There’s nothing ethereal about this ‘warmly welcoming’ guest house near Ballsbridge village; rather Jennie McKeown’s ‘helpful staff’ encourages guests to feel solidly at home, day and night. An external stone staircase leads to the three interconnected Victorian town houses, sympathetically restored to retain plenty of original features including Flemish brickwork, ornate stained glass, sash windows. The best bedrooms are handsomely styled with antiques, Victorian-inspired fabrics; suites have a four-poster bed and Waterford crystal chandeliers. Guests mingle over complimentary afternoon tea in the ‘comfortably grand lounge’. The day begins with an ‘excellent’ locally sourced breakfast, including home-made granola, potato-and-chive cakes; ‘perfectly poached eggs’. The hall has a supply of umbrellas – it does rain in Dublin occasionally.