Travel 15th February 2022 by Denise Curtin

What’s It Like To Stay In A Sustainable Hotel? We Checked Out Dublin’s New Wren Urban Nest

One of the capital's newest and most innovative hotels marrying conscious choices with comfort and style. 

 

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Whether it’s buying less clothes, ditching plastic, eating less meat, using public transport or going paperless, making a conscious effort to be more eco-friendly is something that plays into our daily lives. In today’s world, we have never been more aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment and how change; be it little or big, can make a great deal of difference when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint.

Cue Wren Urban Nest in the heart of Dublin. A brand new hotel nestled in Dublin 2, putting sustainability at the forefront and paving the way for eco-conscious travellers who will certainly rest easy in this new spot. Opening its doors in October 2021, Wren Urban Nest was constructed using the most advanced sustainable technologies, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and allowing the hotel to operate on 100% renewable electricity. Noted as Ireland’s most sustainable hotel, this new establishment has put careful consideration into every fine detail, keeping both guests and the planet in mind, and its apparent from the minute you check in.

 

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Descending into the hotel via the main entrance, from the get-go there’s a sense of peace. The hotel’s open plan lobby, bar and restaurant area give the space a Scandinavian vibe that alights a sense of hygge. Everything feels tranquil with soft lighting, beautiful flower arrangements, wood furnishings and soft fabrics. The self check-in is done through digital tablets in the lobby, reducing the need for paper forms and waste. All the key cards are recycled too which is always good to hear, as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.

Within the bedrooms, cleverly titled as “nests” – which suits them perfectly because they are pretty compact, you get everything you want from a city centre bedroom. We’re talking a decent, large bed, a smart TV, good bathroom lighting for makeup application, a rainfall shower, touch screen lights and curtain control (this always makes me feel very fance!) But what the Wren offers than many others might overlook is green technologies and advances in every bedroom ensuring its commitment to the environment. For my stay I opted for the Cosy Nest at 12 sq m, the bigger of the two bedroom options sleeping up to two people. Now, for a hotel that has been described as a “micro-sleeper” due to the bedrooms’ capsule like size, I never felt at any stage like I was stuck for space. The rooms have undergone some nifty planning meaning although they’re compact you don’t feel cramped, but if you want to maximise that space, go for a room on the seventh floor – it houses the bigger rooms, with impressively high ceilings.

 

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Food wise, like the bedrooms, the hotel’s menu is compact, with breakfast, lunch and dinner all delivering just what an eager tourist or shopper needs before they head out about the town. For breakfast I opted for eggs and avocado on sourdough toast, in my opinion, the breakfast of champions. Also on offer was the Full Irish, porridge, French toast and veggie options which we love to see. During the day and into the evening, the ALT bar serves up everything from a delicious sandwich range to risotto and fresh fish, with the menu changing seasonally and the bar serving delish cocktails until 11pm. If you like vodka, I’d recommend the “Nest in the City” as a nightcap, it went down a treat!

Room rates at Wren Urban Nest start at €99.00. For more information and bookings, head over to www.wrenhotel.ie. 

Sustainable spots we salute! 

Eating – Sprezzatura

 

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With two locations in Dublin, Sprezzatura uses only the best local ingredients to create their divine pasta menu. Seeing it as both a sustainable option while promoting Ireland as a food destination. The restaurant also has no paper menus, no throwaway glass or plastic and it’s an olive-oil free zone. Best believe the hype and book ASAP.

Gifts – The Kind 

Located on Fade St, Dublin 2, The Kind is a beautiful place to shop thoughtful gifts and uncover incredible Irish brands with sustainability in mind. From self-care to stationary and homewares, The Kind’s range of sustainable and ethically made goods are the gift that keeps giving.

Shopping – Small Changes Wholefoods Store

With a zero-waste ethos, Small Changes Wholefoods Stores sells organic wholefoods, eco-friendly households, health and beauty products in Drumcondra and Inchicore. But do you want to know what makes these shops even greater? Their incredible refill stations with 200 plus products! It doesn’t get much better than that.

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