Dublin has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most expensive cities, and hotel costs are a big part of that. But here’s what seasoned travellers know: hotels that include breakfast in their rates often represent better value than those that charge separately.
Why? Because breakfast in Dublin can easily cost €15-25 per person at a hotel restaurant. Over a few days, those charges add up fast. Hotels that include breakfast are making a promise: one clear price, no surprises, no nickel-and-diming.
If you’re looking for that kind of straightforward value, you’ll want to focus on South City Centre. This puts you within walking distance of Temple Bar, Trinity College, Grafton Street, and Dublin’s main attractions, which means less money spent on taxis and more time actually enjoying the city.
Here are the best Dublin hotels that include breakfast and won’t leave you feeling gouged.
Why Breakfast-Included Matters in Dublin
Let’s be blunt: Dublin hotels know they can charge premium prices, and many do exactly that. A hotel room might seem reasonable at €150 per night, until you discover breakfast is €22 per person extra, tourist tax is added, and suddenly your “affordable” booking has ballooned.
Hotels that include breakfast in their published rates are doing something different. They’re competing on transparency and value rather than trying to hide costs in the fine print.
This matters especially in Dublin because breakfast at hotel restaurants typically costs €15-25 per person. For a couple staying three nights, that’s €90-150 just for breakfast. Dublin’s café breakfast prices aren’t much better at €12-18 for a full Irish breakfast. Many attractions open early, so grabbing hotel breakfast before heading out makes practical sense.
When a hotel includes breakfast, they’re also making a statement about their service philosophy. They want you to start your day well-fed and ready to explore, not nickel-and-dimed before you’ve even left the building.
And yes, Ireland is famous for the traditional Irish fry (sausages, bacon, black and white pudding, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans), and you’ll find that at most hotel breakfast buffets. But don’t worry if that sounds too heavy for your morning routine. Most Dublin hotels now offer extensive breakfast options including fresh fruit, yoghurt, granola, smoked salmon, cheeses, and plenty of lighter choices alongside the traditional fry.
The South City Centre Advantage
I’m recommending South City Centre locations specifically because this is where breakfast-included hotels make the most sense.
You’re staying where the action is: Trinity College, Grafton Street, St. Stephen’s Green, and Temple Bar are all within a 10-15 minute walk. Georgian Dublin’s beautiful streets are right outside your door. You can walk to most major attractions without spending a cent on transport.
This walkability matters when you’re paying Dublin prices. Every taxi you don’t need to take, every bus fare you save, it adds up. And when you’ve already paid for breakfast at your hotel, you’re not starting each day trying to find and pay for an expensive Dublin breakfast.
For a deeper dive into all of Dublin’s neighbourhoods and accommodation options across the city, check out our comprehensive guide to where to stay in Dublin.
Best Dublin Hotels with Breakfast Included
The Westbury Hotel
The Westbury sits right off Grafton Street, Dublin’s main shopping thoroughfare, putting you in the absolute heart of the city. This is proper luxury without the stuffiness, a five-star hotel that feels welcoming rather than intimidating.
Their breakfast is served in the Gallery restaurant and includes both a substantial buffet and à la carte options. You’ll find everything from traditional Irish breakfast to lighter continental options, fresh pastries, smoked salmon, and excellent coffee. The quality matches the hotel’s overall standard, which is high.
Rooms are spacious by Dublin standards, with comfortable beds and marble bathrooms. Many overlook the charming Balfe Street or the internal courtyard. The location means you can walk to Trinity College in five minutes, Dublin Castle in ten, and you’re surrounded by restaurants and pubs for the evening.
Yes, this is one of Dublin’s pricier options, but when breakfast for two would cost €50 separately, the included breakfast genuinely adds value. You’re paying for quality and location, and you’re getting both.
The Marker Hotel
The Marker stands out in Dublin’s skyline in the Docklands area, technically just outside the traditional South City Centre but close enough to walk to everything in 15-20 minutes. This is modern Dublin at its most stylish, with contemporary design and excellent service.
The breakfast at The Marker is genuinely impressive. The rooftop restaurant offers views across the city whilst you choose from an extensive buffet including hot Irish breakfast, continental options, fresh juices, and quality coffee. They also do a good job with dietary requirements if you mention them in advance.
