Children can stay and eat for free at the College Green Hotel this summer

Close to the Wax Museum and Trinity College, and with the Spike and GPO a stone’s throw away, the five-star College Green Hotel is located in the heart of the city centre.

I had only been there for afternoon tea before, but when I saw their summer offer where children under 12 sleep and dine for free, I decided to be a tourist in my own city for the first time. I packed my two sons in the car and checked in.

For €30 per night you can use the valet parking. I therefore parked at the side of the hotel, where I was met by the parking staff to enjoy a summer day in Dublin.

The College Green Hotel, which spans three buildings on Westmoreland Street, is impressive from the gecko, its lobby all marble with huge columns and floral decorations. A short flight of stairs on your right leads to the distinctive Atrium Lounge, where a roaring fire burns in mid-July.

There is a cosy, family atmosphere here. A private room next to the elegant bar is decorated with pink balloons for Aisling’s 21st birthday lunch. At the bar, an American couple sip cocktails, while in another corner a couple enjoys afternoon tea.

Upstairs I am staying on the first floor with interconnecting rooms overlooking Westmoreland Street and Trinity College. The rooms are spacious and spotlessly clean with huge beds, 500 thread count sheets, an Italian marble bathroom with a rain shower and art deco decor. My room has a huge bath with fluffy towels and the welcome tray with chocolate macaroons is a nice touch for the boys.

We walk down Henry Street for a bit of shopping and I chat to the lads about the Easter Rising as we walk past the GPO, telling them how people used to gather under the famous Clerys clock before mobile phones.

There’s a trip to Arnotts for the toy shop and Foot Locker for new shorts. It’s nice not to be in a rush, not to worry about parking and just to wander around your own city without pressure.

We ate in the Morelands Grill restaurant in the hotel where the two boys ate free under the deal. The children’s menu has a good choice, there are burgers, chicken goujons, fish and chips and pasta with butter or red sauce with chocolate brownies for dessert to round it off.

Morelands is all about steaks, no doubt catering to the large numbers of American tourists who stay here year-round.

There is an early bird menu between 5pm and 7pm with two courses for €35. The late menu offers everything from Carlingford oysters and scallops for starters to Ribeye and Porterhouse steaks for mains, and add truffle fries for €7.50 to any dish.

Back in the room, the bathroom is so fancy that I have to take a bath while the kids watch TV. Then I sink into a lovely bed and even though I’m on Westmoreland Street, I don’t hear any traffic as I fall asleep.

Breakfast is back at The Morelands Grill, where there is a large buffet with freshly squeezed orange juice, apple juice and pineapple juice.

A large stack of fluffy pancakes with berries and bacon, sprinkled with powdered sugar, comes out for my son, while the other goes in search of fresh smoothies.

Breakfast here is good, with strong coffee and plenty in the buffet, including a huge slice of honeycomb. After checking out, the valet had my car parked on Fleet Street around the corner within five minutes, as our city break back home was coming to an end.

Click here for more information about this offer.

The offer includes an overnight stay in spacious and furnished rooms (basic family rooms have two double beds), with children staying free of charge.

Each room is equipped with all modern conveniences and special touches, luxurious bathrobes, slippers, linens, Italian marble bathrooms, separate bath and Amouage toiletries.

The package includes a family breakfast at Morelands Grill and children under 12 can even enjoy a free lunch or dinner at Morelands Grill or The Atrium Lounge when dining with their parents!