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The Grand Hotel in Malahide has unveiled its fully refurbished events space, the newly relaunched Tara Suite, part of a wider upgrade after the hotel changed hands earlier this year. The overhaul — completed by owner FBD Hotels & Resorts since taking control in March 2025 — includes a multi-million-euro investment aimed at marrying historic character with contemporary styling.
A staged renovation across the property
FBD Hotels & Resorts has put €7 million into renovating the site. Work began with ground-floor areas and continued into a second phase that refreshes the hotel’s leisure facilities and historic fabric.
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The project reimagines the hotel’s original wing, which dates back to 1835, and relaunches it as the Phoenix Wing. Upgrades also include a revamped Arena Health & Fitness Club and the complete transformation of the Tara Suite into a principal event space.
What the Tara Suite now offers
The redesigned suite aims to provide a versatile backdrop for weddings, conferences and large events. Positioned with views over the Malahide Estuary, the space can host banquet dining for up to 300 guests and conferences of as many as 450 delegates.
Permanent features added during the refit include a built-in dancefloor and a stage, plus a bar reworked with gold panelling and contemporary light fittings. The adjacent Tara staircase has been renewed to reflect the new ground-floor scheme, creating a cohesive arrival experience.
Design details and finishes
Interior designer Liz Harte led the look, introducing curated materials intended to balance classic glamour with modern restraint. Walls are clad in textured Hohenberger wallpaper in soft beige, crème, gold and sand tones, set off by newly painted paneling in a refined grey-beige.
A neutral, abstract carpet runs beneath floor-to-ceiling velvet drapes with decorative pullbacks. Six crystal chandeliers punctuate the room, chosen to add warmth and a sense of occasion without overwhelming the space.
Positioning for business and private events
With 201 bedrooms in total — including rooms in the newly opened Phoenix Wing — The Grand positions itself as a venue capable of hosting everything from intimate meetings to large-scale international conferences, exhibitions and gala dinners.
Hotel management says the refurbished meeting and event areas are intended to combine the property’s coastal heritage with contemporary amenities, offering organisers a refined setting designed to encourage connection and productivity.
Management view
Syed Rizvi, general manager, described the works as part of the hotel’s broader commitment to improving guest experience and creating a memorable setting for major events. He said the redesign balances luxury and practical function to meet a wide range of event needs.
