Where? In the heart of the Irish capital, overlooking St Stephen's Green, a leafy square described by James Joyce as the 'soul of the city'.
Well-placed, then? Boasting the city's best address, the hotel is within strolling distance of Trinity College, the shops on Grafton Street and trendy Temple Bar, which is awash with watering holes.
Bijoux boutique or swanky old-timer? Built in 1824, the Shelbourne comprises three adjoining Georgian townhouses. It has a rich and historical past: the Free State Constitution was drafted here in 1922, and during the second world war, writer Elizabeth Bowen filed secret reports to Winston Churchill from information gathered over tea.
Who goes there now? The likes of Kylie Minogue, Julia Roberts, Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Neeson, Bono, Pierce Brosnan, Sinead O'Connor and Bob Geldof. The hotel is also popular with suits, thanks to its excellent conference facilities.
What's the decor like? Truly, madly, deeply traditional. Think stucco ceilings, Waterford chandeliers, gleaming old masters, Irish Chippendale chairs and a red, green and gold palette.
Are the guest quarters similarly olde worlde? Continuing refurbishment means that room styles range from outmoded to modern. Older rooms feature Regency striped wallpaper, flowery bedspreads, pleated lampshades and patterned carpets, while the new-look accommodation is crisper.