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Cork city, being the second-largest city in Ireland, is great for visitors.
There are awesome castles to tour, those that have been converted into hotels, others are museums while some are in ruins.
Natural features, especially islands, are popular attractions as well.
But before you begin your adventures, you need to find the ideal Cork accommodation in the perfect location.
There’s a wide range of options so you can compare different features, amenities and locations before picking the one that’s ideal and stands out for you.
I’ve compiled this list of our top 10 best accommodation choices to help you decide where to stay in Cork.
Enjoy the read.
We’ve used Booking.com for our travels in Europe, America and Asia. They’ve proved to be reliable and are the cheapest booking site. They also have a huge range of hotels and hostels in Cork and other travel destinations in the world.
Booking.com website is quite straightforward so even if you’ve never used them before, you can quickly understand everything. You can also get the mobile app to help you make reservations on the move.
Another great thing about Booking.com is their loyalty program. Once you complete at least two bookings within two years, you qualify to be a Genius member. That way you are eligible for some amazing perks like early check-ins and late check-outs on certain properties. You can also get up to 10% discounts.
Agoda is another awesome booking site we’ve been using lately. They also have a big range of accommodations to choose from. The best part is that they sometimes have cheaper prices than even Booking.com, thanks to AgodaCash.
To make your work easier, I’ve included links to both these sites in my list of hotels below. You can compare and see which one has the best deal for the hotel you’d like to book.
Best luxury hotel in Cork
Best mid-range Cork hotel
Best budget accommodation in Cork
Best luxury hotel in Cork
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Get celebrity treatment at one of the grand 5-star hotels in Cork. Located on a 220-acre estate, Castlemartyr offers wonderful walks on the property. There are beautiful gardens here and an ancient castle’s ruins right next to it. The rooms are massive, offering countryside views and featuring a flat-screen TV, luxurious furniture and an en-suite bathroom. Free WiFi is accessible everywhere on the property.
For fun activities, guests can swim in the indoor heated pool or relax on the beach chairs or outdoor furniture. The hot tub/ jacuzzi in the spa centre is amazing after a nice relaxing massage. You can also head to the exceptional fitness centre for exercise. The Bell Tower is an award-winning restaurant on site. This is the place to be for fine dining and enjoying tasty Irish cuisines or a traditional afternoon tea. While Franchini’s has got you covered when it comes to Italian cuisine.
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More: Check location on map / Read more independent reviews
Luxury hotels in Cork include this stunning accommodation located on the banks of river Lee. It provides a beautiful heated indoor pool which guests can use all year round. The fitness centre here offers fitness classes so you can remain in shape even during your vacations. Don’t forget the hot tub/jacuzzi for relaxation. The hotel can also help you organize trips in Cork through their concierge and you can enjoy sumptuous meals at the restaurants on-site with some drinks as well.
River Lee Hotel has spacious rooms featuring modern interior decor and great lighting thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Some of the amenities therein include a flat-screen TV, wardrobe, safety deposit box and a comfy seating area. The units have both air-conditioning and heating. Each en-suite bathroom comes fully equipped with a power shower, free toiletries and towels. The whole property is wheelchair-accessible. They offer free parking and WiFi.
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More: Check location on map / Read more independent reviews
Hayfield Manor offers luxurious facilities that easily make it stand out as one of the top hotels in Cork. These include its central location just 15 minutes walk from Cork centre, a relaxing spa centre featuring an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna and an elegant a la carte restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, classic Irish dishes and a range of fine wines and spirits. The hotel has a wonderful ambience with beautiful interior decor.
The rooms are large and cosy, featuring an orthopaedic bed so you can enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep. For entertainment, there is a flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Heating and air-conditioning are also room amenities in this property. The luxurious marble bathrooms feature a bath, shower, free designer toiletries and hairdryer. Towels and bathrobes are provided for your convenience. With all these amazing amenities, no wonder Hayfield Manor is one of the best accommodation in Cork.
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Located within 3 km from its golf course and just a 5-minutes walk from Ireland’s large wildlife park, Fota Island Hotel & Spa is one of the best places to stay in Cork. The luxurious spa on-site boasts 18 treatment rooms. They offer hydrotherapy, a range of massages and thermal suites. These are great for relaxing coupled with a nice swim in the indoor pool. Kids can also have fun in the children’s playground.
Another reason Fota Island is one of the best hotels in Cork is its sophisticated restaurant. So stylish and spacious, it’s the perfect setting for delicious traditional and international cuisines. Guests can also dine al fresco. You can go for afternoon tea or a cocktail at the bar. The bedrooms here feature a mini-bar, flat-screen TV, seating area and free WiFi. Each unit has a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and bathrobes.
