Hotel Isaacs Cork

I wrapped up my recent vacation with a weekend trip to Co. Cork, where I stayed at Hotel Isaacs. It was my first time visiting Cork, and the hotel had received high ratings online, which piqued my interest. The official photos on the website were just as enticing, and the location—less than 10 minutes from Kent train station and well-situated in the town centre—was perfect for exploring. Francesca, the front desk representative who checked me in (and out), was incredibly friendly and helpful. She provided a map of the area and highlighted some key places to visit during my stay. The check-in process was quick and smooth, and as I arrived early, the staff kindly secured my bag so I could explore Cobh before my room was ready. The hotel’s interior, especially the foyer and Greene’s bar/restaurant, has a stylish, welcoming vibe. I particularly loved the waterfall feature, which added to the ambiance and was a nice touch. There were two downsides to my stay: Greene's Kitchen: The on-site restaurant closed fairly early (around 9-9:30 pm on a Friday night). Fortunately, the gentleman at the night reception was very helpful and recommended Gallagher’s, where I had a lovely meal and friendly service. However, it would have been ideal if Greene's had stayed open a bit later. Room Smell: I read a small number of reviews expressing similar displeasure. While the room décor was lovely, there was a stuffy smell in the 3rd-floor room. It is my belief that smaller hotel rooms with limited ventilation (just one opening window in this case) can sometimes develop a heavy, closed-up, stuffy smell. It wasn’t a huge issue for my two-night stay, but if I had been there longer, I would have brought it up primarily as I suffer with sinus issues. It might be helpful for the hotel to consider airing rooms more thoroughly or even investing in products like Rituals room sprays or diffusers, especially since they already use their bathroom products. While some reviews mentioned that chatter/music from nearby bars was bothersome, I personally didn’t find it disruptive. Given the central location of the hotel, a certain level of noise is to be expected, even though the surrounding businesses obviously do know that there are neighbouring hotels. Additionally, the room didn’t offer much of a view, but that wasn’t a major issue for me during my stay. As for food, I was only able to enjoy the breakfast (included in my package) and it was fantastic! The staff were incredibly friendly, and the ambiance was wonderful. Sitting across from the waterfall made for a calming and peaceful experience. Despite those 2 minor dislikes, my stay at Hotel Isaacs was good overall. I would definitely still recommend to friends wishing cozy accommodation Cork!

I have no complaints (surprisingly, as I always tend to). The service, room, and location were all great. I loved the courtyard waterfall. Although I wasn't a fan of the pub along the courtyard - I thought the scene added some vibrance to the hotel.

This lovely hotel is in the heart of MacCurtain Street and the Victorian quarter. The high-ceiling room was of decent quality with a very good ensuite shower room. Breakfast was fine. There is the excellent Cask Bar attached serving good wine and high quality bar food.

Absolute gem of a hotel, lovely warm feeling, staff are so helpful and welcoming. Lovely courtard and breakfast in greenes was fabulous. Comfortable clean rooms, we were well rested after out short stay, brilliant location too, great base for exploring.

We had a one night stay in Cork and I’m glad we chose this hotel! We were upgraded and had a lovely quiet room on the second floor. It was very clean, fresh and bed was soooo comfortable. We didn’t eat at the hotel but it’s a great location with lots of good bars and restaurants nearby. Would definitely stay here again if we find ourselves back in Cork.

Myself and my partner stayed in this hotel on 12/02/25 and I can’t write a good enough review. The hotel itself was very clean, all of the staff we interacted with had great attitudes, the room was advertised as a small double room but I feel like we had more than enough space. Very very reasonably priced, easy to find as it’s pretty much a straight walk from the train station. I also left an item there I’m sure would have been thrown out from any other hotel, it just so happened to be a very sentimental item, and they called me this morning letting me know they kept it and it’s ready for me to collect. I can’t praise the staff here enough. I will be returning when I’m in cork next.

Wonderful hotel to stay for a Cork based trip. Friendly clean and a wonderful romantic seated area beside a waterfall to enjoy a cocktail and delicious fresh food. Greens restaurant offers a wonderful menu and high standard well presented fare. Relaxing decor and atmosphere.. Rooms very comfortable and slept well. Highly Recommended

