🏨 Checking into Luxury (and a Side of Chaos)

It all began at The Merrion, one of Dublin’s finest hotels, along with The Shelbourne and The Westbury—because, you know, when in Dublin, live like a king (or at least like someone with an expense account).

The Merrion Hotel – where luxury meets effortless COVID testing.

The service? Magnificent. They even made COVID testing easy—right in our room! (Luxury is when swabbing your nose feels convenient.) Afternoon Tea? Delightful, with an original scone, though the pastries weren’t quite up to snuff—but hey, I’m half French, so feel free to take that with a grain of fleur de sel.

A scone so posh it probably has a trust fund. Pastries? Let’s just say, Paris still sleeps soundly.

But then came the plot twist:

🎭 We had a confirmed last-minute reservation at Patrick Guilbaud (the hotel’s own two-star Michelin restaurant). We arrived on time… only to find out our table didn’t exist.

Now, mistakes happen, but what made this one truly chef’s kiss ridiculous was the hostess’s attitude of absolute disdain. Not a trace of apology, just a full-on gaslight-the-customer approach. Good thing we had receipts—literally. Otherwise, they might have made us believe we booked a table in another dimension.

Ah yes, the legendary reservation... it existed everywhere except at our table. Good thing I had receipts—literally—but even that wasn’t enough.

Oh well, let’s laugh it off.

🌟 5 Stars for the Merrion Anyway!

Despite the restaurant debacle, the Merrion still gets full marks. The hotel is an art lover’s dream, with a beautiful garden and pool.

Art, elegance, and a pool fancy enough to make me consider swimming… but not quite.

☕ Breakfast? Phenomenal.
🥞 Banana pancake? Mind-blowing. (And I don’t even like pancakes.)
🐟 Lox? Best I’ve ever had.
📍 Location? Perfect—a short stroll to the National Gallery of Ireland.

🎨 Must-See Art & Museums

Forget flights—Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ alone is worth the trip. Add Vermeer’s Lady Writing a Letter and Titian’s Ecce Homo, and even crossing an ocean is justified.

🍽️ Foodie Adventures & Pub Crawls

Because what’s Dublin without good food and great Guinness?

Locally sourced, seasonally inspired, and devoured in seconds. Fine dining or a masterclass in speed-eating? You decide.

✅ Farm-to-table freshness? Etto, just next door to the Merrion, is a must-visit.
✅ Fish & Chips? The Fish Shop wins, but Matt The Thresher is solid too.
✅ Scones & tea? The Queen of Tarts = perfection.
✅ Hidden breakfast gem? Cake Café (their Coconut Toasted Granola & Yogurt is next-level).
✅ Still on our list? The Orange Tree Bakery—because there’s always a next time.

Her Majesty, The Queen of Tarts. Long may she reign over my caffeine addiction.

🍻 Guinness Storehouse – Even for Non-Beer Fans

I walked in not a Guinness drinker. I walked out… reevaluating my life choices.

Did you know Arthur Guinness Senior signed a 9,000-year lease on the brewery in 1759? (Talk about commitment.)

🥂 The tour ends at Gravity Bar, where you get a free pint and Dublin’s best 360° view. Defies gravity… almost.

Not just barrels—sacred vessels of Irish heritage. May we all age as well as the Guinness inside them.

🏙️ Exploring Dublin – Walk, Watch, Wander

🛍️ Shopping & People-Watching – Dawson St, Grafton St, and all the charming streets in between.
🌳 Parks & Green Spaces – St. Stephen’s Green & Merrion Square Park (leisure stroll = mandatory).
📚 Trinity College – Because The Book of Kells & The Long Room Library are bucket-list material.
🚶‍♂️ River Liffey Walk – Dublin’s scenic side in full glory.

📍 History & Reflection

🥀 The Famine Memorial – A humbling pause.
🌍 Irish Emigration Museum – Next time, for sure!
🏛️ Phoenix Park & Áras an Uachtaráin – Because visiting the President’s house (from a distance) counts.

Famine Memorial – Poignant sculptures and meaningful moments

✨ Already Planning the Next Trip

Next time? Dublin Port, Clontarf Road, Saint Anne’s Park & North Bull Island. Because once you visit Dublin, you’ll always want to come back.

💚 A beautiful city with even more beautiful people.
🎉 Total fun. No moderation necessary.

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