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Best mid-range Cork hotel
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Ambassador Hotel & Health Club is one of the 4-star hotels in Cork situated just a few minutes walk to the city centre and the famous English market. This location is ideal for visiting several tourist attractions, including Cork City Opera House, Blarney Castle and Collins Barracks Military Museum. You can use the free WiFi available to search for different places to explore in the area. The friendly staff at the tour desk can help you plan these trips.
Featuring stylish rooms, the facility offers flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms and tea/coffee making facilities. You’ll enjoy staying at this accommodation in Cork. Each bathroom is fully equipped for your convenience. Some of the rooms include a balcony offering city views and the a la carte restaurant serves tasty Irish cuisine made using the finest quality ingredients. Ambassador Health Club features a good fitness centre, a spa lounge and sauna.
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If you’ve been searching for Cork boutique hotels, look no further. This tranquil hotel located just a kilometre from the city centre is one amazing 4-star hotel. Boasting a 20 m indoor pool, guests can have aquarobics and swimming lessons. There is a gymnasium for more fitness and a sauna and jacuzzi for relaxation. Free public parking and WiFi is available. Luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk if provided.
For rooms in Cork, The Montenotte hotel offers some of the best. They are spacious and feature tea/coffee making facilities, TVs, irons and hair dryers. En-suite bathrooms are equipped with baths and showers. Free toiletries are provided. From families, friends, couples and solo travellers, guests of all types can enjoy a comfortable stay at this property. Babysitting services are available for parents with children. The in house cinema shows films every night for your entertainment.
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More: Check location on map / Read more independent reviews
This 4-star hotel is located not too far from the city centre. Featuring a heated indoor swimming pool, guests can enjoy a dip at any time of the year. This is great for relaxing and makes Rochestown one of the best hotels to stay in Cork. They also have an award-winning fitness centre which includes a modern gym, hot tub, sauna and a range of treatments for your enjoyment.
Both air-conditioning and heating are provided in the bedrooms to ensure you have the most comfortable sleeping environment. Each unit is spacious, features a flat-screen TV, mood lighting and a luxurious bed with feather duvets. You can stay indoors and order room service at your leisure or head to the restaurant for fine dining. For the private marble bathrooms, there are hairdryers, baths or showers and free toiletries. Outside is a beautiful garden and a terrace where guests can chill.
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This family-run B&B is located in the heart of the city where some people consider to be the best area to stay in Cork due to proximity to shops, pubs and other local places. Creedons Traditional Irish Welcome Inn B&B offers rooms with flat-screen satellite TVs, wardrobes, city views and en-suite bathrooms with showers. You can order for the hearty traditional Irish breakfast. It’s always delicious.
For drinks, there’s an in house bar. Guests can relax in the shared lounge while watching TV and interacting with other travellers. Free WiFi is accessible throughout the property. Street parking is available. The staff and owners of this place are very kind and friendly. They can give you tips on where to go and what to do for fun in Cork. And at the end of the day, you can unwind back at the B&B and enjoy the evening entertainment.
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Best budget accommodation in Cork
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Sheilas Tourist Hostel offers cheap accommodation in Cork without compromising comfort, cleanliness and convenience. The rooms are tidy and the beds are comfortable. Located just a few minutes walk to the city centre, guests can easily get to the city to explore or go to local eateries, shops and markets. For an additional cost, you can relax in the sauna on the property.
There is also a cinema room where the hostel shows films every day on a plasma-screen TV. Here they provide bean bags in addition to some chairs to sit on. Free WiFi is available in public areas and there are a few computers provided by the hostel for guests to use. Hang out in the shared lounge or on the terrace where you can mingle with other guests and make new friends. A shared kitchen is available for preparing your own meals or snacks.
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More: Check location on map / Read more independent reviews
This Cork guest house offers value for money. The modern rooms are spacious, featuring a wardrobe, chair and work desk, tea and coffee making facilities and a multi-channel TV. There’s also a direct-dial telephone for your convenience. Private bathrooms are also available featuring a shower and free toiletries. The property is always clean and tidy and the staff will make your stay all the more comfortable with their kind friendliness.
Free WiFi is accessible throughout the property. A comfortable shared lounge is provided for relaxing. Luggage storage and laundry are available at an additional cost and guests can also order for a full continental breakfast. To add to the convenience, Achill House provides ironing services and heating. From this guesthouse, guests can easily explore Cork City attractions and surrounding areas, for example, Blarney Castle and Stone or the Lakes of Killarney.
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There are many places to visit in Cork, both within the city and outside. From historic buildings to natural features this Ireland destination will keep you occupied all through your stay.
There are many things to do and places to visit in Cork. We have a list of the 19 best places. So, to get more ideas, check out our post on things to do in Cork.
In conclusion, Cork is one of the best places to visit in Ireland. Clearly, there’s a wide range of hotels, resorts and hostels that you can stay at. You only need to pick one which suits your needs and preference. Once you find that, go ahead and plan on exploring the various attractions. I believe you’ll enjoy every minute of your visit.