Stayed here over the festive period with my wife and had a deeply disappointing experience. Our room was located near an adjacent cocktail bar that the hotel owns, which played music loud enough that the floors in our room were vibrating. When raising it with hotel staff, we were assured that it would be switched off at 12:30am sharp. This didn't happen so we had to phone again for it to be turned off at almost 12:45am. To compound this further, the response from the hotel to our complaint was both smarmy and unapologetic, suggesting that we may have had a window open in our room (despite it being -2c outside). This isn't a response I'd expect from a hotel where the rate was €260 for a standard room with breakfast. Going forward, if anyone asks me for recommendations on where to stay in Cork, I'll specifically recommend to not stay at Hotel Isaacs. Edit: just to note the response from the hotel below. My supposed 'agenda' is that we had a poor experience at this hotel and rather than the hotel accept and apologise for it, they've doubled down by suggesting it was our problem, not theirs. Great customer service 👍

Beautiful hotel in a beautiful city. Front desk staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating. The daily breakfast was very nice. Our initial room had some issues but the front desk staff quickly accommodated a new too that was excellent. Our stay was during road improvements out front. It looks like a full improvement for the block. Parking was a bit of an issue during construction. Would repeat when in the area.

I really enjoyed my time at the Hotel Isaac. This hotel is the hidden gem of Ireland; the history behind the hotel is impressive. Even though the hotel is historical, it is still very modern without compromising the hotel's genuine setup. They are also right next to the best restaurant, coffee shops, and they are right next to downtown. The staff is very friendly and helpful and is always around. They have huge rustic gates out front that are closed at night, which makes you feel very safe. Also, they have one of the top Cork restaurants and bars in their hotel. I also got the chance to run into the owner of this establishment, and he is a friendly down to earth guy who truly cares about his guest and his staff.

This hotel is undoubtedly getting a facelift and compared to pictures of the rooms in the past, they did a nice job remodeling. When I visited, there was no lift because they're building a new one, so we had to drag our suitcases upstairs. The television was also tiny compared to other hotels that we stayed in throughout Ireland. Of course, I'm not going to be watching much tv while I'm traveling, but at night prior to going to bed, it is nice to be able to watch tv. There were very few stations so nothing was on. When I decided to try and fall asleep, there was a great deal of noise from restaurants downstairs so that is also something that should be considered if people are looking for a quiet environment. The bathroom and room was clean and nicely decorated, but the bed was absolutely the worst I slept on in the entire country. I didn't have a good night's rest and had many hours of driving to do the next day, so I wasn't thrilled to say the least.

One of the most attractive hotels in which I've ever stayed, with an urban sanctuary courtyard & mini-garden complete with a man made water feature, and the staff is as pleasant as they are charming. The beds are actually pretty comfortable and the rooms are solid. But I can't stand windows that don't open and an A/C unit that barely moves air. They say the windows are a safety feature which has its merits but it can make for a really stale and stuffy room, even worse during Covid. If you're good with that you'll enjoy the location, but for an overseas traveler it can be a bit of a letdown, especially for the hefty price.

By far, this was the best hotel I stayed in out of the 4 when I was In Ireland. It was barely a 10-minute walk from the Kent Station on a mildly busy street. I almost walked right past the entrance because it was flanked by 2 restaurants. What a unique place! A cobblestone entryway, cafe tables set up outside and a gorgeous waterfall at the back. There is a small sign directing guests to the front desk. I was met by a smiling lady who had the cutest accent. I don't think it was Irish but I didn't ask. I had changed my plans and route before coming to Ireland but had some trouble booking my room for 2 nights instead of one. That was the first question I asked her because I could tell I really liked the hotel and didn't want the hassle of moving after 1 night here. She checked and she had another room but it was different than the one I was originally placed in. Fine with me! I was so relieved. Check in was seamless from that point on. I had the option to add an Irish breakfast at their onsite restaurant, Greene's, but I told her I would think about it and let her know. My room was on the 1st floor and I took the teeny tiny lift up there due to my luggage but after that, I used the stairs. The room was tucked away in a corner and the window was overlooking a small alleyway in the back but it was perfect. The decor was modern yet comfortable. I had a queen bed all to myself! And the bathroom was so sleek and edgy. Definitely reminded me of places I've stayed at in NYC. There are a ton of pubs, carry out spots and fine dining restaurants literally steps away from the Hotel Isaacs. Also, I checked out a very nice liquor store down on the corner, and a highly-recommended coffee shop on the other corner. To make matters even better, the place I needed to meet my tour for Blarney Castle and Cobh, Paddywagon Tour Company, was only a 5-minute walk away. Meant I could take my time getting up in the morning. I was so happy everywhere I wanted to go was so easy to get to from my hotel. Without a doubt, I will be going back when I return to Cork in the near future.

