Dublin's five-star Anantara The Marker hotel, located on Grand Canal Square, has been named Dublin Spa of the Year by Irish Tatler and its rooftop bar won the Gold award for five-star hotel bar of the year at the 2025 Irish Bar of the Year Awards. With rooms starting at €400 per night, this property offers a luxurious escape with a 23-metre infinity pool, a 360-degree rooftop view, and the acclaimed Forbes Street restaurant.
Location and First Impressions
The hotel sits in the heart of Dublin's tech district, where companies like TikTok, Google, and Airbnb have their European headquarters. It's a short walk from the city centre and about 20 minutes from Dublin Airport. The pedestrian-friendly plaza is illuminated at night with red and green lights, representing the 82 miles of the Grand Canal that were once lined with cast iron markers guiding travellers—the final marker stood where the hotel now stands, giving it its name.
Opened in 2013 and taken over by Anantara in 2023, this is the first Anantara property in Ireland. The Thai-origin brand, which has 15 locations in Thailand, brings its signature 'Land, Sea and Spirit' experiences to Dublin, including crystal engraving, wild swimming, and Irish coffee making.
Rooms and Amenities
The hotel has 187 guest rooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Grand Canal Square or the Bord Gáis Theatre. Grey walls echo the Irish countryside, with deep heather purple carpets and modern furniture, including a gorse yellow armchair and plaid blankets from Foxford Mills in County Mayo. Bathrooms feature white marble, Villeroy & Boch baths, and Irish Voya toiletries.
Rooms include a 55-inch TV with Chromecast and a Nespresso Zenius machine. The design, by Portuguese architect Manuel Aires Mateus, draws on the Cliffs of Moher for the exterior and the Giant's Causeway for the interior's cantilevered ceiling.
The Spa: A Sanctuary of Wellness
The spa is the hotel's hero, recently named Dublin Spa of the Year by Irish Tatler. It features a 23-metre infinity pool, a eucalyptus-scented steam room, a sauna, and a whirlpool tub. Open from 6am to 9:30pm, entry is complimentary for guests, as is the gym. In summer, free rooftop yoga is sometimes offered.
Treatments range from €85 to €200, including Thai Qi flow massage, sculpting massages, salt scrubs, and Elemis facials. The signature 90-minute 'nam jai' journey begins with a foot cleanse infused with frangipani and hibiscus, followed by a tailored massage with oils like monoi and coconut, and ends with a hydrating facial.
Food and Drink: Rooftop Bar and Forbes Street
The rooftop bar offers a 360-degree view of the Irish Sea and Croke Park, perfect for sunset. The cocktail menu is impressive, with the blue Cenote Azul recommended during a heatwave. The bar serves small plates like belly pork, lime BBQ prawns, and wagyu steak on corn tortillas, kept warm in embroidered pouches.
Forbes Street, led by Gareth Mullin, is the star restaurant. Dishes include scallops, steak, Flaggy Shore Dainties, local oysters, and Oscitera caviar. The soda bread, baked on site and served with homemade butter, proves Irish bread is world-class.
Experiences and Extras
The Marker offers unique experiences like visiting Kildangan Stud, a paddock in County Kildare owned by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Guests can meet prize racehorses and foals. 'Spice Spoons' takes guests to Howth fishing village for a cooking class with Executive Chef Gareth Mullins. For sea swimming enthusiasts, Forty Foot in Sandycove, featured in James Joyce's Ulysses, is ten miles away.
In-hotel experiences include an Irish coffee masterclass, teaching the perfect mix of Jameson whiskey, coffee, and cream. Costs vary, so guests should enquire with the hotel.
Verdict and Practical Information
While the room felt a bit dark and narrow, it was luxurious. For those with disposable cash, it's absolutely worth it. The staff are exceptional, with Dubliner Derek Brennan, Guest Experience and Guardianship Manager, offering walking tours and hosting evening Yeats poetry readings. Hotel manager Ludo De Jong adds personal touches with handwritten cards.
Check-in is at 3pm and check-out at noon. The hotel offers wheelchair access and eight accessibility rooms, each 377 sq ft, larger than deluxe rooms. The main entrance has a DDA-compliant door, flat lobby floors, and elevators large enough for 17 people. A lower concierge desk and complimentary iced tea are available.
Ideal for a luxurious escape or an overnight stay after the theatre, but not for budget travellers.
