Reality check

THE HOTEL Opened in May, Anantara's seventh property in Europe and first hotel in Ireland occupies the building previously occupied by The Marker Hotel. It is opposite Grand Canal Square in Dublin's dockyard district, which in recent years has attracted tech businesses such as Google. Owned by Minor Hotels, the hotel had a multimillion-euro makeover before opening.

THE CHECK-IN I left my car with the valet, then entered the spacious reception area where I was handed a wooden key – one of many sustainability initiatives at the hotel –and a complimentary glass of Bollinger.

THE ROOM The 187 rooms, spread over six floors, were completely refurbished this past winter, along with the lobby and bar. My De Luxe room was unusually shaped, with eyecatching angles. It was stylish and super-comfortable with soft purple, grey and brown colours, wood panelling and contemporary furnishings created by Irish designers.

HOTEL: ANANTARA THE MARKER, DUBLIN

Key features included a king-size bed, smart TV with Chromecast, a wall-tofloor mirror, small round table and chairs, working desk area, Nespresso coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, a stocked minibar, complimentary Wi-Fi and plenty of sockets and USB ports. The floor-to-ceiling bedside window looked down on Grand Canal Square.

THE FACILITIES The restaurant, Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins, is bright and airy, with views of the working kitchen. Modern, Irish dishes are are sourced, where possible, within 30 miles of the hotel. Entrées include a range of steaks made from dry-aged Irish beef, Stone Bass and roasted aubergine gratin. A spa offers treatments inspired by Irish ingredients, a sauna, a eucalyptus-infused steam room and a 23-metre indoor infinity pool. A rooftop terrace bar and lounge has unbeatable 360-degree city views.

FOR BUSINESS There are nine meetings rooms, for 20 to 250 guests, and a business centre.

MY DE LUXE ROOM WAS UNUSUALLY SHAPED, WITH EYE-CATCHING ANGLES

THE VERDICT A stylish and ultraluxurious urban escape committed to blurring the traditional lines between business and leisure travellers by offering facilities and excursions that even the busiest of corporate travellers can experience when they visit.

THE DETAILS De Luxe rooms from around €325 but check for offers, +353 (0) 1 687 5100, anantara.com

Steve Hartridge

APARTMENT: VIRIDIAN APARTMENTS, HAMMERSMITH - SOUTHERTON MEWS

THE APARTMENTS These newly-built apartments opened earlier this year and are managed by Viridian Apartments, previously known as Flying Butler. A fiveminute walk from Hammersmith underground station, there are lots of great restautants and cafés nearby if you don’t want to cook. The apartments are in an eco-friendly development that’s gas free, with air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and a mechanical ventilation system to filter polluted air.

THE ARRIVAL I had been given a four-digit code for the entry gate as part of clear and detailed check-in information sent by email. Once through the gate, I went down a ramp (good for wheelchair access), past the small terraces of other apartments until I reached mine (number 9) at the end of a path. Here, I entered a longer code into an electronic lock system by the door. It was all very straightforward and I didn’t need to watch the video tutorial provided.

THE ROOM There's a choice of twobedroom duplex apartments and one- and two-bedroom mews houses, all with either a terrace or balcony. Mine was a duplex, which was perfect as I was sharing with a work colleague, giving us more more privacy. It had a cute walled terrace with garden chairs and table. I took the upstairs ensuite apartment and my colleague had the downstairs apartment with an adjacent shower room. An open plan living room/kitchen had a decent-sized fridge and a circular dining table. White Company toiletries, basic cleaning products, tea and coffee are provided. The decor was simple but stylish and everything was super clean. Beds have eco mattresses made from recycled marine plastic.

THE FACILITIES There's no reception or communal areas but there is a 24-hour helpline. I had some issues with the Wi-Fi and called the number. I’m sure it was just teething problems for a brand new property (we were the first guests).

THE BUSINESS My upstairs bedroom had a desk but I preferred to work on the dining table downstairs.

BEDS HAVE ECO MATTRESSES MADE FROM RECYCLED MARINE PLASTIC

THE VERDICT With their outside spaces, these apartments feel particularly homely and I left wishing I could spend a few more days there to enjoy the terrace. The duplex is ideal if you’re sharing and the security gates and digital entry systems made us feel safe

THE DETAILS 1-bed apartments from £200 + VAT, 2-beds from £270, +44 (0)20 3743 0331, viridianapartments.com

Bev Fearis