Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, the Clarence is owned by Bono and the Edge, of U2 fame. And yes, the Clarence is more or less the official stopover for actors, musicians and the like — but we’d argue that this has little to do with the owners’ marquee value, and everything to do with the fact that, at bottom, it’s simply a well-designed and thoughtfully conceived hotel. This 1852 Regency building stands at the side of the River Liffey, in the heart of Dublin’s gentrified Temple Bar district, a once-dodgy neighborhood turned carouser’s paradise, now in the midst of a creative boom. The penthouse suite, in fact, quite spectacularly overlooks the river, with panoramic views over the city from the outdoor terrace. In contrast with the Regency architecture, the Clarence’s interiors are all earth tones and smartly informal Shaker-style furnishings. The guest rooms are individually styled, most furnished with massive super-king beds, and all equipped with such necessities as mini-bars and high-speed wi-fi. If you’re a proper rock star, you’ll be entertaining guests in the penthouse around the baby grand piano, while the rest of us mingle in the remarkably sedate Octagon bar. (The owners have never been much for hedonistic rock-star excess.) And Cleaver East restaurant strikes a similar note, serving modern Irish fare by two of Dublin's finest chefs. How to get there: The Clarence is about a 30-minute drive from Dublin International Airport (DUB). A taxi from the airport to the hotel costs approximately €35, depending on traffic. About The Clarence: The Clarence Hotel, located on the famous River Liffey, puts guests in the heart of the Temple Bar cultural quarter and within walking distance of Dublin Castle, Trinity College and Grafton Street shopping.