We had stayed here before and LOVED it so I was really disappointed the 2nd time round. I am quite late in writing this review but I think what I have to say is stil relevant.

2 years ago we stayed here for my partners birthday and booked an executive room as the website stated that this gave you complimentary access to the hydrotherapy pool which really made the break for us...So last year we wanted the same thing. I rang the hotel, booked an exec room and asked the girl if that meant we were still ok to use the spa facilities. She said yes.

To our disappointment..when we arrived this was not the case as we were told by the receptionist and later a really unhelpful senior reservations manager or supervisor. Eventually they said we could have one session in the pool which it was difficult to feel overly grateful for considering we had been led to believe we could use it for our entire trip.

Basically it just put a bad taste in our mouths at the start of our break. We had love the hotel so much previously that we always thought we would get married there but have since picked another location.


Wish it had lived up to our previous tip...unfortunately wouldnt go back again.

Myself and my sister decided to go for a spa day and stay the night in the Imperial as our Christmas presents to eachother. I cannot praise the Spa highly enough but this review is about the hotel.

The reception staff were very friendly and accommodated our slightly early check in. A room was available so we were able to leave our bags. We went up to the room on the 4th floor. The room was a little run down but clean. The floor was sloped but I presume that is to do with the age of the building.

The most negative thing about our stay was the noise. Horns beeping outside, noise on the street and the corridor. The windows are most definitely not sound proof.

Our stay in the hotel was fine but didn't feel like a real treat. The Escape spa is fantastic and made up for the hotel.

Just back from a weekend in Cork, where I stayed at the Imperial Hotel on South Mall. This wasn't my first stay here and as usual I wasn't disappointed. We arrived and were greeted in the usual friendly manner. Unfortunately though the hotel which aparantly is the oldest in Cork City is starting to show its age. There are a couple of telltale signs of the hotel just wearing out.

On our first night there we had to change rooms due to noise from the street below. The room we were in was on the third floor overlooking the land linking South Mall to Oliver Plunkett street, and between the shouting from the people using the fish hatch and the noise of traffic on South Mall and the lane it was impossible to sleep. I know its a city centre hotel and traffic is expected, but if I can get a restful nights sleep at an airport hotel I don't see why I can't at a city centre hotel. BUT we approached reception and were switched straight away with the minimum of fuss to a lovely room in the centre of the hotel.

Other little things are cracks in the bathroom fixtures and squeeky floors, and a broken shower door in the second room. Like I said a lick of paint and a bit of DIY and its perfect..

We ate in the restaurant the first night and couldn't fault the food in any way (if I had a gripe, its that the main course arrived to quickly after the starter was cleared, but that is the most minor of minor things) The breakfasts were delicious and fresh and there was a great choice.

Finally I'd like to point out the exceptional staff, we had the issue with noise on the first night and they couldn't have been nicer. But even when we were passing in and out, or just general enquiries they were lovely.

All in all I would defintely return to the Imperial time and time again. If I might recommend getting there around Christmas too, the lobby always looks fantastic with the tree and decorations.

If I travelled to cork again I would rather sleep on the street than stay in the Imperial. We were part of a group booking that stays there every year for the past number of years. I got the impression that the staff felt that they had a right to this booking and were not interested in helping me out in any way. I was told that that the 'group' had a special rate yet when I searched their website I found that the rate being charged was far cheaper than the special deal given to our group. (over 80 people). When I asked for this deal, the girl on reception (louise i think - but could be wrong) actually argued with me and was sarcastic to the last when I demanded the rate quoted on line.

I was to have a superior room, but ended up in a shoebox of a room where I had to put the ironing board on the bed to iron my clothes.

Breakfast was cold, lacking inspiration and overall very poor.

i would never book this hotel again.