Hotel review: Cork's Woodland Suite Experience is perfectly private, but city-central

Each of the nine individual suites is perfectly private, and the location just a 15-minute walk from hip MacCurtain St.

10/10

Style & design

There’s a Scandi-meets-Japanese vibe in these unique suites, where minimalism meets organic shapes, luxurious materials, and a muted palette. 

With five Woodland Suites in the trees, and four River Suites cantilevered above wildflowers, it’s a cocooning and cosy stay. 

From the glamorous residents-only clubhouse to the cool architecture and high-spec Roisin Lafferty interiors, this is a design lover’s dream.

10/10

Service

Check-in is a sleek private experience, with guests whisked away from the hotel entrance in a cool enclosed custom buggy to the private clubhouse in the woodlands. 

Here, by a sensational red travertine bar, guests are served excellent Gremillet champagne while checking in. 

Staff all introduce themselves, know guests’ names, and make time to stop and chat wherever they meet you. 

This is intimate, Irish five-star service, and it feels authentic and special.

9/10

Guest rooms

A giant sleigh bed made from engineered American Oak with moss green boucle headboard, a fawn free-standing bath (that’s long enough for tall people), and an incredible stone sink are some of the focal points in this chic suite. 

Expect a supremely comfortable night’s sleep, luxurious bed linen, good lighting, exquisite furnishings, and a private deck with the comfiest seating. 

Brushed gold fittings, sculptural art, bronze mirrors, and luxurious fabrics create wow factor throughout.

10/10

In-room perks

The mini-bar is one of the best around, with considered Irish artisan brands including Joe’s Farm Crisps and Bean & Goose chocolate. 

A decanter of Midleton Black Barrel is free to pour, and a cocktail shaker and cocktail-making kit comes with a QR code for showing the mixologist whipping up a signature drink. (Ice took a long time to arrive though.) 

Complimentary sundowner cocktails (a different one each evening) are served in the chic clubhouse with canapés.

There’s Cocoa Atelier chocolates at bedtime too, and the bathroom is stocked with premium Ortigia Ambra products.

10/10

On the menu

Breakfast is also one of the best around, anywhere. Served in the private light-filled clubhouse, which also offers outdoor seating, the pastries and breads are outstanding. 

A la carte dishes such as baked eggs and salmon royale are superb, as is the Irish cheese and charcuterie selection and fresh juices. 

Dinner in The Montenotte’s Panorama restaurant isn’t as successful, unfortunately, with room for improvement across several dishes.

9/10

Activities & amenities

The Montenotte offers resort-level facilities, which is impressive for a city hotel. 

Alongside its Panorama restaurant, there is a new Glasshouse rooftop bar with live music, and Cameo Cinema showing different movies every night. 

A massage in the Bellevue Spa followed by a relaxing session in the impressive Himalayan Salt Room are recommended, and there’s the Motion Health Club with pool and gym too.

10/10

The bill

From €680 B&B including chauffeured buggy escort, Nights-for-Nature tree planting, sundowners cocktail in the clubhouse, and access to all The Montenotte’s facilities including the Panorama restaurant, glass-house rooftop bar, cinema, spa, salt room and health club.

Our verdict: 9/10

Room to improve? Our used champagne glasses sat in our room for 2 days, despite everything else being left spotlessly. There are plenty of sockets in the room but when styling our hair we missed the convenience of a dressing table with mirror, seat and plug in the one space. Ice took over 10 minutes to arrive after a call to reception, highlighting a disconnect between the two spaces.

Access for guests with disabilities? Not currently at the Woodland Suite Experience however The Montenotte is wheelchair accessible.

Family-friendly? No.

Dogs welcome? Only service dogs.

EV chargers? Yes

• The Woodland Suite Experience
• Middle Glanmire Road, Montenotte, Cork City.
• themontenottehotel.com
• The Hotel Examiner was a guest of the Woodland Suites Experience.