Radisson Blu Royal Hotel

Right between St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Temple Bar, a ho-hum stretch of Golden Lane, the Radisson Sas Royal boasts a surprisingly cool interior, especially for an affordable business hotel. The open-plan reception, lounge, and bar are lined in high-finish woods and marble; the central staircase is wrapped in glass etched with text from the Irish Constitution. Rooms at first glance are business hotel as usual, but closer scrutiny reveals that the standard-issue gray carpet is shot through with streaks of fuchsia; the champagne-colored curtains glitter with iridescence. There's some stealth luxury in the bathrooms, too; even standard doubles have separate tubs and huge rain showers.