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Maryborough Hotel & Spa

This hotel, which is quietly situated on the south of the city and very convenient to Cork airport and the Jack Lynch Tunnel, has a fine country house at its heart and is set in its own gardens. The main entrance is via the original flight of steps up to the old front door and as a conventional reception area would intrude on the beautifully proportioned entrance hall, guests are welcomed at a discreetly positioned desk just inside the front door.

The original house has many fine features and is furnished in period style with antiques; spacious public areas now extend from it, right across to the new accommodation wing through the Garden Room, a spacious contemporary lounge furnished with smart leather sofas.

The new section of the hotel - which is modern and blends comfortably with the trees and gardens surrounding it - includes excellent leisure facilities, the main bar and restaurant, and guest accommodation.

Guest rooms and suites are exceptionally attractive in terms of design - simple, modern, bright, utilising Irish crafts: rooms are generously-sized, with a pleasantly leafy outlook and good amenities; compact, well-lit bathrooms have plenty of marbled shelf space, environmentally friendly toiletries, very small baths and towels, and suggestions on saving water by avoiding unnecessary laundry.

Conference/banqueting (500/400); business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, free broadband wi/fi, laptop-sized safes in bedrooms. Leisure centre (swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room); beauty salon; Spa. Children welcome (under 2s free in parents room, cots available without charge, baby sitting arranged). No pets.

Rooms 93 (2 suites, 3 junior suites, 88 executive rooms, 37 no-smoking, 8 for disabled). Lift. 24 hour room service. B&B €85 pps, ss €25. Closed 24-26 Dec.

Conference/banqueting (500/400); business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, free broadband wi/fi, lap top sized safes in bedrooms. Leisure centre (swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room); beauty salon; Spa. Children welcome (under 2s free in parents room, cots available without charge, baby sitting arranged). No pets.

Rooms 93 (2 suites, 3 junior suites, 88 executive rooms, 37 no-smoking, 8 for disabled). Lift. 24 hour room service. B&B €85 pps, ss €25. Closed 24-26 Dec.

Zings:

Zings: Creative use of lighting separates areas within this design-led dining area without physical divisions - and the tables are considerately spot lit (ideal for lone diners who wish to read). Gerry Allen, who has been head chef since the hotel opened in 1997 and has earned a local following, offers European cuisine with Mediterranean flavours on quite extensive menus.

Although international influences dominate, local produce is used - pretty desserts that are worth leaving room for include a commendable number of choices using seasonal fruits, for example, and local farmhouse cheeses are also a strong option.

A good selection of house wines is offered, also an unusually wide choice of half bottles, all moderately priced.

Zings : Not suitable for children after 7pm. Seats 120. Air conditioning. L daily 12.30-2.30, D 6.30-9.30. Set L €30, D á la carte. House wines from €25. SC discretionary. Amex, Diners, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.

Directions:

Near Douglas village & adjacent to Douglas Golf Club; signed from roundabout where Rochestown Road meets Carrigaline Road.