The Imperial Hotel stands at 76 South Mall, on a handsome Georgian street that runs between the two channels of the River Lee, a few minutes from the English Market and St Patrick's Street. The building dates from 1813 and has long been one of the city's grand hotels, and its history includes Michael Collins, who stayed here shortly before his death in 1922. It is a four-class property rated by Fáilte Ireland, with 124 rooms. It has a full-service spa with eight treatment rooms, a hot tub and sauna, a gym, a library, a restaurant, a brasserie and a bar.
Location and getting around
The South Mall puts you in the middle of Cork. The English Market, St Fin Barre's Cathedral and the shops of Oliver Plunkett Street are all within a ten-minute walk, and Kent station and the bus station are a short taxi ride away. Most of the city centre sights in this guide are walkable.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms range from classic doubles and twins to premium and deluxe doubles, triples and junior suites, with air conditioning, a smart TV, a safe, a kettle and an espresso maker. The hotel has a daytime cafe, the restaurant and brasserie, and the bar, and the spa is among the best in the city centre. A cooked breakfast is available for a fee, and the front desk is open around the clock.
What to know
There is no parking on site, and an off-site car park about 500 metres away is available at a daily rate, so arrive by train or taxi if you can. The building is old, so rooms vary in size and quiet, and it is worth asking for a room away from the street. It suits couples, business travellers and first-time visitors who want a central base with traditional style, and it is a more central choice than the manor hotels on the edge of town.
Why stay here
- ✓Central South Mall location
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓Hot tub and sauna
- ✓Gym and library
- ✓Restaurant, brasserie and bar
- ✓Cooked-to-order breakfast
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Air-conditioned rooms
Good questions
Where is the Imperial Hotel?+
It is at 76 South Mall in the city centre, a short walk from the English Market and St Patrick's Street.
Does it have parking?+
There is no on-site parking listed. An off-site car park is available nearby for a daily fee, so check availability before you drive.
Does the hotel have a spa?+
Yes, there is a full-service spa with eight treatment rooms plus a hot tub and sauna. Treatments need reservations.
