Built in the early 19th-century, The Townhouse is a classic example of Dublin Georgian architecture. Opened as a bed and breakfast in 1978, it maintains many original architectural features in its small lobby, including polished wooden columns, a cast-iron fireplace, and plaster coving. It is flooded with sunlight during the day and illuminated by a large centerpiece chandelier at night. Located on a busy street, the atmosphere borders on city-center hostel, attracting a mix of backpackers and young travelers and families, although it exudes a far greater sense of history and heritage than most.

The Townhouse is located on a busy city-center street, just north of the Liffey River and within walking distance of most of Dublin's attractions, such as the historic Customs House, Trinity College, and the Abbey Theater. It's a particularly convenient location for getting to the Convention Center, which is five minutes' away by cab, or about 15-minutes on foot. The lively nightlife of Temple Bar is just on the other side of the river, and about a 10-minute walk, while the nearest train station is about half a mile away. An airport bus service stops right outside the door and takes about 40 minutes.

Rooms, which include singles, doubles, and twins, are sparely decorated with modern furnishings, and each is named after a work of two playwrights who once lived there. Wooden floors extend to tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers and wall-mounted hairdryers. In-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, mounted TVs (some flat-screens, some old-style tube TVs), and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the Japanese garden. Rooms vary in size, and some of those that face the street can be noisy. Light sleepers might want to reserve rooms in the back that overlook the garden.

A full Irish breakfast is served in the large dining rooms, while there is also a kitchen where guests can cook their own meals. A self-service laundry is also available, where for a small fee guests can wash and iron their clothes. A Japanese garden at the back of the hotel provides a tranquil space to relax, and parking is available on-site for a fee, though spaces are limited.