If you are researching accommodation along the River Liffey, Dublin’s IFSC district offers one notable option: a 4-star hotel with an on-site spa, a dedicated Asian-fusion restaurant, and an 18-metre indoor pool. This article focuses on the Dublin property—The Spencer Hotel—covering its location, dining, spa, and the most common questions guests ask, based on verified information from the hotel’s official site and neutral review platforms.
Last checked: 2026-06-13
Property Name: The Spencer Hotel · City (Primary): Dublin, Ireland · Classification: 4-star hotel · Key Feature (Dublin): River Liffey frontage · Known Amenities: Spa, on-site restaurant, bar · Alternative Location: Hotel Spencer in Whyalla, Australia (oldest pub)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-13.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews (US and UK), Hotels.com, Expedia, The Hotel Guru, Ireland on a Budget review, The Telegraph travel review, HotelDublin.net listing.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify prices. Data is current as of early 2025.
At a glance
- 4-star accommodation in Dublin’s IFSC district
- Hotel Spencer in Whyalla holds the title of oldest operational pub
- Riverside location on the River Liffey
Snapshot: What makes The Spencer Hotel stand out
- Located on Excise Walk in the IFSC, on the banks of the River Liffey (The Spencer Hotel – Official site)
- Official site states 209 air-conditioned bedrooms, some with private balconies and river views (The Spencer Hotel – Official site)
- 18-metre indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, and Technogym-equipped gym (The Spencer Hotel – Official site)
- Full-service day spa offering massages, body wraps, waxing, and facials (The Spencer Hotel – Viola Day Spa)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property Name | The Spencer Hotel |
| City (Primary) | Dublin, Ireland |
| Classification | 4-star hotel |
| Key Feature (Dublin) | River Liffey frontage |
| Known Amenities | Spa, on-site restaurant, bar |
| Alternative Location | Hotel Spencer in Whyalla, Australia (oldest pub) |
The Spencer Hotel Dublin
Set on Excise Walk in Dublin’s International Financial Services Centre, The Spencer Hotel sits directly on the River Liffey. The official site describes it as a 4-star property with 209 air-conditioned bedrooms, some offering private balconies and river views (The Spencer Hotel – Official site). A separate hotel listing on HotelDublin.net lists 169 rooms, a discrepancy likely due to refurbishment or reclassification (HotelDublin.net listing).
The hotel is about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from Dublin city centre, according to Booking.com, placing it a short walk from EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and roughly 1.6 km from the Book of Kells at Trinity College (Booking.com – The Spencer Hotel).
“The Telegraph’s expert review describes The Spencer as big, bright, contemporary and a ‘gleaming behemoth’ on the River Liffey, with large modern bedrooms and balconies plus an expansive gym and swimming pool.”
— The Telegraph
Connolly Station is about a five-minute walk away, and airport buses such as the Dublin Express stop directly across from the hotel, as noted by Ireland on a Budget (Ireland on a Budget – The Spencer Hotel Dublin Review). The Hotel Guru characterises the property as “smart, swish, youthful, and modern in design” (The Hotel Guru – Spencer Hotel Dublin Review).
The Spencer Hotel location
The hotel’s riverside position in the IFSC district makes it convenient for both business travellers and tourists. It is within a five-minute walk of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and near the bustling Docklands area.
The Spencer Hotel reviews
Multiple guest review platforms point to consistent strengths: clean, spacious rooms, friendly staff, and good breakfast. Booking.com gives breakfast an 8.9 score. TripAdvisor reviews praise quiet rooms and helpful service. Expedia guests note a very clean property and a strong bar/restaurant. Hotels.com reviews frequently mention “friendly and helpful staff” and “good-sized clean rooms”. The overall pattern supports a positive guest experience, especially for those prioritising location and service.
Note on room count: The official site states 209 bedrooms, but HotelDublin.net lists 169. If this matters for your booking, confirm directly with the hotel.
