The Shelbourne Dublin, a Renaissance Hotel

The Shelbourne, Dublin’s most famous historic hotel, is where Ireland’s founding fathers first drafted the country’s constitution in 1922. These days, the 1824 Georgian building—located across the street from the verdant gardens and meandering paths of St. Stephen’s Green—still has the refined elegance befitting such a grande dame. The 262 rooms range from cozy (194-square-foot standard queens) to cavernous (the 1,530-square-foot Princess Grace suite), and all are decked out in plush period style, with brocade and heritage fabrics, and dark-wood antique furnishings. One of the more recent additions is the three-floor spa, complete with a salon, swimming pool, and an elegant relaxation room overlooking the green.