10 Best Hotels in County Cork, Ireland

Set on the village green only a minute's walk from the famed castle, this 1837 hotel occupies a traditional gabled building, with guest rooms on two stories above the bar and a quiet residents' lounge on the first floor. In the reception area, you may need to ring the brass bell to summon service. The interior is restrained and color-coordinated, with mahogany furniture, antiques, and brass light fixtures. Bathrooms have a striking black-and-white color scheme and are small but fitted with power showers. Locals crowd into both the Lemon Tree Restaurant and the bar (which has traditional music on Tuesday and Sunday and also serves food).

Two early-17th-century houses within the walls of Elizabeth Fort, one of the oldest and most historic sites in Cork, have been sensitively restored by the Irish Landmark Trust to offer a unique and historical Cork City experience. Garrison House and the adjoining Parade House are both two-bedroom self-catering houses offering a wood-burning stove, charming vintage furnishings, and a small courtyard. Best of all, the walls of the fort offer a fantastic and panoramic view of the city below.

At this pair of large Victorian town houses near the university, owner-manager Johanna Lucey will be offering you tea and homemade cake before you have even crossed the threshold—the kind of old-fashioned hospitality that's fast disappearing in modern Ireland. Rooms are impeccably clean, with a homey assortment of furniture and fresh fruit and flowers. The annex (the second house) is more contemporary, with light wood, original Irish art, and leather sofas in the lounge. For longer stays, self-catering suites are available. Breakfast is a highlight: porridge (oatmeal) comes smothered in fresh cream, honey, and either Irish whiskey or Bailey's Cream liqueur, while eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and light-as-a-feather omelets offer a change from the ubiquitous "fry."

An elegant Georgian-style house, its red brick brightened by white-sash windows, the exterior hints at the comfort that lies within. The location—off College Avenue in an undistinguished suburb—is forgotten as soon as you enter the walled gardens. Beyond a splendid, carved-wood double staircase, the drawing room is a symphony of gilded silk, with a white-marble fireplace, a 19th-century chandelier, and chic armchairs, a surprisingly soigné modern homage to country-house style. The wood-paneled library overlooks a walled patio and garden. Guest rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished in a version of the Louis XV style. Orchids is the main restaurant, Perrott's Garden Bistro is a casual alternative, and the Victorian-style bar serves a light menu until 5 pm.

A stylish renovation transformed an old, city-center warehouse into a contemporary boutique hotel, which is accessed via a cobblestone arch and includes original features like exposed stone walls as well as a courtyard patio with a waterfall. Guest rooms vary greatly in shape and size; the most coveted quarters overlook the restaurant's tiny courtyard patio, with a waterfall cascading down one side. Rooms were updated so bathrooms are modern and spaces are well maintained. Corporate rooms provide generous work space, while 11 apartments are available for longer stays---all decorated with muted earth colors, black leatherette reclining chairs, and plain cream walls. The restaurant, Greenes, is renowned for its superb cuisine: hotel guests get a 15% discount. The property recently developed 11 fully serviced self-catering apartments for those who want an independent stay.

Though it cannot compete in size with the grande-dame hotels of bigger cities, the Imperial, which dates to 1813, plays the part with conviction, with its marble lobby, opulent finishes, and traditional concierge. That said, it's worth paying extra for one of the newer rooms—larger and quieter than the older ones. An elaborately tiled coffee shop fronting the lobby is constantly humming, Thyme at Seventy Six is spacious and contemporary, and Sketch Cocktail Bar is good for an aperitif. It's a lively spot at lunchtime and Lafayette's serves afternoon tea (€35). The penthouse suite is named for Michael Collins, who spent his last night here before being shot in an ambush in 1922.

A 15-minute walk (or short taxi ride) from the city center, the Kingsley has an idyllic riverside location, overlooking a rowing club on a pretty section of the River Lee and beside the Lee Fields, a big meadow with paths that are popular with joggers. The imposing modern facade conceals a luxurious interior: the lobby and lounge are paneled with dark wood and furnished with upright velvet armchairs, like an old-style gentlemen's club. This is a popular venue for afternoon tea, while the restaurant also has a large local clientele. The staff is eager to please in a pleasantly old-fashioned way. Guest rooms have large bathrooms, super-king-size beds, beautifully crafted contemporary-style mahogany furniture, workstations, and CD players. Black, white, and gray decor is enhanced by bright red detail (cushions, throws). The health center has a 20-meter pool and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the river, and the hotel boasts Ireland's only Ayurvedic spa.

Free city-center parking, a great location midway between the shopping district and the university, and good value are the main reasons to stay at this modern, four-story inn. Weekday visitors are mainly here on business, while weekends are popular with leisure travelers. Rooms look out over the parking lot or across a narrow, fast-flowing branch of the River Lee to the main road, but to compensate, they're spacious and stylish, with large windows, pale-wood furniture, and large bathrooms. A hearty breakfast from an extensive menu—served in your room or in the bright, contemporary dining room—is another plus.

An imposing redbrick and cut-limestone Victorian-era nursing home is now a comfortable hotel with character and some of the best views in Cork, encompassing the city and surrounding hills. In an area made famous by Frank O'Connor's short stories (now favored by style-conscious academics and bohos), it has massive guest rooms with large bathrooms and small sitting areas furnished with antiques, and color-coordinated wallpaper and drapes. The higher you go, the better the view, and some rooms even have a splendid balcony. The gastropub-style restaurant, McGettigan's, is a cheerful spot with an all-day menu, daily specials on the blackboard, and large bay windows overlooking the city. There is a quieter, book-filled corner away from the windows, and a separate lounge bar.