Dublin, New York, Porto, London: You’ll love these five townhouse hotels

Wander List: Live like a local in the heart of the city

London's Eccleston Square Hotel uses smart tech in guestrooms

Malmerendas Boutique Lodging, Porto

The Dean Townhouse

The William

Chef Paul Flynn's The Tannery Townhouse

London's Eccleston Square Hotel uses smart tech in guestrooms

One of five suites at Malmerendas Boutique Lodging, Porto

Malmerendas Boutique Lodging, Porto

Lucy White

March 05 2023 02:30 AM

1 Dean Townhouse

The Dean Townhouse

Is it really nine years ago that Dublin’s Dean Hotel opened on Harcourt Street, setting the blueprint for millennial-facing lodgings across the country?

This week it launches its next-door neighbour Dean Townhouse, adding a further 49 guest rooms to its predecessor’s 51 rooms while sharing a playful aesthetic across its Georgian structure, including a new cocktail bar, newly-built mews extension and heated courtyard.

Choose from Townhouse Cosy, Townhouse Super and Townhouse Balcony Super rooms, from €150. thedean.ie

2 The Tannery Townhouse

Chef Paul Flynn's The Tannery Townhouse

There’s a more serene, grown-up vibe at The Tannery Townhouse in Dungarvan town, Co Waterford which – due to its small but perfectly formed size (14 rooms) – is luxuriously laid-back.

It’s quietly tucked around the corner from chef Paul Flynn’s restaurant with which it shares its name, and is the location for scrumptious cooked breakfasts and dinners. It’s also a great base for the Waterford Greenway or for exploring the Copper Coast Geopark and Comeragh Mountains. B&B from €160pp including dinner. tannery.ie

3 The William

The William

New York City has its brownstone townhouses – and The William is building on the tradition. Handily located in Midtown East, in the Bryant Park area, it’s a self-serviced pied-à-terre for those who prefer the flexibility of a kitchenette.

Rooms are bright and contemporary – some with balconies – and are decently soundproofed, while downstairs are craft cocktails at The Raines Law Room and British-style pub grub at The Shakespeare. Rooms from $240. sonder.com

4 Eccleston Square Hotel

London's Eccleston Square Hotel uses smart tech in guestrooms

London isn’t short of townhouses either, and the boutique Eccleston Square Hotel – a 19th century grade-II-listed pad between swish Belgravia and buzzy Victoria – combines elegance and tech.

What some rooms may lack in size, they make up for in the most modern of conveniences – glass bathroom walls that turn ‘frosted’ at the touch of a button, in-room tablets for concierge assistance and neighbourhood info, and electronically adjustable Swedish Hästen beds. Rooms from £150. ecclestonsquarehotel.com

5 Malmerendas Boutique Lodging

One of five suites at Malmerendas Boutique Lodging, Porto

With two new weekly direct flight routes from Shannon launching on March 26, adding to the seven weekly flights from Dublin, historic Porto has become an even hotter prospect for Irish travellers.

Malmerendas Boutique Lodging is a five-suite haven within a short walk of Bolhão Metro station, with beautifully designed contemporary rooms and communal spaces: there’s a living and dining room where breakfast is served (and wine bar service from 3pm), and a dappled outdoor terrace perfect for really savouring the tipple of the city’s namesake. Rooms from €150. malmerendas.com