Hotel review: ‘This is never going to be the coolest hotel in Dublin, but that’s not a bad thing’

Buswells Hotel, set close to Grafton Street, remains steeped in traditional charm

The well-known entrance to Buswells Hotel

Nicola Brady

On the day I visit Buswells, the street outside is cordoned off and filled with protesters and gardaí, alongside passersby frustrated at the blockade. When I step inside, teachers and politicians are gathering for a lobby day, and among them all, a confused looking American tourist stands, suitcase in hand, wondering what they’ve just walked into.

“You never know what you’re going to see here,” says revenue manager Marie O’Connor, who has worked in the hotel for 27 years.