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-minute walk 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.