When it comes to quiet, storied Dublin boutique chic, The Wilder Townhouse has no competition. A glowing red-brick demi palace, it’s a quirky spot point blank in the middle of one of the city’s most charming roads and offers an excellent dose of zen away from the bustle of the Irish capital, and well, the rest of the world.
THE LOWDOWN
Rewind a few years back and The Wilder first began life as a home for retired governesses who, like many do now, basked in all the glories of this gaff’s exuberant Victorian charm. Aside from all the mod-cons — bling portraiture, flashy lights and designer easels — much of the house has retained its small luxury period laurels: exceptionally high ceilings, dramatic joinery and all the deliciously bright interiors in between. While there’s a touch of the now at The Wilder, the hotel prides itself on its dandy past hidden away on the rather cutesy and coveted Adelaide Street. The result? Boutique chic that oozes character, and on the somewhat eclectic side, too.
TELL US ABOUT THE ROOMS…
Looks can be deceiving, and that’s especially the case here. From the outside, The Wilder looks small, but the hotel manages to pack in an impressive 42 rooms and suites, many complete with original fireplaces, characterful nooks and storied corner cabinets piled with books. Shoebox rooms offer comfy respite from noisy Dublin at a bargain, but if you want to go all out, opt for a suite. Our ground floor Lady Jane suite dished out all the regal fruits worthy of an elegant and fashion-conscious royal court. Think separate living areas with scalloped chairs and loud pillows, decorative mannequins, walls draped with colourful Irish art pieces and bathrooms kitted out with roomy tubs, subway tiles, rain showers and eco-friendly amenities. Downside? It’s an old creaky house so might hear your neighbour’s taps from time-to-time, but that’s part of the hotel’s appeal.
THE FOOD & DRINK?
All the minibars are stocked with Irish-made products, and much of the same goes for the hearty breakfast served in the very bright and residents-only Garden Room. The continental spread is part of the deal with a central table stacked high with cereals, pastries, granola, homemade breads and more. On the menu, all the usual suspects make an appearance from light and fluffy pancakes to eggs cooked-to-order and a good helping of Irish smoked salmon.
Past 10pm, expect hearty soups, sarnies, posh cheeseboards, and as we are in Ireland, plenty of booze in the form of fancy cocktails, beers, wines and spirits.
ANYTHING ELSE TO NOTE?
There’s no pool, gym or spa here (remember, it’s small) but in place of all that jazz the 24-hour concierge team will make sure you have a good time with an expertly curated list of local hotspots and haunts to tuck into. The beauty of staying here though really comes down to the art of stripping back. Find a nook, grab an old book (there’s loads around) or a newspaper and read. If that’s not your thing, simply wander around the landscaped garden or explore the joys of what this part town has to offer on foot. Thanks to The Wilder’s central location, Iveagh Gardens and St Stephen’s Green are a five-minute stroll away and if you fancy stretching your legs even more, the Grand Canal towpath is quite literally at the end of the sleepy little road.
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