Ladysbridge Rd, Castlemartyr, Ireland | (888) 635-3814
Spacious, upscale rooms and suites, many with views of the grounds
18-hole golf course
Spa with nail salon and indoor swimming pool
Large marble bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers
Three restaurants, including Italian and fine-dining Irish options
Elegant bar with fireplace and live music
Carriage rides, fishing and archery available through resort
Ruins of 13th-century castle on the grounds
Modern 200-square-meter gym and health club includes free classes
Short drive to many nearby tourist sights
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms in newer wing far from the main building
Not located in the city of Cork
Minor signs of wear (no significant renovations since opening in 2007)
Set on sprawling green parkland a 25-minute drive from the city of Cork, the 103-bedroom Castlemartyr Resort has turned an 18th-century manor house into a full-service, modern retreat that caters to both families and couples. It's ideally located for exploring East Cork and southern Ireland, with the coast just a short drive away, but the grounds also offer plenty of entertainment, including 13th-century ruins, an 18-hole golf course, three restaurants and a bar, and a modern spa and health club with an indoor swimming pool. Spacious rooms have sophisticated country style and big lovely marble bathrooms, though some minor signs of wear are evident.
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Scene
Historic manor house with plenty of outdoor activities
If it's history you're after, Castlemartyr Resort has it in spades. The updated 18th-century manor house shares its 220 acres of Irish parkland with the 13th-century ruins of a castle built by the Knights Templar, as well as manicured gardens and wild landscape that includes a lake and streams -– perfect for picnics and fishing. Families are especially catered to, with a wide range of activities including a game room and a swimming pool, but couples looking for a romantic rural retreat or a grander home base for exploring the area also find a warm welcome. (Some couples may may be deterred by all the little ones during peak school holiday times, and should consider a stay in the fall after the kids have gone back to school.)The manor house itself is also an attraction; its bright, art-filled hallways are often used for local exhibitions and the ornate Knight's Bar is a popular place to start the evening with live music and a cocktail. The fireplace here is lit in cool weather.
Location
Within driving distance of East Cork sights
Located in the tiny village of Castlemartyr, a 25-minute drive from Cork City, the resort can be either a full-service hideaway in the Irish countryside for a few days, or a home base for exploring East Cork by car. The well-preserved, historic coastal towns of Youghal and Cobh – the latter the last stop of the Titanic – are a 20- and 30-minute drive away, respectively, and the Old Midleton Distillery, home to many of Ireland's famous whiskeys, is about 15 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Large rooms with sophisticated country style and lovely marble bathrooms
Drawing on the manor house's Georgian architecture, the rooms have a modern take on classic country decor. Though the decor varies between categories, most have dark wood furniture and a color scheme of earthy neutrals (sages, whites, beiges). Most are in the newer addition rather than the historic manor house, but those in the house are among the largest suites in the area, and even the regular rooms are notably large, starting at 500 square feet. The real highlight, though, are the marble bathrooms, which have walk-in rainfall showers, double sinks, and soaking tubs. As an extra bonus, all rooms also have coffee/tea facilities (in some cases, Nespresso machines), interactive flat-screen TVs, and bedside tech panels that control lighting, curtains, and more.
Features
Activity-filled resort that takes advantage of its large grounds
Castlemartyr's real strength is in its activities and amenities. Fishing, archery, and carriage rides can be arranged on the grounds, and the 18-hole golf course, along with its pub-like Club House restaurant, is an attraction in and of itself. The resort could just as easily be a destination for those looking to unwind and be pampered, as the Spa at Castlemartyr includes a heated indoor pool (facing a wall of glass windows overlooking the grounds), steam room, sauna, and beautiful, modern 200-square-meter gym, which offers free classes to guests. The Italian and fine-dining Irish restaurants aren't stand-out, but they're more than pleasant enough for those who don't want to drive for dinner. The bar is a nice spot to start an evening.