Rooms are sleek and modern with floor-to-ceiling windows, most offering city or Grand Canal views. The beds are excellent, which matters after a long day walking Dublin’s streets. There’s also a spa and swimming pool if you want to unwind.
The Docklands location gives you easy access to the Aviva Stadium and 3Arena if you’re seeing events, and it’s a pleasant walk along the Grand Canal into the city centre. You’re trading absolute city centre convenience for a more modern, spacious hotel experience, and many travellers find that trade worthwhile.
The Shelbourne
The Shelbourne is a Dublin institution, sitting on St. Stephen’s Green since 1824. This is where the Irish Constitution was drafted, where celebrities stay, and where Dubliners come for afternoon tea. It’s grand, historic, and unapologetically elegant.
Breakfast in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge or Saddle Room is an experience in itself. The buffet is extensive and high quality, with everything from traditional Irish breakfast to continental options, fresh fruit, pastries from their own bakery, and various hot dishes. Service is attentive without being overbearing.
The rooms mix period features with modern comfort. Some overlook St. Stephen’s Green, others face the quieter back of the building. All are spacious and well-appointed with luxury amenities. The hotel has been carefully restored to maintain its character whilst offering contemporary five-star standards.
Location-wise, you couldn’t ask for better. St. Stephen’s Green is across the street, Grafton Street is a two-minute walk, and you’re centrally positioned for everything Dublin offers. The hotel itself is a piece of Dublin’s history.
This is expensive, even for Dublin. But if you want a special experience with breakfast included, The Shelbourne delivers.
The Dean Dublin
The Dean brings a younger, hipper energy to Dublin’s hotel scene. Located on Harcourt Street, it’s a short walk from St. Stephen’s Green and has become known for its rooftop bar and restaurant, Sophie’s.
Breakfast is served at Sophie’s on the rooftop (weather permitting, otherwise in the ground floor restaurant). The menu leans towards quality over quantity, with excellent coffee, locally sourced ingredients, and both traditional and contemporary breakfast options. It’s not a massive buffet, but what they do, they do well.
Rooms are compact but cleverly designed, with good beds, rainfall showers, and a modern aesthetic. Some rooms are genuinely small, so check room sizes when booking if space matters to you. But the hotel makes up for smaller rooms with great common spaces and a vibrant atmosphere.
The Dean attracts a younger crowd and has real energy about it. If you want traditional elegance, look elsewhere. If you want a hotel with personality that still delivers quality and includes breakfast, The Dean is excellent value for money in Dublin terms.
Buswells Hotel
Buswells offers something different: old-school Dublin charm right across from the Dáil (Irish Parliament) on Molesworth Street. This is a traditional Georgian townhouse hotel that’s been welcoming guests since 1882, and it wears its history proudly.
The breakfast is served in their basement restaurant and includes a good buffet with hot and cold options, including a proper Irish breakfast. It’s not fancy, but it’s generous and well-prepared, exactly what you need before a day of sightseeing.
Rooms vary significantly, as you’d expect in a building this old. Some are spacious Georgian rooms with high ceilings and period features, others are smaller and more basic. Request a renovated room when booking. All are comfortable and clean, with a character you won’t find in modern hotels.
The location is superb for culture and history lovers. You’re a three-minute walk from Trinity College and the Book of Kells, five minutes from Grafton Street, and surrounded by museums and galleries. The National Gallery, National Museum, and National Library are all within easy walking distance.
Buswells represents genuine value in Dublin. It’s not luxury, but it’s quality, comfort, and excellent location with breakfast included at prices that make sense. For many visitors, that’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel
The Radisson Blu sits on Golden Lane in the heart of medieval Dublin, close to Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral. It’s a modern hotel that balances contemporary style with professional service.
Their Super Breakfast buffet (included with certain room rates, check when booking) is comprehensive. Hot Irish breakfast, continental options, fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, and quality tea and coffee. It’s served in their Larder restaurant and is generous enough to fuel you through a full day of exploring.
Rooms are modern and comfortable with good beds and rain showers. They’re not particularly large, but they’re well-designed and functional. Upper floors offer views over Dublin’s rooftops towards the Dublin Mountains.
The location puts you right in historic Dublin. Dublin Castle is two minutes away, Temple Bar is five minutes, and you’re well-positioned for attractions on both sides of the Liffey. It’s quieter than staying right in Temple Bar but close enough to everything that matters.
