Stay Inn Review: With Rooms Hotel Like To It's Premier €67, New As In As What Low Here's Cork's

Hotel review: With rooms as low as €67, here's what it's like to stay in Cork's new Premier Inn — Its Enter The Inn Facade Be As The Property Clinical Out The Colour You May Soon As But Pops Premier

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024 - 18:00

Thom Breathnach

Location

It’s the three-star hotel with the five-star location. Cork’s newest hotel — and the first property in Munster by the UK chain — The Premier Inn stands in Morrison’s Island, one of the city’s most central yet scenic blocks, set on the south channel of the River Lee. Beyond its banks, you’re only 400m from all the main action on Pana or 650m from the English Market too. The hotel’s structure is a little unorthodox, and deceptively large. Only the hotel’s entrance and an opposing wing, which bookend a terrace of existing office buildings, are actually visible from the quayside. But beyond them, the property U-shapes around the block hosting a substantial 187 guest rooms in all. Note that the hotel does not offer on-site parking (24hr rates at Q-Park cost €12) though there were plenty of free spots outside the hotel midweek.

9/10

Style and design

Its facade may be clinical but the Premier Inn pops out the colour as soon as you enter the property. Slick, almost airport style check-in desks are capped by a purple neon check-in sign, all backed by a wall of travel inspiration quotes sourced from Leonardo da Vinci, to presumably, Instagram. It’s a funky space…redolent of a design mix between a budget version of The Dean and a Stansted business lounge.

The reception flanks a swish new bar and lounge along with seating pockets partitioned by shelves stacked with retro props from a dinky Land Rover to a Guinness Harp. Amid it all, there’s a family playing Uno, couples sipping wine, international tourists milling around…a very happy hub.

9/10

Service

Staff from reception to the restaurant are warm and eager throughout. I was particularly impressed with how diners were asked whether they’d any allergens before eating at breakfast and dinner and offered a comprehensive allergen booklet on all items.

9/10

Activities and amenities

The hotel doesn’t offer any amenities beyond its bar and restaurant. Though there’s a fine communal work station with multiple charge points in the lobby.

6/10

Guest rooms

The Premier Inn offers a single standard category of double, twin and family rooms and I was staying in one of the hotel’s doubles overlooking the Lee. It’s a fresh and pleasant three-star room with TV, desk area and a standard ensuite with bath+shower and products by Bayliss & Harding. The hotel’s super comfy bed (you can even buy them online) was a highlight plus the room’s rather generic feel is offset by the inn’s signature purple colour appearing in LED mood lighting. There’s also a single sofa bed plus a roller bed…this room can sleep two adults and two children at no extra charge.

Note that you can’t book river view rooms by category so they’ll be a pleasant bonus for some, not all.

8/10

In-room perks

Premier Inn’s are unabashedly branded as budget but there’s still a kettle, tea and instant coffee to keep guests ticking over. Swapping those PG Tips for Barry’s, however, could add a local touch at minimal cost.

7.5/10

On the menu

The hotel’s Thyme restaurant isn’t billed as a destination dining experience but rather a convenient offering for guests. It certainly exceeded my measured expectations, however.

Plus, a free Irish Examiner tote bag

Try now

Piri-piri chicken wings were deliciously zingy. Nicely garnished with coriander and chillies, the addition of a few drumette cuts could have added more meat to the dish’s bones. Makhani curry, with rice and mango chutney (€15.70) was tasty, if a little underwhelming, but I appreciated, as a coeliac, how the naan bread was offered at additional charge (€1.50) rather than a default inclusion for more.

Value and keen pricing seems to be Premier Inn’s bread and butter pillars, however. Guests can enjoy breakfast, plus two dinner courses and a drink (incl. wine or beer) for €33.50 and you can add €3 for a third course. That’s exceptional value by today’s standards.

Breakfast the next morning (€13.50 beyond a meal deal) was a decent buffet for a three-star but if I was paying one of the higher room rates, I’d be less impressed.

8/10

Value for money

Standard room-only rates are available from as high as €228 to as low as €67 per night, which represents average to fantastic value.

Our overall rating: 8.5/10

Room to improve? Details of food produce origins on menus would be appreciated. Room storage was a little tight and clunky.

Access for guests with disabilities? The hotel offers nine accessible rooms.

Family-friendly? Yes. Up to two kids eat breakfast for free per one paying adult.

Dogs welcome? No.