The Spencer Hotel Menu
The hotel’s main restaurant is East Restaurant, which serves Asian fusion cuisine drawing on influences from Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Japan, according to an independent review on Ireland on a Budget (Ireland on a Budget – The Spencer Hotel Dublin Review). This pan-Asian focus sets it apart from typical Irish hotel dining options.
Breakfast is served in The Pantry, described as a buffet with hot items, cereals, yogurts, fresh pastries, fruit, and cold meats and cheeses. Ireland on a Budget noted particularly good pancakes. A Booking.com guest review gave the buffet an 8.9 rating, noting continental, full English/Irish, vegetarian, and takeaway options (Booking.com – The Spencer Hotel).
The Spencer Bar, adjacent to the lobby, offers cocktails and lighter meals. While specific hours for the Dublin property’s dining venues are not published in the sources reviewed, guests can expect standard hotel hours (breakfast 7–10:30 a.m., dinner 6–10 p.m. approximate). For current hours, check the hotel’s official site or call directly.
The Spencer Hotel Spa
The on-site spa is Viola Day Spa, a full-service facility offering massages (full-body, back, neck, foot, hand, head), body wraps, waxing, and facials (The Spencer Hotel – Viola Day Spa). Hotels.com adds that hot stone massages are also available (Hotels.com – The Spencer Hotel).
Guests also have access to Energize Fitness & Leisure, which includes an 18‑metre deck-level indoor swimming pool (suitable for lane swimming and relaxation), a sauna, steam room, and hot tub. The health club advises booking lane swim slots in advance, no more than one week before arrival. Use of the steam room, sauna, and hot tub is restricted to guests aged over 18.
Tip: Advance booking for spa treatments is recommended. Contact Viola Day Spa directly at info@viola.ie for appointments and pricing.
The Spencer Hotel Reviews
Across the major platforms—TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and The Hotel Guru—The Spencer Hotel scores well on location, cleanliness, room size, and staff friendliness. TripAdvisor’s main page highlights “quiet rooms, friendly staff, excellent breakfast choice” (TripAdvisor – The Spencer Hotel main review page). Expedia notes a “very clean property” and “great attached bar/restaurant” (Expedia – The Spencer Hotel). Hotels.com Ireland guests praised “good-sized clean rooms” and “live music with a pleasant atmosphere” (Hotels.com Ireland – The Spencer Hotel).
Some spa-related TripAdvisor reviews mention great service and cocktails, but also minor criticisms such as watery juice at breakfast (TripAdvisor – The Spencer Hotel spa feature (UK site)). Overall, the property holds a strong reputation, consistent with its TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award classification, which places it in the top 10% of hotels worldwide according to the official site (The Spencer Hotel – Official site).
Watch for: Parking costs approximately €20 per night, and reservation is not possible, according to Ireland on a Budget and The Hotel Guru. Confirm current rates with the hotel.
Specifications: The Spencer Hotel Dublin
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | Excise Walk, IFSC, Dublin 1, Ireland |
| Star Rating | 4-star |
| Number of Bedrooms | 209 (official site); 169 reported elsewhere |
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in from 16:00, check-out until 12:00 (noon) |
| On-site Dining | East Restaurant (Asian fusion), The Pantry (breakfast buffet), The Spencer Bar |
| Spa & Fitness | Viola Day Spa; Energize Fitness & Leisure (18-metre pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym) |
| Parking | Secure underground parking approx. €20/night (subject to change) |
| Pets | Not allowed |
| Distance from City Centre | 0.7 miles (1.1 km) |
| Public Transport | Connolly Station 5-min walk; Dublin Express bus stops across the street |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Riverside location in the IFSC, close to city centre attractions
- Full-service Viola Day Spa and well-equipped health club with 18-metre pool
- Asian-fusion dining at East Restaurant – a differentiator from typical hotel restaurants
- Spacious, modern rooms with air conditioning and free toiletries
- Good transport links: Connolly Station, airport bus
- Strong guest review scores for cleanliness, staff, and breakfast
Cons
- Parking costs extra (approx. €20/night) and cannot be reserved in advance
- No pets allowed
- Room count discrepancy between official site and some listings
- Steam room, sauna, and hot tub restricted to guests over 18
- No cots provided according to one listing – confirm at booking
Best for these travellers
- Business travellers: The IFSC location puts you minutes from financial district offices, with good transport links and a modern work-friendly atmosphere.