The Radisson Blu delivers reliable quality at the mid to upper-mid range of Dublin pricing. When breakfast is included, it represents solid value for a well-located, comfortable stay.
Maldron Hotel Pearse Street
The Maldron on Pearse Street offers practical, comfortable accommodation with breakfast included as standard, at prices that won’t make you wince (by Dublin standards, anyway). This is part of a reliable Irish hotel chain that understands what travellers need.
Breakfast is a generous buffet with hot and cold options, including full Irish breakfast, cereals, fruit, pastries, and decent coffee. It’s served in a bright ground-floor restaurant and is substantial enough to see you through to late afternoon if you’re planning a long day out.
Rooms are modern, clean, and well-maintained. They’re not fancy, but they have comfortable beds, good showers, and everything works as it should. Some rooms overlook Grand Canal Dock, others face the street or internal courtyard.
The location on Pearse Street puts you walking distance to Trinity College, Grafton Street, and the Grand Canal Dock area with its restaurants and waterfront walks. You’re slightly east of the absolute city centre, which means a 10-15 minute walk to main attractions, but also quieter streets and better prices.
For travellers who want clean, comfortable accommodation with breakfast included without paying luxury prices, the Maldron delivers exactly that. It’s honest value in a city where value can be hard to find.
Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane
The Clayton sits in the Docklands on Cardiff Lane, offering modern accommodation near the Grand Canal and a 15-minute walk from the city centre. This is another reliable Irish chain that includes breakfast as standard.
Their breakfast buffet is generous, with hot Irish breakfast, continental options, fresh fruit, pastries, and various hot dishes. It’s served in their ground-floor restaurant overlooking the Grand Canal, which makes for a pleasant start to the day.
Rooms are contemporary and comfortable with good beds and modern bathrooms. Many have balconies overlooking the canal. They’re more spacious than typical city centre hotels, which you notice after a few days.
The Docklands location gives you easy access to the Aviva Stadium, 3Arena, and Bord Gáis Energy Theatre if you’re attending events. For city centre attractions, it’s a pleasant 15-20 minute walk along the canal, or there are good bus connections.
The Clayton offers the same value proposition as the Maldron: reliable comfort, included breakfast, and honest pricing. You’re trading absolute city centre location for more space and slightly lower rates, which works well for many visitors.
Making Breakfast-Included Work for You
When booking any of these hotels, verify that breakfast is included in your specific room rate. Hotels often offer both room-only and breakfast-included rates, and booking sites sometimes default to the cheaper room-only option.
Look for rates labelled “Bed and Breakfast,” “Breakfast Included,” or similar. If you’re booking directly with the hotel, ask specifically. The price difference between room-only and breakfast-included is usually less than you’d pay for breakfast separately, making the breakfast-included rate better value.
Also check if there are any restrictions on the included breakfast. Most are buffet-style with no limitations, but occasionally you’ll find rates that include continental breakfast only or have limited à la carte options. The hotels recommended here all offer full breakfast buffets with their included rates.
Beyond Breakfast: What Makes a Good Value Dublin Hotel
Breakfast inclusion is important, but it’s not the only factor in finding good value in Dublin. The hotels on this list share other qualities that matter:
They’re transparent about pricing with no hidden fees beyond the standard Dublin tourist tax. They’re located where you can walk to major attractions, saving money on transport. They maintain good standards without trying to charge luxury prices for mid-range service. And they understand that travellers want genuine value, not just the cheapest room rate.
That combination - breakfast included, clear pricing, walkable location, and quality standards - is what makes a hotel good value in expensive Dublin. These hotels deliver it.
Final Thoughts
Dublin is expensive, there’s no getting around that. But choosing a hotel that includes breakfast in its rates is one practical way to manage costs without compromising on quality or location.
The hotels recommended here range from luxury options like The Shelbourne to practical choices like the Maldron, but they all share a commitment to transparent pricing and genuine value. You’ll start each day with a good breakfast, you’ll be well-located for exploring Dublin, and you won’t be hit with surprise charges that inflate your final bill.
For a broader look at Dublin accommodation across all neighbourhoods and price points, including options where you might want to grab breakfast at local cafés instead, check out our complete guide to where to stay in Dublin.
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