Cork International Hotel

While many airport hotels aim for an ambience that lets guests escape the hectic
terminal, Cork International Hotel makes air travel a subtle part of its
design. Aeronautically themed knickknacks, from miniature plane models
to full-size rows of seats, are dotted around the locally owned property,
which was renovated in 2013. Even the hotel’s imposing
modern structure is shaped like a plane, and the walls in some rooms are curved
to imitate wings. Nonetheless, the whole place manages to achieve a welcoming, cozy
atmosphere. The airy, high-ceilinged lobby feels sprawling and business-like
with its long, modern front desk, and there’s live music on weekends. But some of the furnishings -- magenta carpets, purple Chesterfield sofas, and olive-colored benches -- can feel a bit unstylish. Hallways mix plain-white walls with neutral striped wallpaper and
patterned gray carpeting.

Situated in
a business park beside Cork Airport, Cork International Hotel is surrounded by
international businesses, farms, and sports fields. There’s a regularly scheduled free
shuttle bus to and from the airport, and the hotel is a 10- to 18-minute drive to downtown
Cork. It is well situated for the Wild Atlantic Way coastal tourism
trail, which passes through West Cork and Kerry.- Six-minutewalk to Cork Airport (two minutes by shuttle bus)

• Nine-minute drive to Turners Cross stadium 
• 10-minute drive to Cork's city hall 
• 11-minute drive to Parnell Place bus station 
• 12-minute drive to Cork Kent railway station 
• 12-minute drive to St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral 
• 14-minute drive to St. Anne’s Church and Shandon Bells Tower 
• 15-minute drive to Cork Public Museum 
• 15-minute drive to Cork City Gaol museum 
• 17-minute drive to Blackrock Castle Observatory 

The 144 rooms at the Cork International Hotel are large and quiet, with contemporary decor, though some of the details can feel a bit off the mark. Deluxe
Double Single Rooms have elegant brown headboards with
built-in lamps and low bedside tables. There are attractive wall
lamps, and generously sized desks with well-placed sockets, plus small glass
tables and chic armchairs. Large windows have heavy curtains and views of
the surrounding business park, and there’s patterned gray carpeting. Superior
Family Rooms, some awkwardly shaped, have high dark-wood
headboards and attractive free-standing bedside tables with large, elegant
lamps. There are small matching tables, and cream-cushioned chairs, while
pleasant pale-blue walls feature chic canvases. Much larger Executive
Family Rooms add small dining tables, but some mismatched upholstery choices detract from the otherwise smooth decor.Functional bathrooms have white wall tiling and gray floor tiling; large, dated black vanities with built-in sinks; and basic shower/tub combos
with fixed showerheads. Executive
Family Rooms have large, modern accessible wet-room-style bathrooms with
walk-in power showers. Both Superior and Executive Family Rooms also add a
second small shower room; these have free-standing white ceramic
sinks and walk-in rainfall and power showers.The hotel also offers bright, airy
self-catering apartments that sleep up to three. There’s elegant modern decor -- though
the bright red carpet in some rooms feels out of place -- plus generously sized
and well-furnished living rooms and hallways, and fully equipped wet-bar-style
kitchenettes. Standard amenities across all room categories include air-conditioning, flat-screen
smart TVs, phones, and free Wi-Fi, plus mini-fridges, coffee- and tea-making
facilities, safes, hairdryers, and irons and ironing boards. Some rooms have
large balconies, and pricier rooms come with coffeemakers, bathrobes, slippers,
and free newspapers. Wi-Fi is free throughout.

For an
airport hotel, the Cork International offers an impressive range of facilities.
That starts with a great buffet breakfast, which includes cooked-to-order
pancakes, but it isn’t always included in rates; a lighter selection of snacks and
hot drinks is available for guests departing in the early morning. Breakfast is
served in the Atlantic restaurant, which also offers a lunchtime buffet, while
the New Yorker bar is open from midday to late evening, with a daily carvery and full lunch and dinner menus. Afternoon tea is also available in the restaurant and in the lobby, and there’s excellent 24-hour room service.The bright,
well-equipped gym has free weights and cardio and weightlifting machines,
though it’s on the small side, and the bright red carpet feels a tad dated.
There’s an on-site hair salon, and a colorful and well-equipped but
unsupervised kids' club with a TV and games console at a set of airplane-style
seats. And the small, intimate, airplane-themed Cloud 9 cinema has massage
chairs, and shows free movies nightly. The spacious, functional residents’
lounge has ample seating, plus work spaces and a computer with printer, while
the 10 spacious and comfortable meeting rooms are named after world capitals,
and the ballroom can accommodate up to 350 guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the
hotel, too, and free parking is available, along with a regular free shuttle
bus service to and from the airport.