FROM the expressions on my work colleagues' faces, you'd have thought I had announced that I planned to climb Everest in my bare feet.

Instead, the source of their amusement and incredulity was my revelation that, at the age of 31, I had never been to Dublin.

Given that I have enjoyed plenty more far-flung destinations, it does seem unusual that a trip to a city just three hours' drive from home has somehow always slipped under my radar.

Now, having had the opportunity to put that right as a guest of the luxurious Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel, it definitely won't be anywhere near as long before I'm back by the banks of the Liffey.

Dublin offers a myriad of opportunities for visitors, whether for an overnight sojourn, a weekend break or a longer stay.

And if, like me, you're tackling it for the first time, then a central location for accommodation is a must - and that's where the Academy Plaza comes into its own.

Situated on the quiet (in relative Dublin terms, at least!) side street Findlater Place, a 10 second walk from the front door brings you slap, bang onto the hustle and bustle of Upper O'Connell Street.

The hotel has been in operation since 1997 but has really taken off since a 30 million Euro rebuild in 2006.

Proprietor Joe Commerford, a Kilkenny businessman, acquired the site in 1995 with a view to building apartments.

That was the plan right up until the morning that the work was due to start, when he took a stroll around O'Connell Street and Parnell Street and it dawned on him that it was the perfect site for a hotel. So Joe headed back to the site, turned the cement trucks away and the Academy Plaza Hotel was born!

The redevelopment saw the hotel transformed from a 100-bedroom complex to 285 deluxe bedrooms and suites - significantly addressing the need for quality overnight accommodation in Dublin city centre.

Stylish and contemporary in design, all areas of the hotel are finished to an excellent three-star standard, including spacious lobbies, a warm and welcoming Bar Bistro and one of the 'jewels in the crown', the Abacus restaurant, which offers an authentic Asian-fusion food experience, featuring some of the most beautifully prepared and delectable Chinese cuisine I have ever tasted.

If your stay is more business-orientated than leisure, corporate guests can relax and unwind in comfort in modern and fully-equipped rooms featuring Wifi internet access, interactive plasma screen TV, with the most up-to-date conference technology available on-site.

What makes the Academy Plaza such an attractive proposition is that, regardless of the reason for your visit to Dublin, it's the ideal starting point for wherever you're going.

If you're heading to Croke Park for a sporting event or concert, it's a matter of minutes away.

Likewise, theatre enthusiasts have their entertainment venues virtually on the doorstep.

The fashionistas also have a field day with all the major high-street stores on Grafton Street, while those aiming to unwind with an authentic 'drop of the black stuff' can visit the Guinness Storehouse or some of the many pubs in the Temple Bar area.

And for the family, nearby attractions include Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, the National History Museum and Kilmainham prison, with an open-top bus tour one of the best ways to get an all-encompassing view of the city.

All in all, the Academy Plaza is the perfect base for a break in Dublin...just don't wait as long as I did to experience it!

For further information, visit www.academyplaza.ie