Best Hotels for ICAPS 2026 Dublin
ICAPS 2026 runs June 27 to July 2 at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road in Dublin — the A* ranked conference on automated planning and scheduling, with a 27% acceptance rate and one of the more technically focused AI programmes on the calendar. If you received an acceptance or are attending to present, the time to book accommodation is now. Dublin in late June is in high season, and the hotels closest to the venue are not large.
The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road sits on Leeson Street Upper in Dublin 4, about 2 kilometres south of St Stephen’s Green. It’s a well-connected location — the LUAS Green Line runs nearby and the city centre is a manageable walk — but it’s not in the dense hotel district around the Green, so attendees staying centrally will have a short commute to sessions.
Stay in the conference hotel
Clayton Hotel Burlington Road is the ICAPS venue itself. Large conference-ready hotel with meeting spaces, a lively atmosphere, and everything you need for a full week of sessions without stepping outside. If you want zero commute and the convenience of being in the building, this is the straightforward choice.
Good for: presenters, session chairs, anyone who wants to be first in and last out each day.
Dublin 4: closest to the venue
These two are within easy walking distance of the Clayton on Leeson Street.
Mespil Hotel sits on Mespil Road in Dublin 4, a few minutes walk from the venue along the Grand Canal. Modern business hotel in the heart of the D4 district — clean, reliable, and well-priced for the location.
Herbert Park Hotel is a contemporary four-star in Ballsbridge, adjacent to Herbert Park and a short walk from the conference. The park itself is a good spot for a morning run or an evening wind-down after sessions.
Good for: attendees who want to be close to the venue without paying conference-hotel rates.
Grand Canal and D2: 10-15 minutes on foot
Hilton Dublin overlooks the Grand Canal on Charlemont Place — a straight 10-minute walk to the Clayton along the canal towpath. Reliable four-star with good fitness facilities and a central enough location to use as a base for the rest of Dublin.
Conrad Dublin is on Earlsfort Terrace at the corner of St Stephen’s Green, opposite the National Concert Hall. Five-star, elegant, and about a 20-minute walk to the venue — or a single LUAS stop. The pick if you want a genuine luxury stay with a St Stephen’s Green address.
Good for: industry attendees and senior researchers who want polished amenities and proximity to both the conference and the city.
City centre: St Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street
Dublin’s most hotel-dense area is around St Stephen’s Green and Grafton Street, about 2 kilometres from the Clayton. A single LUAS stop or a 20-minute walk. These hotels give you the best access to the city’s restaurants, pubs, and cultural attractions in exchange for a slightly longer commute to sessions.
The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection is the grand dame of Dublin hotels — a five-star on the north side of St Stephen’s Green with four restaurants and a full spa. One of Ireland’s most historic properties, and the kind of place where a week-long stay feels like an event in itself.
Marlin Hotel Dublin is a well-designed four-star near St Stephen’s Green with 301 soundproofed rooms. Modern, unpretentious, and very well-located for the Grafton Street area. Strong value for the location.
Brooks Hotel is a privately owned four-star on Drury Street, a short walk from Grafton Street. Known for personalised service and a good bar — one of the better-regarded independent hotels in central Dublin.
The Grafton Hotel is a modern four-star on Stephen Street Lower with clean, contemporary rooms and a central location. A reliable mid-range option if the surrounding hotels are sold out.
Good for: attendees who want to experience Dublin properly and don’t mind a short commute to the venue.
Dublin 8: the Liberties and Christchurch
The area around Christchurch Cathedral and the Liberties — Dublin 8 — is about 2.5 kilometres west of the Clayton, connected by the LUAS Red Line. It’s a neighbourhood that’s changed significantly in the last decade, with a cluster of new hotels alongside the historic streets.
Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin is a stylish four-star in the Liberties with a rooftop bar and modern rooms. The most design-forward hotel in this part of Dublin, and well-priced relative to the D2 options.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin is a full-service four-star on Golden Lane with a pool, sauna, and fitness studio. Solid Radisson amenities at reasonable Dublin rates.
Leonardo Hotel Dublin Christchurch sits beside Christ Church Cathedral — one of the most atmospheric locations in this list. Free WiFi, 24-hour reception, and a price point that works well for attendees covering their own costs.
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street and The Chancery Hotel round out the D8 options — both four-star, both well-located for the neighbourhood, and both meaningfully cheaper than equivalent properties in D2.
Good for: attendees who want Dublin character at lower rates, and anyone happy to LUAS to the venue.
Budget
Generator Dublin Hostel is in Smithfield Square in Dublin 7, beside the Jameson Distillery. Private and dorm rooms, a sociable atmosphere, and the lowest price point in this list. About a 30-minute walk or two LUAS stops to the venue — entirely workable for a week.
Good for: PhD students and early-career attendees on a tight budget.
Booking tips for ICAPS 2026
Book now. Dublin in late June is peak tourism season — Bloomsday is June 16, and the city is busy all month. The hotels closest to the venue are small relative to the conference attendance, and rates have been climbing steadily.
The LUAS Green Line is your friend. It connects the St Stephen’s Green area to Ranelagh and beyond, and stops close to Leeson Street. If you’re staying in D2, the tram takes under 10 minutes and runs frequently.
Dublin 4 is quieter than the city centre but it’s not isolated — Leeson Street itself has bars and restaurants, and the Grand Canal towpath is a good morning walk. You don’t need to be on Grafton Street to have a good week.
Evenings are long. Dublin in late June has daylight until nearly 10pm. There’s time after sessions to get to Temple Bar or a traditional music session in a Liberties pub before it gets dark. If you want a structured introduction to the city’s food scene, the Dublin Food on Foot Walking Tour covers the highlights in a couple of hours.
Day trip option. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour runs a coach transfer from Dublin to the Belfast studios and back — worth considering if you have a free day before or after the conference.
For the full conference schedule and the Dublin city guide, see the ICAPS 2026 conference page on WorkWander.
Staying an extra day or two? The Dublin city page covers the best neighbourhoods, how to get in from the airport, and what to do with free evenings.