Originally Capella Castlemartyr, this luxurious East Cork Resort' is now owned by Singapore-based investors, Peng Lo and Dr Stanley Queck.
It is a fantastically spacious, well-appointed hotel, built around a 17th century manor house and the ruins of an adjacent castle that belonged to the Knights Templar and dates back to 1210. It’s an impressive property by any standards. Approached through an entrance near the centre of Castlemartyr village and then skirting the edge of the 18-hole Ron Kirby-designed golf course, arriving guests get a hint of the lush variety to be found in the 220-acre estate.The driveway leads past the ancient castle to the beautiful entrance of the old house, which was once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh (who later sold it to the Earl of Cork, Richard Boyle) and includes among its special features a ballroom declared ‘the best room in Ireland’ by the 18th century travel chronicler Arthur Young and now fully restored.
Just eleven of the hotel’s 103 guest rooms and suites are in the old house and very lovely they are too, in a timelessly classical style. The rest are in a new section alongside it which is uncompromisingly modern, yet sits surprisingly comfortably beside the elegance of the old; however, due to the low-rise design, corridors are extremely long and any guest with mobility problems (or a tendency to leave things in the car) should ensure a room as near reception as possible.
Accommodation is predictably luxurious - the rooms are vast, ranging from a mere 500 sq ft to a Presidential Suite of over 3,000 sq ft and they sport correspondingly enormous beds and fully marbled bathrooms, all with separate bath and shower – and an exceptional array of technological bells and whistles.
Resort facilities include an impressive leisure centre and spa and numerous activities are offered, both onsite and nearby. The hotel has close links with the Old Midleton Distillery and other highlights in the area include Cobh ('the Queenstown story'), Fota Island (Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens; Fota Wildlife Park) and the East Cork Food Trail, which includes the Ballymaloe Cookery School & Gardens.
Castlemartyr Resort has luxurious amenities but, for the most part, value for money is a feature and this is a place for real people, where families (and their pets, in some areas) are made welcome. In addition to the accommodation and amenities offered at the hotel, the Resort offers guests the option of Self Catering at the 42 contemporary Golf Lodges (built within the old walled garden, and with direct access to the golf course) and 10 cottagey Mews Residences in the 'Old Bawn' area of the castle (click this link Self Catering Lodges for details). NB: The self catering accommodation is run separately from the hotel and, unfortunately, pets are not allowed.
Restaurants:
Good food has always been a high point for guests of the Resort and the choice of dining options ranges from high end fine dining in Terre restaurant (see separate entry) to an all-day lounge menu in Knight's Bar (the restored ballroom), and informal meals at Canopy Restaurant, or The Castlemartyr Links at the clubhouse. Traditional Afternoon Tea is popular,and can be served on the Garden Terrace in fine weather. The traditional irish pub, The Hunted Hog in Castlemartyr village is also owned by the hotel and well worth a visit for its atmosphere and good informal food.
