Opposite the Everyman Palace Theatre and approached through a cobbled courtyard, this attractive Cork hotels got comfortable spacious rooms at a fairly reasonable price.
Recent major renovations have made this a much more confident and comfortable hotel: new windows have reduced traffic noise, the fourteen newer superior rooms are quietly impressive and have set the standard for refurbishment of all the existing bedrooms, which is now complete so that all rooms have double glazing and air conditioning.
A few of the rooms at the back have a charming outlook on to the waterfall, which is a feature from the restaurant - and destined to become the centrepiece of the new covered courtyard, which is to be glazed (And a new lift installed) shortly after we go to press.
Small Conferences (50); broadband wi/fi; secretarial services available (from reception), video conferencing by arrangement; laptop sized safes in bedrooms. Children welcome (under 3 free in parents room, cot available free of charge, baby sitting arranged). All day room service. Car park nearby. No pets. Garden (courtyard). Self-catering apartments available (open all year).
Rooms 47 (14 executive, 4 shower-only, 37 no-smoking, 2 for disabled). Lift. Room service (all day). B&B €45-60 pps, ss €15. Closed 24-27 Dec.
Greenes Restaurant:
Despite being next door to the well-known Isaacs restaurant (with the confusion of the hotel's similar name) Greenes is well-established as a successful stand-alone restaurant and has earned a following.
The approach from the street is attractive: the entrance under a limestone arch leads to a narrow courtyard with a waterfall - which is floodlit at night - making an unusual feature when seen from the restaurant.
Large windows and high ceilings make for a bright and airy feeling in the reception and restaurant areas – and, with stonework and brick walls, a pleasantly green outlook (complete with waterfall) and modern darkwood furniture all providing character, the atmosphere is definitely 'independent restaurant' rather than 'hotel dining room'.
Head chef Frédéric Desormeaux’s menus tend to be quite adventurous, offering modern renditions of classic dishes, sometimes with a French slant, but based on local ingredients as much as possible - a page at the front lists suppliers and you’ll also find occasional reference to provenance in the names of dishes.
There is a strong emphasis on fish and seafood, with most starters and a high proportion of main courses coming from the sea, and lobster and oysters offered from their own tanks. The choice for non-seafood eaters is therefore quite limited, but most will be well pleased with the ‘Butcher Corner’ steak menu, and the single vegetarian starter and main course offered is imaginative (and the choice may be extended from the night’s Specials menu).
Specialities include a starter of Millefeuille of West Cork crab, avocado and smoked Salmon with horseradish baby potato salad, and Lemon mayonnaise and an unusual main course combination of Pan-fried Castletownbere King Scallops on a confit of Pork belly, sautéed girolle mushrooms, roast shallots, cream sauce.
Accurate cooking, attractive presentation together with friendly, knowledgeable and helpful service - plus a lively atmosphere and quite reasonable prices - should ensure an enjoyable meal.
The 3-course early dinner menu has less emphasis on seafood, but offers especially good value – and you can opt for a glass of wine in lieu of any course if you wish.
Seats 100 (private room, 36, outdoor, 30); outdoor dining in heated courtyard; barbecues in summer. D Mon-Sat 6-10 (to 10.30pm Fri & Sat); value D €25 all evening Mon& Tue and 6-7pm Wed-Sat; set D €37; also á la carte. House wine from €19.50. SC 10% on groups 10+. Children welcome (high chair, childrens menu, baby changing facilities). Restaurant closed Sun (except bank hol weekends) & Mon in winter, 24-27 Dec. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