- Couples: The Viola Day Spa and adjacent bar create a comfortable setting for a relaxing weekend. The riverside views and proximity to Docklands restaurants add to the appeal.
- Solo tourists: Central location, easy airport access, and a large pool/gym make this a practical base for exploring Dublin’s highlights independently.
Pricing band
As a 4-star hotel in Dublin’s business district, rates typically fall in the mid-to-upper range for the city. Ireland on a Budget reported sample rates of about US$480 for two nights in a classic queen room in October, illustrating seasonal variation. Kids can stay for free (subject to terms), which improves value for families. Always check current rates on Booking.com or the hotel’s site.
Location and getting there
The Spencer Hotel is on Excise Walk, on the banks of the River Liffey, in Dublin’s IFSC district. From Dublin Airport, the Dublin Express aircoach stops directly across the street. Connolly Station (serving DART, intercity, and Luas trams) is about a five-minute walk. The city centre is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) away, easily walkable along the river. Secure underground parking is available for about €20 per night (no reservation possible).
Map: The Spencer Hotel, Excise Walk, IFSC, Dublin 1, Ireland
Alternatives: Other Spencer Hotels
The name “The Spencer Hotel” also appears in Whyalla, Australia, where Hotel Spencer is the oldest operational pub in that city. An Auckland, New Zealand property also exists under a similar name. This guide focuses on the Dublin property; if you are researching the Whyalla or Auckland venues, check their respective operator sites for details. The Dublin property is the only 4-star, riverside hotel among them.
Our pick: The Spencer Hotel for first-time Dublin visitors
For travellers seeking a central riverside stay with on-site spa and dining, The Spencer Hotel delivers a consistent experience backed by strong guest reviews. We recommend it particularly for first-time Dublin visitors who want easy access to EPIC, Temple Bar, and Trinity College, combined with the flexibility of a well-equipped health club and a distinctive Asian-fusion restaurant. Book directly or via a trusted OTA, and confirm parking and spa booking needs in advance.
Sources cited
- The Spencer Hotel – Official site
- The Spencer Hotel – Viola Day Spa
- Facebook – The Spencer Hotel Dublin
- Booking.com – The Spencer Hotel
- TripAdvisor – The Spencer Hotel main review page
- TripAdvisor – The Spencer Hotel spa feature (UK site)
- Hotels.com – The Spencer Hotel
- Hotels.com Ireland – The Spencer Hotel
- Expedia – The Spencer Hotel
- Ireland on a Budget – The Spencer Hotel Dublin Review
- The Hotel Guru – Spencer Hotel Dublin Review
- The Telegraph – The Spencer Hotel Review
- HotelDublin.net – The Spencer Hotel Dublin listing
Frequently asked questions
What is the check-in/check-out time at The Spencer Hotel Dublin?
Check-in is from 16:00 (4 p.m.) and check-out is until 12:00 (noon), according to the hotel’s Booking.com listing.
Is there parking at The Spencer Hotel?
Yes, secure underground parking is available. Rates are approximately €20 per overnight stay, but reservations are not possible.
Does The Spencer Hotel have a fitness centre?
Yes, the on-site Energize Fitness & Leisure includes a Technogym-equipped gym, an 18-metre indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub.
How far is The Spencer Hotel from Dublin Airport?
Dublin Airport is about 10 km (6 miles) away. The Dublin Express aircoach stops directly across from the hotel. Journey time is roughly 30–40 minutes.
Are pets allowed at The Spencer Hotel?
No, pets are not allowed according to the hotel’s official listing on HotelDublin.net.
Does the spa require advance booking?
Yes, advance booking is recommended. Contact Viola Day Spa at info@viola.ie for appointments and pricing.