Hotel Isaacs Cork

Hotel Isaacs Cork is housed in a historic red-brick Victorian building from the 1800s. Guests are greeted by glossy wooden floors and a spacious sitting area where plush Victorian chairs and couches are paired with an emerald-hued patterned carpet. Exposed-brick walls, gilded mirrors, and golden chandeliers pay homage to the building’s history and add to the elegant vibe of the hotel. The carpeted hallways are plain beyond a few black-and-white photographs and strips of exposed bricks here and there. The hotel’s restaurant is elegant, but relaxed and modern, with mostly wood floors, exposed-stone walls, and white tablecloth-clad tables. It has a beautiful outdoor patio with a lovely waterfall and small pond. Patio furniture provides seating, and brick walls crawl with green vines. This hotel attracts mostly couples and friends on weekend getaways in Cork.

Hotel Isaacs Cork sits in the Victorian Quarter of Cork, just north of River Lee and within walking distance of the city center. Across the street is the Everyman Theater, and there are dining options on surrounding streets. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Kent Train Station, and there’s a bus stop right outside the hotel. The city center and St. Patrick’s Street, which are filled with diverse restaurants and shopping options, are a six-minute walk away. The English Market, recently visited by Queen Elizabeth, takes 11 minutes to reach on foot. It’s a 12-minute drive to the Blackrock Castle Observatory. Cork Airport takes 11 minutes by car or a half-hour by public transportation.

Most rooms at Hotel Isaacs Cork are modern with upscale decor and a classical ambiance. Think: large leather headboards, patterned wallpaper, gray shaggy carpets, green plush chairs, and velour fabrics. Some rooms have a more basic style, however, with a neutral color palette and blond-wood furniture. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, electric kettles for tea and coffee, USB plug-ins, and both European and American outlets. In addition to the rooms, there are two- and three-bedroom apartments with full-size kitchens, washers and dryers, and daily housekeeping service. Guests can request board games, PlayStations, or Blu-ray/DVD players. Bathrooms aren’t overly spacious, but have sleek tan or gray tiling and either glass-enclosed walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads or shower/tub combos. Suites have additional clawfoot bathtubs. They include small toiletries and hairdryers. Front-facing rooms are noisier than others, and some complaints have been made about issues with the heating. 

Though it's missing a few of the features expected of a mid-range hotel, the Hotel Isaacs Cork does offer some additional perks that add to the property's comfort and charm. The hotel’s Greenes Restaurant serves modern Irish fare with an emphasis on organic, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast includes full Irish, continental, and vegetarian options, though it’s not included in all room rates. The restaurant has a bar and offers discounts to guests, plus room service is available for limited hours. Guests can choose to dine alfresco on a cozy outdoor stone patio that has lovely views of a small waterfall and pond. It’s popular among locals too and might require a reservation. There aren't many other on-site features here, but guests receive discounted access to a nearby gym with a swimming pool. There are two meeting facilities with audiovisual equipment and a public computer, plus free Wi-Fi throughout. For travelers with a car, the hotel provides parking that’s about 330 feet from the hotel for a small nightly fee.