The Alex , Dublin

The floor-to-ceiling windows, relaxed jazzy music and big open-plan reception-lounge-workspace sets the tone for this modern hotel: chilled, youthful, smart but unpretentious. There are sweeping wooden floors, colourful rugs, boxy sofas, abstract art prints and a hint of art deco in brass-coloured light fittings and mirrored pillars. Bedrooms are smooth in shades of grey, charcoal and blush-pink with blanket throws adding softness and retro-style radios adding fun. Even standard rooms are ridiculously large and all have heavenly thick mattresses and slick, grey and green bathrooms with Paul Costelloe accessories. There's a coffee-bar, 'Steam', and a restaurant, 'Carriage' - a bit of a train theme going on - the latter with an all-day pub classics menu. Upgrade to an Executive room for fancy extras and a private lounge with complimentary drinks and snacks.