Mid-Term Family Breaks in Dublin

Take your pick from our two great family offers, ideal for getting away during this Autumn's mid-term break. Choose from a great value room only rate and enjoy a stay in one of our stylish rooms from just €79 a night, or select our 2 night package with full Irish breakfast each morning in our Cordyline Restaurant and 3 course dinner in our Tritonville Bar & Terrace on the evening of your choice from a total package rate of just €218. Both options include complimentary secure parking and WiFi.

Our exclusive Dublin 4 location makes us the ideal place for a family stay, out of the hustle and bustle at just a stone's throw from beautiful Sandymount Strand and Herbert Park, yet only minutes from Dublin city centre. Call us on 01 614 2000 for more details or to make a booking.

There's plenty to keep both kids and parents entertained in Dublin and we've listed just a few options below to help you get started on deciding what to do and see.

The Viking Splash Tour
A fun and exciting way to see the sights of Dublin from both land and water on board Amphibious World War II DUKWs!

Dublinia
Take a trip back in time at Dublinia, where you can see what life was like onboard a Viking warship, visit a Viking house and a Viking street, experience a busy medieval market, see a rich merchant's house, walk along a noisy medieval steet, and much more.

The Natural History Museum
Explore the wondrous diversity of life on display at The Natural History Museum, which houses species from Ireland and the far corners of the globe, both extinct and still to be seen today.

The National Leprechaun Museum
Visit a world of fascinating folklore and echanting stories with this captivating and interactive experience, where you can find out what it's like to live in a leprechaun-sized world.

The National Wax Museum Plus
Four floors of discovery, interaction and exhibition await you at The National Wax Museum Plus, including the Children's Enchanted World where you can visit the magical tunnels and see The Simpsons, Batman and more.

Dublin Zoo
Located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo is home to some 600 animals in an environment where education and conservation combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience. There are plenty of amazing animals to discover including tigers, hippos, bats, rare monkeys, gorillas, chimpanzees, red pandas and reptiles to name but a few!

The Big Wheel
See Dublin from a whole new perspective with a ride on the Wheel of Dublin at the Point Village, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and its coastline from your own enclosed (weather-proof!) pod.

UCD Marian Basketball Club

Sandymount Hotel has been sponsoring UCD Marian Basketball Club for a number of years and hosts a visiting player each season. Donnie Stith, this season's visiting player, very kindly took time out from training to pose for a few snaps at Sandymount Hotel.

"Donnie is from Virginia Beach, Virginia and after graduating from High School he earned a scholarship to Tulane University in New Orleans. Tulane play in Conference USA, one of the top basketball conferences in America. After completing his studies in Tulane, Donnie was signed by a team in the Austrian League. After a two year stay there he went to play in professional basketball in Malaysia. The 6”8 Stith should give Marian a great low post presence for the season. In his first game, a pre-season game against American School Stony Brook, he scored 16pts, had 12 rebounds but also had 6 blocks."

Herbert Park Centenary Celebrations

Come along this Sunday 21st August and celebrate the Herbert Park Centenary with us! Formally opened in 1911 by Lord Aberdeen, the park will celebrate its 100th birthday with a Family Fun Day from 1 until 5pm.

As well as a model train for kids' rides, face painting, model boats on the pond, a carousel and a climbing wall, there will also be a Tai Chi and yoga sanctuary, chess champions to take on, musical entertainment and more.

Sandymount Hotel will be in the Donnybrook / Ballsbridge Traders Food Tent so be sure to stop by and say hello!

More details can be found here.

Win Tickets to Ireland v France at Aviva Stadium

Win 2 tickets to see Ireland play France at Aviva Stadium on Saturday 20th August, along with an overnight stay in one of our stylish rooms and full Irish breakfast in our Cordyline Restaurant.

To enter, simply

1) Like our Facebook page

2) Email us at competitions@sandymounthotel.ie with the answer to the following question:

What is the name of the sculpture in Sandymount Hotel's front grounds?

(For a hint, see our Exterior Image in our Photo Gallery.)

Entries must be in by Friday 12th August. The winner will be notified by email and on our Facebook Page on Monday 15th August.

The prize is for 2 people and applies to Saturday 20th August only.

Only one entry per person will be accepted.

No part of the prize can be exchanged.

Terms & Conditions Apply.

A Visit to the National Leprechaun Museum

Read about our staff member's recent visit to the National Leprechaun Museum below!

Being American, and growing up with the image of a Lucky Charm’s box for a leprechaun, I decided I had to see the National Leprechaun Museum. Upon my just-in-time arrival of two minutes before closing, I was greeted by a man who claimed he was not a leprechaun, but could certainly pass as one. (he told us this himself, many times.)

For the beginning of the tour we learned quite a bit about Irish folklore, how the leprechaun has evolved through the years and what people around the world actually think of this little creature. After this, we were left on our own to first make our way through the long hallway of mirrors, which are there to make you feel just like a little man yourself. Then, after passing through we got to experience Dublin’s very own mini Giant’s Causeway. My personal favorite was the room with the extremely oversized furniture, also there to make you feel quite small. For the last part of our tour we got to sit in the ‘forest’ and were told a lovely fairytale.

