"Fresh off a renovation and rebranding, The Alex, which stands on a site formerly occupied by a train station, is officially one of Dublin's cool kids. Its airy lobby is home to a posh co-working space where guests and passersby type away on laptops among sleek Art Deco fixtures and forest-green marble tables. The hotel nods to its history through design details like a ticker sign above the elevators and leather luggage straps affixed to wardrobe drawers. The rooms at The Alex have an endearingly chic vibe. They're outfitted with super-soft beds covered with herringbone throws from Foxford Woolen Mills, an Irish heritage brand; 1950s-style radios; and (supremely useful, but often absent) bedside electrical outlets. Executive-level rooms also have Nespresso machines and offer access to the lounge, a funky little room with regularly replenished snacks and drinks." - Nicola Brady