Cheerful, affordable and central (4/5 green stars also) My brother and I stayed for 3 nights in an apartment in Hotel Isaacs. It's a 5-minute walk from the bus stop for the AirCoach from Dublin, and less than a 10-minute walk to the Kent train station, St. Patrick's Street, and the Crawford Art Gallery. The rate was just under €100 per night, which is pretty good considering that it's so centrally located and included two bedrooms (comfy beds) a living room area and adjoining kitchen. We used the kitchen just a little but it's pretty well stocked, with a full oven/hob, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, dishwasher, a few pots and pans and a full set of china and utensils. Sound insulation on the windows was not very good, so noise from traffic and the hotel laneway was fairly loud at times, but most of it subsided by 11 PM. For sure, noisy neighbors could ruin your night if you are unlucky. There were a few quirks - the bathroom light didn't come on until 3 seconds after you hit the switch, the hot tap had really low pressure while the cold tap was such a torrent that it pushed water back out of any item you were filling! Hotel upkeep could be a bit better too - one lamp had no bulb, the carpet was a little stained in places, but overall it was clean and cheerful. I also found the reception staff to be a bit odd - there was construction going on the whole time, and instead of apologizing at check-in, the receptionist kept asking us about whether we were excited about the gin bar they were building. It would have been better to give us a free gin to compensate for the noise and disruption than to try to convince us that the building work was very exciting, as if we were children. None of these things bothered me a huge amount, and ultimately the hotel is a bargain considering the location. For social and environmental impact, I'm giving them 4/5 green stars. Isaac's is owned by the PREM hotel group, who own around 40 hotels, mainly in Ireland, the UK and Belgium. PREM have virtually nothing to say about sustainability or social issues so they need to do better at communicating any efforts that they make. On Glasdoor, employees give PREM a mediocre score, citing the poor pay and benefits. Besides this, my score is based mostly on the observations below... Greenes Restaurant is a highlight of the hotel - they do a good job of transparency on their menu, and list all of their suppliers on their website. There's an emphasis on local, organic, free-range and even foraged ingredients and 95% of ingredients are sourced within 50 km. In our rooms (apartment) they had a few things in place to save resources. All taps operated on a push mechanism - this could be annoying for some but it does save water (except in the case of our torrential kitchen tap). Their shampoo and liquid soap came in pump dispensers that the staff could top up for each new set of guests, saving on unnecessary plastic bottle waste. The soap and shampoo was from Gilchrest and Soames, who tend to avoid synthetic or animal-based ingredients and also don't test on animals. Tea and coffee supplies were not so ethical: coffee from Nescafe and tea from Barry's (although they did also supply Rainforest Alliance certified tea from Tetley). They had a separate bin in the kitchen for recycling. Thanks to the manager for providing updates on some of their conservation efforts: installation of LED lightbulbs and eco-flow shower heads, encouragement of towel re-use, and waterless urinals. They've reduced energy use from their boiler by 60% and will probably expect further reductions when they eco-update the apartments next year. Suggestions for improvement: Isaac's need to do a better job at educating guests on their heating system. After we checked in, I called reception to say that it was way too hot and they were kind of snippy, saying guests are not supposed to touch the thermostats! I hadn't even touched them (the previous guests must have turned them up) and as it turned out we didn't need to turn the heat on at all for three days. The heat only turns on when you put the key card in the slot inside the door, but this isn't explained at all in the room. So they would save a lot of energy (and avoid overheated guests) if they just included a notice on how this works. So, overall there are some pros and some cons and I think they deserve 4/5 green stars. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me! (greenstarsproject)

Hotel Isaacs was located perfectly in Cork. We could walk to historical markers, food, downtown, or to the University easily. The hotel was well furnished and very clean. The decor was nice and the restaurant and bar were awesome! We had excellent service and an overall wonderful stay. At that point in our trip we needed a laundry service badly. There was a same-day (took only 2 hours) laundry shop right across the street. If I go back to Cork I would stay here again.

Dispite the other reviews we came here on the way to Dub and were surprised to be welcomed at the front door by an on site real waterfall, first class service and amenities. The man who checked us in was very helpful without us even prompting him. He gave us a map and directions to unique places in the city and recommended breakfast for only €10 which was well worth it for a trad English breakfast next to a waterfall. The room was imaculate. We didn't try to gym idk if they have one. Don't look any further for lodging in Cork- the location is great!

Nothing to write home about but also nothing to complain about either. Casual dining as it should be. If you're looking for straightforward food this is a good place there's probably something on the menu for everybody. Prices were very reasonable. If you don't like the experimenting with the whole and walls in the hitter mess of a recommendation you should come here for "safe but good" dining.

This is a really nice hotel, this was my second time staying here, and I was pleased the first time so I decided to come back. The breakfast was amazing, with a scenic view of a beautiful waterfall that can be seen from windows of the hotel rooms (depending on the room). The service was excellent and the front desk staff was very helpful and accommodating. I would gladly come back and the location of the hotel is walking distance to pretty much anything you want to see in Cork!

