Cork 2023: Relax by the river Lee a stone’s throw from the heart of Cork

Everybody knows there is never a bad time to visit Cork, but with a sleek new look to its sumptuous surroundings, the conveniently located Kingsley Hotel has added to the allure.

Within walking distance of the cosmopolitan and buzzing city centre, the luxury urban retreat, which sits proudly on the banks of the river Lee, has 131 guest rooms and suites, many of them with breathtaking views of the water.

The collection of bars and restaurants at the hotel takes advantage of the stunning riverside location, offering bright and airy vantage points from which to enjoy the view and soak up the atmosphere.

The Kingsley also has a number of dog-friendly rooms available to guests which has attracted many much-loved canine friends to the hotel since their launch last year. Finola Twomey, Group Director of Revenue, Sales and Marketing, says the property will also appeal to anyone who is after a bit of pampering or well earned ‘me time’.

“The luxurious spa at the Kingsley has an excellent reputation within the spa industry in Ireland with our Spa Development Manager, Melissa Jones recently appointed as the General Manager of the Irish Spa Association,” she said.

“With nine recently refurbished treatment rooms, a fabulous thermal suite and a carefully selected menu of treatments and therapies, the spa uses an expertly curated range of products with an emphasis on organic and natural ingredients.

“Also, prior to treatment, guests can enjoy a wide variety of healing experiences in the extensive thermal suite, including a chromotherapy room, heated mosaic loungers, tropical rainforest showers, ice shower, spa pool and a range of heat and steam rooms.

“The health club at the Kingsley has an excellent gym which includes a unique kinesis studio which provides zero-impact exercises for all levels of fitness and ability, a large indoor heated pool and an outdoor hydro pool overlooking the river.”

The hotel has four dining options: the chic Fairbanks Restaurant, the casual K Lounge, the popular Springboard Bistro, and an intimate and classic bar called Fishers. In addition to this, Bean & River, which is located at the rear of the hotel overlooking the river, serves a selection of coffees, light snacks and sweet treats.

With the summer season already under way, Twomey says the hotel has seen a steady stream of guests so far and there are many more to come.

“Summer in Cork begins in June,” she says. “Live at the Marquee, a number of headline concerts in Musgrave Park, the Hurling and Football Championships in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the Cork City Marathon, are just a few of the events which take place over the month.

“So it is always a great time for the Kingsley, and also for the tourism and hospitality industry in the city, with many of the rooms booked well in advance, almost as soon as concert and gig dates are announced.

“Looking forward to July and August, we have a strong base of international leisure group business already confirmed. These groups are mainly booked through tour operators, with bookings made up to 12 months in advance. However, we have also seen enquiries coming through this week for next month.

“It is still too early to say how the domestic leisure market will perform this year, as the lead time for bookings from this market is very short for city hotels, with a lot of them made from anything from one day to up to four weeks in advance of travel.

“As Cork Airport has many routes in and out of the area, this is now giving more options to the domestic market to holiday abroad for the first time in three years.”

The group director says the location and its recent renovation make the Kingsley the perfect base from which to visit Cork city and the coastal villages of Kinsale and Crosshaven.

“The hotel now has a chic and sophisticated new look with a soft refurbishment of all the bedrooms, restaurants, reception and public areas now completed,” she said.

“Also, the spa and treatment rooms were comprehensively refurbished last year with the opening of a new spa boutique selling products from all the exceptional ranges used in the spa, including Kerstin Florian, Natural Spa Factory and the Handmade Soap Company and the introduction of OTO product range and treatments to the spa.

“But we are continuously investing in the property to maintain it to the high standards it is now known for and to ensure that all our guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience when they stay with us.”

For more information visit www.thekingsley.ie