All in all, I would say this is a great little museum. Definitely worth the time, and very inexpensive price. As the Irish would say it was “a great bit of craic!”

“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

A big thank you to our intern who finished up with us last week, for all her hard work (an example of which is our great new video shown here) and enthusiasm - read her last blog post below!



“May the Road Rise Up to Meet You…”

These past couple months working at Sandymount Hotel have gone by faster than the Dublin buses if you don’t put your arm out to hail them.

Words can not even begin to describe what this experience has meant to me. Truth be told when I found out back in April that I would be working at a hotel, I had no idea what to expect. Sure I’ve stayed in hotels before and have enjoyed jumping on the beds, but work in one? It had never come across the “this-is-what-I-want-to-do-with-my-life” radar. But oh boy, how glad I am it did! I could have not gotten any luckier with my job placement and the people I was privileged enough to work alongside. I truly have been welcomed into the Sandymount Hotel family since the first day I arrived, and I only hope I have returned some of the compassion and care they have shown me.

Quickly and directly I would like to address my lovely colleagues & bosses that have enriched my time here in Dublin in more ways than they’ll ever realize:
Firstly, thanks for this opportunity. Seriously. Trusting your company’s livelihood with a fourth year college student can be daunting, especially one who does not have much formal internship experience. You have given me the room to spread my wings and grow as a marketer and as a person. You listened to all my crazy ideas and even let me go through with some of them! From somewhat “cheeky” sidewalk ads all over Sandymount, to Grafton Street hand-outs, and from the face-in-the-hole statue that hopefully one day will happen, to my first ever YouTube upload. You have shown me in the most humble way, how to be good at business, all while staying true to yourself, your product, and to each other. I was able to witness such exquisite minds and personalities through you all! Too many times American businesses can concentrate on just making money, and here at Sandymount Hotel I have been able to observe the art of a sincere business.

To you, most highly regarded guest/blog reader - It’s been a pleasure sharing just a few of my experiences with you. I appreciate your patronage and support. If you ever come to the U.S. and need a tour guide, don’t be hesitant to ask! Also, for the guests I have been lucky enough to come in contact with, whether it be calling to remind you of one of our pre-concert BBQs or speaking to you in our lobby, it has been beyond doubt so enjoyable to get to know you, even in the smallest of ways. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you come back to stay at the hotel one day!

To the future guests and Ireland travellers!
When I say that Sandymount Hotel is the best possible place to stay in Dublin, you should trust me…because I’ve been on the inside of this whole operation. Everyone here truly cares about pleasing our guests; even if it can only be for the quick blip in time that we are lucky enough to have you at the hotel.

So I could sit here and give you pages upon pages of recommendations of things to see and tours to go on, but it’s really much more fun to make your trip your own unique creation.

But I will share with you some of my only suggestions:
-Don’t worry about getting lost, sometimes that can be the most fun.
-Take loads of pictures, but also don’t be afraid to enjoy the view without looking through a lens.
-Talk to the locals, trust me, they want you to.
-Try not to compare everything to the place where you are from.
-Just follow your feet because they’ll help you stumble upon things you might have never seen.
-If you’re a female, say yes to any man over the age of 85 that asks you to dance, it will probably be the best one you’ve ever had.
-Take time and stop on Grafton or O’Connell and listen to local artists, you don’t have to pay them if you don’t want to, just enjoy it!
-Always, always carry some sort of rain gear, and don’t worry the sun will come back out.
-See the sights, stay at Sandymount Hotel, and HAVE A BLAST!

John Loughran, the truly wonderful owner, once gave me an Irish blessing and I shall pass it on:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

All my love, craic, and appreciation!

Yours Truly,
Sylvia
Forever and Always Sandymount Hotel Marketing Intern 2011

The Script at Aviva Stadium

To get the party started before The Script take to the stage at Aviva Stadium this Saturday we'll be having another of our fantastic BBQs! So whether you are staying with us or on your way to the concert, come along and enjoy tasty burgers, delicious salads and a great atmosphere! Keep a look out for the Spinis, who will also be joining us on Saturday!

Front Grounds of Sandymount Hotel
­From 5.00pm
­Enjoy homemade 8oz Irish beef burgers with Swiss cheese & Ballymaloe relish on a flour bap­ and drinks from our fast pour bar in the front grounds of the hotel.

Pre-Concert BBQ Buffet in our Cordyline Restaurant & Private Gardens ­
­4.30pm - 6.30pm
­Homemade 8oz Irish beef burger with Swiss cheese & Ballymaloe relish on a flour bap­
Cajun flamed chicken breasts
­Apple and sage pork sausages
Pork belly ribs marinated in BBQ sauce
­With
­New baby potato salad with chives and spring onion
Tomato and cucumber salad with feta cheese, red onion and a basil pesto dressing
Garden baby leaves with parmesan shavings in a light Caesar dressing
Beetroot salad with crème fraiche and crushed almonds
€15 Per Person
­First Come, First Served - Arrive Early to Avoid Disappointment!

Tritonville Bar & Terrace
­Our usual menu will be served from 6.30pm until 10pm, ­
and for hungry fans we will have post-concert sandwiches available from 10pm onwards.