I was in Ireland recently for a friend's hen do, and we were all very civilised and grown up, and stayed in the luscious Heritage Hotel in the village of Killenard (its just an hour outside of Dublin... if you can read a map, unlike me). The spa was ab-fab. I went for a massage and one of the best things about it was that after it was done, you know how all you feel like doing is falling asleep on your massage table? Your therapist takes you in your relaxed stupor to the “Deep Relaxation Room” (which is separate from the “Relaxation Room”) where you snuggle in a recliner under a blanket, nibble on fruit and sip tea- and stay as long as you want! The room is also lit entirely by candles so trust me, you'll never want to leave.

Dublin is one of our favourite cities for shopping and dining. The newest place to stay in town is the 44-room Dylan, located near St. Stephen's Green. The hotel is located in the building which housed the former Hibernian Hotel, and its been completely transformed into a chic boutique hotel. Staff uniforms are designed by Dublin designer Leigh Tucker, and no two guestrooms are alike. What the rooms do have in common is custom made furniture by Harrison and Gil and accent pieces such as vintage silver and crystal, Belleek pottery, and black and white photography by Philip Pankov. Beds have memory foam mattresses, Frette sheets and guests can choose their pillow from a menu. Other amenities include plasma screen TVs, iPods, complimentary wireless Internet, spacious showers, lavender-scented linen spray and bath products custom made by Etro. The Dylan has two restaurants, Still and Dylanbar. Executive Chef Padraic Hayden (formerly Head Chef of One Pico) has created a contemporary Irish menu. Room rates start at €395. Dylan, Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 2, Phone: +353 (1) 660 3000.

The newest luxury hotel in Ireland is Carton House, which opened last month. Located in County Kildare, just 14 miles west of Dublin, the hotel is the former home of the John FitzGerald, the Earl of Kildare. Visitors to the house over the years included Queen Victoria, Prince Rainier, Grace Kelly and Peter Sellers, and the estate has also provided the backdrop for many TV and film productions, including Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. Now, the interior of this Palladian house has been completely redone in a modern, gorgeous style. There's also two on-site golf courses, fishing, hiking and a Molton Brown spa. Rates start at 140 euros. Carton House, Maynooth, Co.Kildare, Phone:  +353 (0) 1 5052000.

If you're looking to celebrate Dublin's St. Patrick's Day in style, book The Merrion hotel's Shamrock Package. For 655 euros per couple, guests are treated to two nights accommodation in a twin/double room, full Irish breakfast, Black Velvet cocktail on arrival, two grandstand tickets for the St Patrick's Day Festival Parade and a picnic box whilst watching the Parade. The package is available from March 16-20, 2006.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts will be opening its second property in Ireland in spring 2006. The newly constructed Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort & Spa, Cork. Starwood and property company Fleming Construction will develop the 133-room luxury Sheraton resort, on Fota Island in County Cork, located on the southern Irish coast. The hotel is being constructed on the site of the existing Fota Island Golf Club - home of the Irish Open in 2001 and 2002. For more information, visit www.starwoodhotels.com

It's hard to find anyone that doesn't love Dublin. The city that gave us literary giants such as James Joyce and W.B Yeats, as well as sensory pleasures like Guinness and U2, is as buzzy and vibrant as it ever was.

Shopping in Dublin is a pleasure. The city is so compact that shoppers can easily walk between all of the key stores. But more than convenience, it comes down to atmosphere.

If you're a fan of quiet, discreet hotels like The Inn at Irving Place in New York City, you'll love The Merrion in Dublin.   

Located just off Upper Merrion Street, home to some of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the city, it would be all too easy to walk past the hotel without a second glance. The hotel is housed in four converted townhouses, and only a small brass sign indicates it's a hotel.

If you're looking for upscale comfort food after a day of shopping Dublin, head to Brasserie 66. This stylish new restaurant just opened in central Dublin, and the menu emphasizes fresh, local Irish meat and produce. The dining room is long and narrow, with chocolate brown walls, oak floors and antique plates decorate the walls. Just next door is Sixty6 the grocer, where visitors can buy gourmet olive oils, coffees and pastries. Brasserie Sixty6,  66-67 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2, Phone +353 (1) 4005878.

Most rock stars are known for trashing hotels instead of restoring them, but that's not the case with The Clarence in Dublin. The hotel is partly owned by U2 front-man Bono and band mate The Edge.