Irish Staycations: The Montenotte Hotel, Cork

WHO TO BRING… A group of friends.

WHAT? The Montenotte is a family-run hotel perched atop a hill in Cork’s affluent Montenotte neighbourhood overlooking the city. It has the intimate and individual feel of a much smaller hotel, while offering all the luxuries you’d find in a bigger star-studded property.

WHY? There’s something to please everyone in the group. Within walking distance, or a quick taxi trip, you have the best of Cork City at your fingertips for a buzzy city break.

Equally, there’s little need to leave the hotel, with its offering of a luxurious treatment in the Bellevue spa (housed in the original Georgian part of the hotel), an evening film in the luxurious Cameo Cinema, or a wander around the beautiful sunken Victorian garden. You don’t even have to venture out for dinner either, with top-notch food served in the brasserie-style restaurant, under the direction of executive chef Tabrez Shaikh.

HIGHLIGHTS: The Glasshouse, the hotel’s impressive new rooftop bar and terrace, is undoubtedly the star of the show right now. As well as its bold interior – with deep blue tiles, plush velvet seats and antique brass finishes – the bar offers sensational views of the city below, making it the perfect place to start a great night out or settle in for a catch-up over cocktails. The menu is full of tempting options, but we found it hard to stray from the bar’s signature G&T, The Montenotte. Made with the hotel’s own gin and garnished with lavender and rhubarb, it’s an incredibly sippable mix of floral and tart flavours.

THIS SPRING: Boutique rooms in the Monenotte Hotel this July start from €220, or try the Urban Escape package, which includes a two-night overnight stay with breakfast on both mornings and dinner on one evening at the Panorama Bistro. Priced from €292.50, you’ll also be treated to a Merchant Prince Cocktail while soaking in the views from the Panorama Terrace, a Cameo Cinema experience with a Montenotte Gin & Poachers Tonic along with Popcorn, and a signature Grown Alchemist Gift in the room on arrival.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of IMAGE Magazine.