Following complete redevelopment of their original riverside site on Western Road, the former Jurys Cork Hotel - re-branded The River Lee Hotel - has regained its place as one of the most popular Cork hotels, especially perhaps for business guests.
Well-located, it is beside the university and within comfortable walking distance of the city centre in good weather, and also handy for those who wish to make a neat exit westwards on leaving.
Although it may not have the wow factor of some of the showier new hotels, it is imaginatively designed to make the very most of its waterside location, with all the main public areas having balconies as well as acres of glass - and the relatively low key decor is designed to last.
Informal dining is available in the Weir Bistro, a very pleasantly bright and airy room at the end of the hotel with a surprisingly away-from-it all feeling that belies its position just a river-hop away from the busy Western Road; where else in the city centre could you watch a man out fishing with his dog, just yards from your table?
Jurys has always had a reputation for its lively bar, and The Weir Bar, which also takes full advantage of the riverside setting and has a large deck, looks set to continue the tradition.
Also renowned as a business hotel, the River Lee Hotel has a range of meeting rooms and a dedicated executive floor and lounge on the penthouse floor; executive extras include complimentary continental breakfast and drinks and canapés in the evening as well as turndown service, daily newspapers and business magazines.
All bedrooms have been finished to a high specification, however, with air conditioning, 25" LCD TV, work desk, laptop safe, 'fair price minibar' as standard, and smart bathrooms all have separate bath and power shower and classy toiletries.
Facilities include a leisure centre with 18m swimming pool, sauna, spa bath and a day spa, more recently opened.
Weir Bistro : Conferences/Banqueting (120); business centre, secretarial services, video conferencing, laptop sized safes in bedrooms; complimentary broadband throughout the hotel. Rooms 182 (44 executive, 4 family, 170 no smoking, 4 disabled); Room rate from €119 to €190. Children welcome (under 12s free in parents' room, co available free of charge, baby sitting arranged). Laundry/dry cleaning. Lift, 24 hr room service. Complimentary guest parking. Leisure centre (pool, fitness room, jacuzzi, sauna); Spa (massage, treatments, beauty salon); tennis. Open all year. Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Laser.
