he Shelbourne Hotel is a 5-star hotel located in the heart of Dublin City. It is one of the city’s most iconic and luxurious hotels. The hotel's central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Dublin's cultural attractions.
Opened in 1824, it has hosted many notable guests, including politicians, dignitaries, celebrities and writers.
The Shelbourne has a rich history – the first Irish Constitution was drafted here in 1922. The Constitution Suite commemorates this historic event. The original antique chairs and table where this document was signed are still in situ.
The hotel has 265 rooms in total, including 19 suites. Each guest room has luxurious 300 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding and elegant marble bathrooms.
The Shelbourne’s interior boasts beautifully restored 19th century features, including classic staircases, chandeliers and furnishings. When we were there, the lobby was decorated with a beautiful display of pumpkins for Halloween.
There are several dining options in the hotel. These include fine dining at The Saddle Room, cocktails or a pre-dinner drink at the No. 27 Bar & Lounge, the 1824 Bar and the Horseshoe Bar. During the summer months, they offer an al fresco option at The Terrace.
The Shelbourne has welcomed guests to afternoon tea from its opening and it remains one of the most cherished traditions in the hotel.
Afternoon tea is served daily in The Lord Mayor’s Lounge, which is named after the Lord Mayor of Dublin. Historically he frequently visited the hotel.
This elegant lounge combines old-world charm with luxury. It is a beautifully decorated room with plush seating, chandeliers and large windows overlooking St. Stephen’s Green, one of Dublin’s most famous parks.
To mark their 200th anniversary, there is a special birthday afternoon tea menu.
Our afternoon tea consisted of four plated tiers: sandwiches, scones and pastries. Each of the pastries were inspired by recipes from the 1800’s. There is a range of over 20 premium teas available. Of course, coffee is also an option. The Champagne Afternoon Tea includes a glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne. The tables are beautifully set up, with menus matching the crockery.
We were seated promptly, and the menu was explained to us. We were advised to start from the bottom up, with the Buttermilk Scones and the Lemon Pound Cake, as they are best enjoyed warm. We did exactly that!
The Buttermilk Scones were divine, albeit a bit too crumbly for my liking. They were served with butter, cream and strawberry jam. The Lemon Pound Cake was perfectly zesty and moist.
The sandwich tier consisted of four sandwiches per person. These included Oak Smoked Salmon, Classic Egg Mayonnaise and Cress, Roast Chicken and Chive Mayonnaise, and Feta and Tomato. All the sandwiches were beautifully presented, each served on a different type of bread. They were all delicious, but for us, the smoked salmon was the highlight. You can even get a replenishment of this tier!
There is a strong focus on quality and presentation, and this was certainly evident in the top two tiers – the pasteries. The attention to detail was exceptional.
They were a work of art – almost too good to eat. That said, we couldn’t resist the temptation, and they didn’t disappoint!
We started off with the Peach Melba, a peach compote and raspberry gel enclosed in a peach vanilla mascarpone cream atop a shortbread base.
Next was The Éclair, a rich Madagascar vanilla crème pâtissière filling, topped with a chocolate mirror glaze and feuillentine chocolate crisp.
We then moved onto the Pecan Pie, a milk custard tart with coffee diplomat cream with a pecan and praline liquid core, garnished with candied pecans.
Last but not least, was the Carrot Cake, a chocolate flowerpot containing layers of carrot cake and vanilla cheesecake, topped with orange mousse, chocolate sablé, caramelised walnuts, blood orange gel and a chocolate carrot.
The service was excellent throughout. It was a very relaxing and luxurious experience. The staff were friendly, attentive and efficient. There is a lively atmosphere with a great buzz. Servings are generous – arrive hungry!
Classic Afternoon Tea is €70pp and Champagne Afternoon Tea is €90pp. Sittings are daily at 12pm, 2.30pm and 5pm. Each one is 1 hour 45 minutes. Advanced booking is required.
“Time slows down and the art of conversation is revived” is a quote printed on the menu, and this summarises our experience in a nutshell. Looking around the room, it appeared to us that others felt the same way.
We will definitely return – perhaps even for an overnight stay next time!
For more information, visit https://theshelbourne.com/.
