Sitting in the elegant dining room of Cork’s River Lee Hotel highlighted the epitome of what is most important to the Irish.
Fun and family all the way, with delicious food and drink thrown in too. Part of the Doyle Collection, which has seven other beauties in Dublin, London, Bristol and Washington DC in the USA, the hotel has a real sassy feel about it, and with its restaurant voted number one in Ireland’s second city, it’s a great place to stay while visiting the historical place.
Cork is such an easy place to walk around, and this four star hotel is tucked away just outside the main hub, with its name a tribute to the river which runs through the city and has 42 bridges, of which 29 are in the centre along with one tunnel.
The abundance of water, bridges and boat houses earned Cork the nickname of Venice of the North, in the days when there were more canals than streets and as a nod to the fact the city was built on an array of marshy islands, a true feat of engineering.
Today the hotel takes pride of place on the banks of the river and if lucky, guests have a wonderful view of the wide waterway from bedroom windows, with swans gracing the water and giving it that country feel.
With 182 rooms, 50 of which are deluxe, 29 river views and 103 classic rooms, the tall hotel is vibrant from the minute the revolving door invites you in.
Two glass lifts allow stunning views of the city, and each floor has modern sitting areas for relaxation away from the room.
Clear cut décor along with wonderfully comfortable beds await in the rooms, which are spacious and have tea and coffee making facilities, with crystal clear Tipperary bottled water available.
Toiletries come courtesy of The White Company with lime, blossom and orange scents and a trouser press, safe and hi tech television are catered for.
Hotel guests have the use of a well kitted out gym, 20 foot swimming pool and thermal suite and there are laundry and concierge services available.
But it’s the vibe of the hotel which makes it so special and no more so than the bars which are stocked with local drinks including hand-crafted Beara Ocean gin, from nearby Castletownbere.
In The River Club Bar, there is a cool New York vibe and from 5:00pm until 10:00pm there are small plates of delights such as Ballycotton Oysters with ponzyu dressing (€12 to €24) to seared garlic and herb Quigley’s hanger steak with chimichurri (€15) and crispy Otofu tacos served with pickled jalapenos, red onion and Malay dressing (€14) for the vegetarians.
On good weather days the riverside terrace has a Mediterranean feel to it and serves a brunch and lunch menu with scrumptious choices as Ballycotton seafood chowder with dill Albariño cream and Guinness brown bread (€15.50), Massaman curry, potatoes, green beans, spiced cashews and pilau rice (€18.50) and classics such as toasted Hegarty cheddar sourdough with heritage tomatoes and harissa sandwich plus fries (€15.50) for the non-meat eaters.
The place to be though, if you can get a seat is The Grill Room, the ultimate in sophisticated dining, where 10 oz Quigley’s Angus sirloin steak (€40) served with oxtail stuffed shallot, herb rosti, parsnip purée and a choice of sauce, compete with pan fried Skeaghanore duck breast in spiced plum jus, duck leg choux farci and roasted pumpkin (€34) and roasted squash tagliatelle, with baby spinach leaf, garlic sofrito and parmesan (€27).
Rare whiskeys from neighbouring Middleton, South East Cork are served in handcrafted glassware from Criostal na Rinne in the chic modern 20th century cocktail bar and breakfasts are top notch too with local produce very much the mainstay of the menu and choices of traditional dishes such as full Irish breakfast competing with more trendy options like shakshuka eggs.
Just as elegant as the hotel, is Cork itself and guests can take the option of seeing it through the eyes of curators including home cook food writer William Murry, who was raised in nearby Currabinny, Cork screenwriter Caroline O’Donoghue and local journalist Jo Linehan, all who offer their tips of where to go and what to see.
If you are stuck for time, the city hop on hop off bus (corkcitytours.com) will whizz you through Cork, from the Victorian Quarter to St Patrick’s Quay, spotting the famous Shandon and St Fin Barre’s Cathedrals and the old city jail.
There’s plenty to see and do, from historic to modern, with the restaurants and bars ready and waiting to give a traditional Irish welcome!
The Details
The River Lee, Western Road, Cork, T12 X2AH, Ireland.
Tel: + 353 21 425 2700
Website: www.doylecollection.com
Email: riverlee@doylecollection.com
The hotel is located in the heart of the city and has an abundance of offers ready to tempt a stay, from best rates for longer stays to complimentary breakfast and seasonal specials.
Type of hotel: 4-Star Boutique Hotel
Number of Rooms: 182 rooms
Price Band: Medium to high
Insider Tip: Grab a room which gives both river and city views.
Reviewer’s rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Photographs courtesy of The Doyle Collection
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