Where to Stay

Whether you are on business looking for a comfortable room for the night or a family on a week's holiday, Cork offers prospective visitors a wide range of hotels, guesthouses and country houses from which to choose. Due to the compact nature of Cork, irrespective of where you stay, you will almost certainly be within walking distance of the city centre.

City Centre

The historic Imperial Hotel offers some of the best accommodation available in Cork and is situated in the city's banking and financial district on the South Mall. That famous denizen of the city, Michael Collins, spent his last night here; the suite where he stayed bears his name. South's Bar downstairs is one of the most popular in town. Along the banks of the Lee, Morrison's Island was the first all-suite hotel in Cork. The penthouses offer guests spectacular views of this intriguing area. Jury's Inn is also located on the river and is a great place for families as patrons are charged a room rate and there is a baby-sitting service available.

If you're in town for a spot of shopping, why not stay at the Victoria Hotel. It's located just off Patrick Street, the main shopping area, so you won't have far to go with those heavy bags. As Charles Stewart Parnell and James Joyce are former guests, you'll be in good company! Beside North Main Street, the city's oldest thoroughfare, are both North Gate Hostel and Seven North Mall. The former offers luxurious, relaxed, friendly accommodation at a reasonable price. Seven North Mall is a 240-year-old listed building. There are seven rooms and a small conference centre available. If you happen to be superstitious and seven is your lucky number then, needless to say, this is the place for you.

North of the City

One of the most attractive districts in the city is around Shandon. Here one finds St.Ann's Church housing the famous 'bells', the old Butter Market and the Firkin Crane dance project. Shandon Court Hotel, located under the eye of the clock, is an elegant hotel that successfully combines old world elegance with modern comfort. Up the street, Kinlay House Hostel offers probably the best budget accommodation in the city and is very popular with students and backpackers.

The Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street is one of the most popular in the city; it does excellent weekend deals and houses a fine swimming pool and leisure centre. Each October it becomes the home of the annual Jazz Festival. Nearby on Wellington Road sits D'Arcy's, a handsome Georgian guesthouse. There are super views of the city from the front of the house while breakfast is a real treat (check out the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs). On the same road lies the Glenvera Hotel, a Victorian mansion, the perfect resting place for the busy traveller.

In the exclusive suburb of Montenotte the Arbutus Lodge offers luxury accommodation in a beautiful setting. This elegant townhouse set in its own gardens was built in 1802 and overlooks the city. The hotel also houses a fine collection of modern Irish art. The nearby Country Club Hotel also offers breathtaking views of the city. Fitzpatrick's of Cork is located in the attractive suburb of Tivoli; there is a nine-hole golf course on the grounds and four eighteen-hole championship courses within a thirty-minute drive.

South of the City

On the South side one finds Jury's Hotel. This hotel is popular both with people on business and with families. Facilities include a heated indoor pool from which you can swim to an outdoor one, and a state of the art fitness centre. Off College Road sits Hayfield Manor Hotel, perhaps the best hotel in the city. It is set in two acres of mature gardens allowing guests to enjoy both the bustle of city life and the serenity of nature. It also provides conference facilities for up to one hundred delegates.

Beside University College Cork on Western Road there are many fine guesthouses. They include the Kilarney Guesthouse, Saint Kilda Guesthouse and the newly opened Lancaster Lodge. These all provide quality accommodation at reasonable rates. Off Western Road on Mardyke Walk, Roserie Villa Guesthouse is only 10 minutes from the city centre and is an ideal base for the busy executive or holidaymaker.

In the picturesque suburb of Douglas, the Rochestown Park Hotel is a manor style residence set in mature gardens. The hotel features an excellent leisure centre while Mahon golf club is located nearby. Also in Douglas, Maryborough House Hotel is set in 24 acres of listed gardens and woodland. It is a charming eighteenth-century house with a beautifully designed extension featuring excellent conference, banqueting and leisure facilities.

Beyond the City

The historic town of Kinsale is a popular place to visit. It has a wonderful marina and contains some of the best restaurants in the country. Scilly House was built in 1760 and is a mysterious, romantic place offering its guests spectacular sea views and fine California cuisine. In the centre of the town, Old Bank House is a perfect blend of Georgian splendour and modern comfort.

In Midleton, Ballymaloe House needs no introduction. This is the home of the famous Darina Allen, the woman responsible for the revival of Irish farmhouse cuisine. All the food served is locally produced, much of it on the Allen's farm itself. There is also a small golf course on the grounds and a lawn tennis court. Nearby in the small village of Cloyne is Barnabrow Country House, a seventeenth-century family-run guesthouse; it's the perfect setting for a relaxing vacation.

In West Cork, Inchdoney Island Hotel is situated on a small island and is an idyllic spot to spend some time. Facilities include a fully equipped thalassotherapy (seawater) spa while there are some lovely sandy beaches close by. Liss Ard Lake Lodge, in Skibbereen, offers luxury accommodation in the midst of an inspiring contemporary park overlooking the lake Abisdealy. It is a small exclusive hotel tailored for the individual guest. West Cork Hotel promises guests one of the warmest welcomes to be found anywhere in Ireland. It is an excellent base from which to explore this part of the country. In the beautiful village of Schull, East End Hotel is a family-run hotel overlooking the harbour. It offers good, affordable accommodation and families are always very welcome.