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Kingsley Hotel

Possibly the most attractively located hotel in the city, the Kingsley is conveniently situated alongside the River Lee, just minutes from both Cork airport and the city centre and has always been especially appealing to business visitors, for whom it quickly becomes a home from home.

Major investment over the last two years has enlarged and upgraded the hotel yet remarkably it has retained the sense of intimacy and homely atmosphere that has been a special feature from the outset.

A large, comfortably furnished foyer has a welcoming feel to it, with staff always on hand to assist guests - and there is a comfortable lounge/informal restaurant area a few steps up from it (and overlooking the weir) which, like the River Bar beside it, makes a good meeting place.

A caring atmosphere is noticeable throughout the hotel, from the moment guests are greeted on arrival, and accommodation is personally decorated and well-planned to make a good home from home.

Spacious rooms offer traditional comfort with a contemporary edge, and are designed with care: air conditioning, work station with complimentary broadband, interactive TV, personal safe, trouser press with ironing board, same day laundry and all of the small extras that make a difference.

Executive suites at the back of the hotel include a room suitable for private entertaining or meetings (and especially luxurious bathrooms) and have river views and an impressive 750 square metre 2-bedroom Presidential Suite built over two floors; with its own hot tub balcony, and spacious living area on the penthouse level, it is Cork's premier suite.

The hotel's Business & Conference Centre is a top venue for small and medium sized meetings has also been upgraded (see hotel website for full details).

Good health and fitness facilities include the Yauvana holistic lifestyle spa, with exclusive Indian treatments.

Conference/banqueting (230/200); business centre, broadband, secretarial services; video conferencing, on request; 24 hour room service. Leisure centre (recently refurbished & gym equipment renewed), swimming pool; treatment rooms, beauty salon. Children welcome (under 12s free in parents' room; cot available without charge, baby sitting arranged). Garden. Riverside walks. Pets permitted by arrangement. Parking.

Rooms 131 (71 separate bath & shower, 4 suites, 6 for disabled, all no smoking). Air conditioning. Lift. B&B €80 pps, ss €65. Open all year.

Otters:

This lovely restaurant is on two levels, so different that it almost seems like two restaurants: the upper level is bright and airy and, overlooking the river and linear park with fishermen and joggers out on a summer's day, it has a wonderful ambience; the lower, which is darker, with more closely spaced tables, might be cosier in winter.

As elsewhere in the hotel, attention from friendly staff is outstanding right from the beginning, when you are escorted courteously to your table luxuriously set up with crisp linen, smartly polished cutlery and glassware; bread (made in-house) is brought immediately, together with chilled butter and iced water.

Appealing menus may include starters like bruschetta of goat's cheese and crab mayonnaise and fresh fish also features among the main courses, typically seared cod, garnished with roast cherry tomatoes and rocket salad.

The cooking can sometimes be a little uneven, but desserts are likely to be the highlight of a meal here: an orange & polenta cake with berry compôte and an elegant layered chocolate mousse both attracted special praise on a recent visit.

And, with its elegant setting and such attentive staff, a meal here should always be enjoyable.

Seats 140 (private room 20). L & D daily: L 12.30-3, D 5.30-10 (Sun 6-10). Set L €30; Early Bird D 5.30-7.30 €26. set D €50; D also á la carte. House wine from around €17. SC discretionary. *Lounge and bar food also available through the day. Open all year. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

On main N25 Killarney road by Victoria Cross.