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a neighbourhood to stay in London. The city is made up of a sprawling network of dynamic neighb

Luckily for the drinkers, you’re never, ever short of cracking pubs in Dublin. Sinking a pint of Guinness in one of these boozers is a right of passage on a trip to the city, and it’s likely that sipping the perfect pint is pretty high up on your itinerary list already.  The pubs here range from classic old man boozers to downright iconic Guinness havens, and there’s plenty of opportunities for cosy fires and trad music sessions thrown in too for good measure. One thing to know – unlike the UK, there aren’t many pubs that serve food in Dublin, so don’t expect any pub grub alongside your pint. But if you’re ready to get drinking, read on. These are the best pubs in Dublin.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Dublin🍲 The best restaurants in Dublin🍻 The best nightlife spots in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin This guide was written by Nicola Brady, a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

There’s always a good time to be had in Dublin. I’ve lived here for seven years, and have found that whatever I’m in the mood for – a quiet snoop around a gallery, a pint in a raucous pub, or a hike in the mountains – is easily found. And those Georgian buildings, riverside walks and cobbled alleys are easy on the eye, too. Nicola Brady Is two days in Dublin enough? You could easily spend the guts of a week tipping around Dublin and exploring at your leisure, but one of the best things about the city is how easy it is to see loads in a short time. Dublin is compact, walkable and easy to navigate, so you can pack a lot into just two days.     RECOMMENDED: 😋 The best restaurants in Dublin🍻 The best pubs in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Dublin  This guide was recently updated by Nicola Brady, a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

We get it. You arrived in Dublin and went straight for the classic boozers and the pints of Guinness. Well, when in Rome, after all. But after all those pints, there’s a good chance you’re craving something a little sweeter. Luckily, Dublin’s bar scene is as abundant as its pub scene, and you’ll find everything from cosy cocktail dens to craft beer and natural wine, and a few quirky spots along the way to keep things exciting (yes, even one filled with arcade games). Head to our best pubs list for the city’s classic boozers, but head here for the swanky stuff. Dublin’s got it. Here are our favourite bars, right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍻 The best pubs in Dublin🍲 The best restaurants in Dublin🪩 The best nightlife spots in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin This guide was written by Nicola Grady, a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Whenever the ‘best food in the world’ is discussed, Italian food is at the forefront of the argument, and with good reason. The simple mention of these classic dishes has people drifting off into a misty-eyed daydream, picturing perfectly charred pizza crusts and forkfuls of delicate tagliatelle.  You want the good news? The best Italian restaurants in Dublin are up there with the finest on the continent. The commitment to tradition and authenticity is admirable and devourable, the perfect precursor to a night exploring the Irish capital’s famous pubs and bars. Dublin is a foodie paradise, and these spots are leading the charge. RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best restaurants in Dublin📍 The best things to do in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Dublin  This guide was written by Dublin-based writer Nicola Brady. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

You can’t beat a quality Indian restaurant. Dublin is packed with them, covering everything from fine dining to dive in and devour spots, and the consistency is almost as remarkable as the flavours. Indian food in Dublin is delicious, to say the least. A fabulous feast at an Indian restaurant is pretty much the perfect way to begin an unforgettable Dublin night. Eat until you can eat no more (then try to eat a little more), then head to one of the Irish capital’s many pubs, and experience utter joy from start to finish. It all starts with the best Indian restaurants in Dublin. RECOMMENDED:🥘 The best restaurants in Dublin📍 The best things to do in Dublin🍝 The best Italian restaurants in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin This guide was written by Dublin-based writer Nicola Brady. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

When you’re drinking this much Guinness, you’ve got to eat. That’s an order. And luckily, Dublin is as known for its dining scene as it is for its best pubs, with a little something for every kind of craving.  From bargain eats to upscale tasting menus, we’ve got the whole range on our list. You’ll find small plates and orange wines, pizza slices bigger than your head, izakaya-style dining spots and glorious burgers (and that’s only naming a few). Here are the best restaurants in Dublin.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Dublin🏨 The best hotels in Dublin🏡 The best Airbnbs in Dublin 🏛️ The best museums in Dublin This guide was updated by Amy O'Connor, a writer based in Dublin. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

What’s the deal with Stoneybatter? This area feels like its own world, a quirky little fortress of cool in the heart of the city. Dubliners who’ve lived here their whole lives now mingle with trendy newcomers clambering to rent one of its cute little cottages. And on sunny days, locals and visitors alike perch by their doorways to catch some rays (most often over a glass of wine). Happily, the ’Batter is also fast becoming one of Dublin’s most exciting foodie areas, with neighbourhood restaurants luring gourmands from all over. Whether it’s the gooey, spreadable scalda ’nduja in Grano or the vegan cheese tower at Beo Wine Bar – yep, you heard us – you can certainly see why. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the 50 coolest neighbourhoods in the world If you only do one thing…  Wander over to Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed city park in Europe, and try to spot its herds of resident fallow deer. It’s technically its own district, but the best entrance is the one in Stoneybatter, at Parkgate Street. Hide from the rain Browse the cute boutiques on Manor Street – you can pick up excellent gifts from local designers and artists in Moo Market, while The Lilliput Press is a brilliant little bookshop with a winning focus on Irish writers. Take a novel over to Lilliput Stores and devour it over a coffee. Get cultured Drop by Arbour Hill, a military cemetery where 14 executed leaders of the 1916 Rising were laid to rest. Next to the memorial you’ll find the Irish United Nations Veterans Asso

Every so often, you stumble across a hotel that just feels right. And that, to me, is 1 Hotel Mayfair. The eco-luxury brand opened their London property in 2023, and all the little touches feel considered – think handwritten notes at turndown, plants at every turn and yoga mats in each room (along with the comfiest bathrobe of all time). This is a place where pared-back luxury meets sustainability, but done so seamlessly you don’t even realise you’re being green.  Why stay at 1 Hotel Mayfair? Walking into this hotel feels like walking into a forest. Step inside (the doors held open by bellhops in flat caps and leather trainers) and you’ll be standing under a gigantic dome of dripping moss, by a slatted stone feature with ivy creeping between the gaps. There are plants absolutely everywhere – they somehow keep 1,300 of them alive in the hotel, a feat I cannot fathom – along with loads of natural stone, warm wood and a reception desk made from a 200-year-old oak tree trunk, which fell in Sussex.  The air inside even smells better, thanks to their signature scent, a heady yet subtle mix of eucalyptus and cedar – I bought the candle in their West Hollywood hotel, and I guard that wick like Gollum. Go beyond the lobby, and you’ll find sumptuously stylish rooms, a killer restaurant and a cocktail bar you’ll want to cosy up in for hours. What else could you need?     What are the rooms like at 1 Hotel Mayfair? The 181 rooms have a pared back version of the overall aesthetic – think