MALDRON MERRION
20 mins from Leopardstown
From Only €157 pp
The 4* Maldron Hotel on Merrion Road is one of the best Hotels to stay in for the Christmas Festival. Located just outside the centre of Dublin City on the sea front in the upscale D4 area of Dublin. Only 25 minutes from Leopardstown Racecourse. You can book stays from 1 night to a whole week !!
Our packages include luxury Classic Rooms, either with 1 x King Size (Double) or 2 x Separate Beds (Twin). All guest rooms are designed to maximise your comfort and they include a well appointed luxury en-suite bathroom, flat screen TV, complimentary WiFi, plenty of hanging space and very comfortable Maldron signature bed(s). Upgrades to Sea View rooms and Suites are also available at additional cost.
To get your fast quote simply select the Package you want, then the Number of Guests you wish to book for and the TOTAL PRICE will be displayed for you. If you would then like to book just click the Green Button and a secure booking form will open where you can fill out your personal and card details.
QUOTE & BOOK
WHATS INCLUDED
Our Race and Stay Packages include all you need for a great stay for the Christmas Festival
Racing takes place at Leopardstown on the 26th to the 29th December 2026
WHEN YOU BOOK
Over 80,000 happy guests have booked with Race and Stay and when you book with us you can chose to pay a €100 deposit or Pay In Full. Either way your payment to us is fully refundable anytime up until 20/11/26. When you book you will be automatically emailed a BOOKING CONFIRMATION which contains all the details of your requested booking.
AFTER YOU BOOK
Our booking terms are very fair and easy to understand, for both you and us. After you have booked you can email us to change anything, add extras or cancel your booking in full and receive a full refund anytime up until 31 days before you arrive. From 31 days through event no refunds are possible but you may be able to change some minor details.
FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT
The fastest and most comfortable way to get to The Maldron Hotel is by taxi, cost will be about €60. Aircoach 702 service stops close to the hotel. Journey time is approx 45 minutes, depending on traffic. For more information please use this link here
ARRIVING BY CAR
The Maldron Hotel is located on the sea front in the upscale D4 area of Dublin City. Directions from anywhere to The Maldron Hotel, Merrion Road can be found Here The Hotel an underground car park and costs are from €13 per day for residents.
PRIVATE TRANSPORT
Private Transfers are available to and from Dublin Airport with our travel partner, Platinum Driving Services.
You can view charges and book online HERE. For Groups of 7 or more guests we can offer Private return coach transport from €250 each way, depending on guest numbers.
CHECKING IN
Please go to Hotel reception and check in. If you arrive before check in time (3:30pm) you may not have access to your room. In this case the Hotel will store your luggage for you until your room is ready. The Hotel will be 100% full during this event so please be prepared for a longer check in time than normal.
OUR GUEST DESK
Our Race and Stay guest desk is located a short distance from Hotel reception. Our staff are based there each morning and this is where you will collect your race tickets from each day. We are there to help you have the best time possible. Our Guest Manager will give you the latest information.
YOUR ROOM AND COMFORT
Maldron Hotel rooms are all en-suite are generally larger than most Hotels with very comfortable Beds and Pillows. You'll have plenty of hanging space for your clothes, with in room safe, tea and coffee station, hairdryer, flat screen TV and channels, iron and board, fluffy towels and all you need for your stay.
BISTRO & BAR
The excellent Grain and Grill Restaurant serves high quality fayre for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Breakfast can be a healthy option or the more traditional "full Irish". The Bar offers a range of snacks and Casual meals, Barista Coffee and speciality teas and is a great spot apres racing for a cold beer.
COFFEES & SNACKS
The Red Bean Roastery is a fabulously comfortable place for a casual meal, snack or just a speciality tea or coffee as well as a selection of pastries, gourmet sandwiches, salads, fruit and or breakfast pots. Serving true barista coffee, trust us it is very good, made from beans from Central and South America, Africa and Asia.
CLOSE BY
The Maldron on Merrion Road is a short taxi ride away from the trendy bars and restaurants of Blackrock and also to the best bars and nightlife in the city centre. Blackrock has a fabulous up-market shopping area and virtually all you need can be obtained there. You can also walk into Dublin along the sea front.
THE RACES
There are feature races on all four days of the festival. On Saturday 26th December The feature races are the Grade 2 Knight Frank Novice Hurdle and the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase. On Sunday 27th December The Grade 1 Paddy Power Chase and Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Hurdle.
THE RACES
On Monday 28th December The Grade 1 Leopardstown Hurdle and the exciting and valuable Grade 1 Savills Chase take centre stage. And on Tuesday 29th December the two big races are The Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle and the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase. A fabulous 4 days to enjoy !!
RACE TRANSPORT
Our race coach departs the Hotel to Leopardstown 1 Hr 30 mins before the first race each day. Where the coach drops you off is where you'll catch the coach back to the hotel after racing. On Sunday we run one coach to and from The Curragh which departs at 12 noon and departs the Curragh at 18:15pm.
TICKETS & HOSPITALITY
Please collect your race tickets from our Guest Desk no later than 11:30 each morning. When you arrive at the racecourse entrance you will have your ticket scanned and you are free to enjoy your day. Premier Level and Hospitality guests will be escorted by our staff to the area they are booked into.
AT THE RACES
All days will be very busy but great fun. There are several food and drinks outlets outside and inside the grandstand. Entertainment will be on during the afternoon and after racing so if you want to stay on, please do, you can get a taxi or just walk back to the hotel if you leave after the last shuttle has departed.
WHAT TO WEAR
There is no formal dress code on Irish Racecourses but no sportswear or anything offensive. For the Ladies, if you want to “glam up for the day” please do so, but do also dress for the weather. For the Gents, smart casual always works in all areas but the main rule is to be comfortable and warm in what you are wearng.
PREMIER LEVEL UPGRADE
From €120
Premier Level will have access to the third floor of the grandstand. This level has additional Bars and a Restaurant and Tote outlets. Package also includes a reserved grandstand seat overlooking the racecourse.
1888 RESTAURANT
From €250
Located on the first floor of the grandstand with the racecourse on one side and a balcony overlooking the parade ring on the other. 3 Course A la Carte Lunch, race card and reserved restaurant seat for the day.
PAVILION HOSPITALITY
From €220
Located in the new Pavilion Building with panoramic windows with great views. You also have access to the Grandstands and facilities. 3 Course Buffet Lunch with race card and reserved restaurant seat for the day.
Please note that all information is given "as is" at the time of publication. Your full guest information will be emailed to you during the second week of December which will contain all you'll need to know about your stay with us. If you have any questions about the Christmas Festival please do email us HERE
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
" Once again I would like to thank you and your team for another wonderful festival experience, with a special thank you to Amanda, the way we are treated from arrival to departure is second to none & speaks volumes for your professionalism & dedication to your guests. " Brynn
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