The Westbury Hotel Dublin: 2026 Reviews, Prices & Tips

First-time visitors to Dublin often come across two questions before they book: who actually runs The Westbury, and whether the five-star label is marketing or substance. The answer to both begins with The Doyle Collection, the Irish hotel group that has owned and operated the property for decades, and a 2023 vote by Condé Nast readers that ranked it the number one hotel in Ireland (Leading Hotels of the World). This guide walks through the verified facts about rooms, dining, afternoon tea, pricing, and location so you can decide whether The Westbury matches what you are looking for.

Last checked: 2026-07-18

Property Name: The Westbury · Operator: The Doyle Collection · Star Rating: 5 stars · Address: Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland · Phone: (855) 334-6659 · Website: www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel

Who owns the Westbury Hotel Dublin?

The Westbury is owned and operated by The Doyle Collection, an Irish hotel group that runs eight luxury properties across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Doyle Collection was founded by the Doyle family, and the hotel’s flagship suite — the P.V. Doyle Suite — is named after the group’s founder (Forbes Travel Guide).

The Doyle Collection: owner and operator

The group positions itself around classic Irish hospitality blended with modern luxury. Each property in the portfolio operates with a degree of independence, but common brand standards include Irish-designed linens, locally sourced artwork, and a focus on personal service. For The Westbury, that means Lissadell linen on Sealy beds, original Irish paintings in guest rooms, and a concierge team that one travel writer described as “almost psychic” in their responsiveness (The Travel Magazine).

History of The Westbury’s ownership

The Westbury has been part of the Doyle portfolio for decades. It sits on the site of a former grocery store and was developed as a flagship Dublin hotel by P.V. Doyle himself. It remains one of the group’s most recognised addresses, listed with the Leading Hotels of the World consortium, which imposes its own quality standards alongside the group’s internal ones.

Is The Westbury a 5 star hotel?

Yes — the hotel is officially classified as a five-star property. That classification is stated on the official brand website and confirmed by every major booking platform that lists the hotel (The Doyle Collection). It also holds membership in Leading Hotels of the World, a consortium that admits only independently owned luxury properties meeting specific quality benchmarks.

Official star rating and awards

Beyond the star classification, The Westbury was voted the number one hotel in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, a recognition cited by the hotel’s profile on Leading Hotels of the World. The award is based on reader-submitted ratings across categories such as service, location, rooms, and food.

What the 5-star status means for guests

A five-star rating in Ireland typically implies 24-hour room service, concierge, on-site dining, valet parking, and a high standard of room finishes. At The Westbury, those translate to 24-hour room service, a pillow menu, designer toiletries from Malin + Goetz, 55-inch flat-screen televisions, and Nespresso machines in every room (Expedia). The ground-floor public spaces — marble floors, high ceilings, a grand staircase — are consistent with a five-star aesthetic. What to watch: the hotel does not have an on-site spa or pool. Guests who want those facilities use partner gyms such as Energie Fitness and BodyByrne training centre (The Travel Magazine).

What is the dress code for The Westbury afternoon tea?

Afternoon tea is served in The Gallery, the hotel’s ground-floor lounge. The hotel does not publish a strict written dress code, but the standard across luxury Dublin hotels for afternoon tea is smart casual. In practice, that means no sportswear, tracksuits, or flip-flops. Most guests wear collared shirts, dresses, blazers, or tailored separates (The Doyle Collection).

Recommended attire for afternoon tea

Guest reviews and editorial coverage describe an elegant atmosphere in The Gallery, with high ceilings, chandeliers, and uniformed waitstaff. Men typically wear a jacket or a smart sweater; women wear dresses or smart separates. Ties are not required. The hotel also serves afternoon tea in its bar area, Balfes, where the setting is more relaxed and the dress standard is correspondingly less formal.

Does the dress code apply to all dining venues?

No — the dress code expectations vary. Balfes, the all-day bistro with a 20-seat outdoor terrace, operates with a more casual feel described by Forbes Travel Guide as blending a New York brasserie vibe with Parisian elegance. Wilde, the hotel’s main restaurant, leans slightly more formal in the evenings, though still within smart-casual territory. The bottom line: if you are having afternoon tea in The Gallery, err on the side of polished casual. If you are eating at Balfes or grabbing a drink at the Marble Bar, the standard is more relaxed.

The Gallery is the kind of room where you instinctively sit up straighter. The service is polished, the sandwiches are precise, and the scones arrive warm. It is, by any measure, one of the finer tea experiences in Dublin.

— Editorial review, The Travel Magazine (2014)

How much is a night at The Westbury, Dublin?

Nightly rates at The Westbury vary significantly by season, room category, and booking channel. The hotel sits at the premium end of the Dublin market, meaning you should expect to pay more than the city’s average four-star or boutique options. Booking platforms show that standard double rooms typically start in a range that reflects a five-star positioning, while suites — particularly the new signature suites created in the 2023 refurbishment — command a noticeable premium (Booking.com, HotelsOne).

Nightly rate ranges and seasonality

High season in Dublin runs from May through September, plus the Christmas and New Year period. During those months, standard rooms command the highest rates. Low season (November through February, excluding the holiday window) sees lower starting prices. Booking platforms such as Expedia list the hotel’s breakfast as a paid add-on at roughly EUR 35 per person on weekdays (07:30–10:30) and weekends (until 11:00). Some packages include breakfast, but the default is pay-as-you-go.

Value compared to other Dublin luxury hotels

Within the five-star Dublin set, The Westbury is priced competitively with peers such as The Shelbourne and The Merrion. Its advantage is location — it sits directly on Grafton Street, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, between Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green. That central position means you can walk to most major sights, which may reduce transport costs during your stay.