Sand' and deliver

ROHAN SMYTH gets a taste of some of Dublin's finest hospitality in a memorable trip to the capital city's longest-running family-led hotel

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With all the new hotels that have opened their doors in Dublin in recent years, each of them always striving to be trendier than the last one, it can be hard to find one that still retains a bit of soul.

But that's exactly what my wife and I found on a recent trip to the capital, where we enjoyed a two-night stay at the family-owned and operated Sandymount Hotel in Dublin 4.

In fact, it's the largest independent and longest-running family-run hotel in the city - and earlier this year it celebrated 70 years of continuous family ownership and hospitality.

Certainly makes a change then from all the corporate chains - of course, these do serve a purpose but if you're looking to treat yourself then a hotel like the Sandymount is the real deal.

Located on Herbert Road in the heart of Sandymount, the hotel started out as a B&B in 1955, run by George and Rosaleen Loughran.

Over the years, demand for the hotel's services grew leading it to evolve into today's 187-bedroom property, now led by the third generation of the Loughran family.

Its location is perfect as well if you want to swerve the chaos of the city centre - it's nestled away in a charming and tranquil Dublin neighbourhood - yet all the attractions of the metropolis are still within easy reach.