10 Mighty Hotels In Cork City At The Heart Of The Action

If you’re in search of the best hotels in Cork City, you’ve landed in the right place.

There are an almost endless number of hotels in Cork City (there’s plenty of B&Bs in Cork City, too!), ranging from 5 star luxury and boutique hotels to cheap places to rest your head.

From the gorgeous River Lee and the stunning Imperial Hotel to the Address, the Metropole and much, much more, there’s a place to stay to tickle every fancy.

In the guide below, you’ll find a clatter of Cork City hotels to choose from, many of which are close to the city’s oldest pubs and some unbeatable restaurants. 

Our favourite hotels in Cork City

The first section of this guide is packed with our favourite Cork City hotels – these are places that one or more of the Irish Road Trip Team have stayed in and that have raved about.

Note: if you book a hotel through one of the links below we’ll make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.

1. Imperial Hotel Cork City

South Mall is a local landmark. It is one of the most scenic and oldest streets in Cork. Here, you will find the Imperial Hotel – arguably the most iconic of the many Cork City hotels.

Attractions like the Opera House and the Crawford Art Gallery are minutes away. The hotel itself is spectacular in every way.

From the Aveda Escape Spa where you can enjoy treatments including massages, body polish, and facials to a resident’s only fitness centre fitted with modern exercise equipment, there is no shortage of leisure facilities at the hotel.

Staying hungry at the Imperial is not an option. The hotel offers several dining options including the posh Pembroke restaurant, the casual Souths Bar with live jazz music performances, Lafayette’s Brasserie that offers light snacks, and Fish Hatch where you can enjoy seafood and fish delicacies.

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2. Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City

One of the newest hotels in Cork City, Maldron Hotel South Mall is a 4-star property located in the heart of Cork City. It’s basically a perfect place to stay if you wish to be minutes from the city’s main shopping and entertainment district.

Tastefully decorated rooms with en-suite bathrooms are equipped with a cosy seating area, comfortable beds, and flat-screen TVs.

Guests say how both the continental and cooked breakfast at the hotel’s on-site restaurant is delicious and plentiful.

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3. The Address

The newly refurbished Address Cork has everything that is needed for an unforgettable weekend away in the city.

Located in the historic area of St Lukes and within walking distance from the heart of the city, this hotel is situated inside a lovely red-brick Victorian building and offers wonderful views of the city and the harbour.

Rooms are elegant and many feature high ceilings and impressive balconies. If you get hungry, pay a visit to the McGettigan’s Cookhouse & Bar that offers traditional Irish cuisine.

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4. Jurys Inn Cork

Shopaholics that wish to stay minutes from the Merchant’s Quay and Paul St shopping centres can book accommodation at the lovely Jurys Inn Cork.

Located just a short walk from attractions such as the English Market and Shandon Steeple, this elegant hotel has 133 spacious rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

The on-site restaurant serves delicious foods for breakfast including everything from fresh fruit and cereals to a hot buffet.

Don’t miss the hotel’s chic bar that offers lovely views of River Lee. It’s a perfect place to unwind with a cup of coffee or the local craft lager called the Rebel Red.

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Luxury Cork City hotels

The second section of our guide is packed with the fancier Cork City hotels on offer, with a mix of boutique and 4 star spots.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from well-know spots, like the River Lee, to some lesser-known gems that pack a punch.

1. The River Lee Hotel

The River Lee is one of the better-know Cork City hotels and, if you read our guide to the best hotels in Cork, you’ll know that it’s one of our favourites.

Attractions including the historic St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork Public Museum, and Lewis Glucksman Gallery are just a short stroll from the property. The views of the River Lee from the hotel are magnificent.

The hotel itself boasts a wide range of leisure facilities including an amazing 20-metre swimming pool, sauna, Vanilla Browns Spa that offers a variety of treatments, and a well-equipped gym.

Standard rooms come with crisp white linens and soft duck down duvets for the ultimate comfort. Foodies can look forward to visiting the Weir Room that offers three dining options.

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2. The Metropole Hotel Cork

It’s hard to beat the iconic Metropole Hotel Cork’s central location. With public transport hubs just around the corner, this 3-star hotel on MacCurtain Street offers easy access to some of the best cafes, pubs, restaurants, and boutiques in Cork.

The well-appointed hotel rooms are fitted with a range of modern facilities and boast en-suite bathrooms.

Metropole has many leisure facilities including a fitness centre, hot tub, sauna, and a swimming pool. Guests can also enjoy exercise classes like Pilates and Zumba for a small fee. In the morning, visit the Riverview Restaurant and enjoy delicious breakfast foods.

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3. Hotel Isaacs Cork City

Welcome to Hotel Isaacs, a boutique hotel located just a short walk from the centre of Cork. The hotel’s courtyard patio with a waterfall looks spectacular!

Guest rooms are nicely decorated and many offer views of the restaurant’s courtyard patio. You can also stay at the hotel’s 2 and 3 bedroom apartments that are fitted with fully-equipped kitchens.

Although the hotel doesn’t have its own leisure facilities, it offers discounted access to a nearby swimming pool and a fitness centre. For a memorable dining experience, guests should definitely visit the Greenes restaurant that is well-known for its superb cuisine.

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More Cork City hotels with an 8+ review score

The final section of our guide is packed with more hotels in Cork City that have racked up some impressive review scores online.

Below, you’ll find everywhere from the Clayton and the Maldron to the Kingsley and much, much more. Dive on in!

1. Clayton Hotel Cork City

The 4-star Clayton Hotel Cork City is located right in the heart of the city centre and just a few minutes from the Kent Railway Station.

Guests will find many tourist attractions and shopping areas in the area and can enjoy magnificent views of the River Lee from the hotel.

Rooms are furnished to the highest standard with Egyptian cotton linen and comfortable beds.  The hotel boasts 9 meeting rooms, a health and leisure club, and an indoor swimming pool in case you wish to go for a dip.

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2. Maldron Hotel Shandon Cork City

With an 8+ review score, the Maldron Hotel is one of the best hotels in Cork. Located in the Shandon cultural quarter, the hotel offers easy access to shopping districts and some of the most popular things to do in Cork City.

Step inside Club Vitae leisure facilities that include a steam room, sauna, and a 20-metre swimming pool. There is also a nice gym with weight and cardio machines if you wish to work out.

From the Bell’s Bar that offers casual dining to the Grain & Grill restaurant where guests will find a more formal vibe and signature dishes like Irish Angus Beef Burger and Kilmore Quay scallops and prawns, there is no shortage of excellent dining options at Maldron. Room service full menu is available until 10 pm.

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3. The Kingsley Hotel

If you wish to stay outside the city centre, I recommend spending a few nights at the prestigious Kingsley Hotel.

The views of the River Lee are fantastic, while the city centre is just a short drive away from this elegant property.

Leisure features include a spa centre with facials and massage treatments, a large indoor swimming pool, and two hot tubs where you can relax after a long day of exploring the city.

The hotel’s large fitness centre is equipped with more than 20 cardio machines and offers a wide range of gym classes like yoga, water aerobics, and circuits. 

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What Cork City hotels have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left our some brilliant Cork City hotels from the guide above.

If you know of any hotels in Cork City that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below! Cheers!

FAQs about the best hotels Cork City has to offer

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best cheap hotels in Cork City to which are the fanciest.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.