Myself and my partner booked into Isaacs for 5 nights over the May bank holiday weekend, partly due to the fact that there was little to choose from by the time we did so. The hotel gets a fairly decent review on TripAdvisor and presents itself quite well on the website but we were very disappointed with our stay. Here's an outline of my main problems with the place: 1. Cleanliness The room initially appeared relatively clean but the bed sheets were badly stained and it was obvious that staff had made some effort to conceal this. Lamps and lockers were covered in dust and the shower could have done with a scrub and some new grouting. 2. Noise Our room was on the side that faces the rather busy MacCurtain Street. Night-time noise wasn't really an issue provided the windows were closed but we were woken by very noisy delivery trucks at around 6am on two of the mornings. On one other morning we were awoken by a group of people talking in the rooms next door - the walls obviously being quite thin! 3. Internet Unfortunately there is no complimentary internet in the rooms, wired or wireless. Bitbuzz is the only provider in the hotel and the signal isn't great. 4. Air There's no air conditioning, no ventilation in the corridors and if you're on the same level as someone who smokes you can probably expect to have a smokey room. 5. Value When I booked the hotel via Hotels.com I thankfully was able to avail of an offer 'stay 5 nights and get the final one free' which reduced the price of the stay to €300. This however considering the basic facilities, other problems outlined above and the fact that breakfast was extra I think wasn't great value for money. I'd prefer to have stayed in a guesthouse or B&B for the same price. Location is good and it seems pretty secure but that's about all the positive things I can say. My bad experience of the room made me avoid eating in the restaurant which looks like a lovely setting. Overall a very disappointing experience.

Hard to sleep with the noise from the restuarant and the uncomfortable beds. Rooms are nice, service is terrible and even if you book months in advance your rooms will be wrong. Stay away unless you don't intend to be sleeping here.

Great hotel which I usually stay at when I'm back in Cork. Good service and the room quality has improved over the years. Decently priced if you book in advance and you can't beat the central location. Only flaw is the parking is off site from the hotel (around the corner up a hill) which they share with a church. Tricky when you are checking in and out with lots of bags.

The Isaacs Hotels advantage is its perfect location in Cork. Only a couple of minutes from the city center and near to some cool pubs and restaurants. What I also liked was the big walk-in shower which is absolutely modern and quite unusual in the pretty old-school bathroom. Also the beds were much more comfortable than they appeared. When we checked in I first had to claim some keys from reception for the parking lot and they explained to me where it was situated. And funnily: the hotels car park is on church grounds, 3 walking minutes from the hotel and safely secured by a gate. As said before, the room was ok, it has a TV, hairdryer and safe, this was somewhat "funny" though and worked strangely, but we figured it out and it locked and opened when we needed it. One morning we decided to have breakfast in the Greens Restaurant which was alright-ish. Upon check out I saw though that they charged us for 2 full breakfast instead of 2 continental. Unfortunately my credit card has been swiped already and those 4 euros did not really hurt. The 1st night was really quiet, on the Friday night I was awoken by loud talking from the outside and later then, at around 5 am our neighbors started their after party in the room next door, well...they did not speak in hushed voices. But then again:you get what you ask for in a city hotel over the weekend! Room was clean and spacious though, would go back again.

We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Isaacs Cork. The staff were super nice and helpful. Room was lovely - larger than I expected with a large, comfy bed and very clean. Breakfast was awesome. The off-site parking was a bit inconvenient as my husband's knee was acting up but, overall, this was a great choice for our first time stay in Ireland. We will be back!!

This budget Hotel is in a great location in Cork - just 5 minutes walk away from the train and bus stations. The Hotel is situated in a Victorian building which is well furnished and decorated. All the hotels have ensuite and hair drying facilities. Really this place should be a four star hotel but for some off reason they want to attract the budget traveller here - I am not complaining at all.

I stayed a this hotel for one night and arrived around 8.30pm, thank goodness i did as i couldnt have stayed here for longer, it certainly isnt the kind of room to chill and relax. The reception service was unfriendly, i was checked in whilst the receptionist (or hotel manager) as on the phone for the entire time. The room was very dated and poorly designed,old carpet and battered sheets on the bed. the room service menu consists of just 3 sandwiches, which i a shame as the resturant is very good by all accounts. I couldnt stay for breakfast as the smell was too much for me i just needed fresh air. Again the checkout was just as painful as the check-in. Apart from the location and price there is no incentive to return to this hotel, the website is not represntative of the hotel at all which is a shame.

This hotel was amazing. We requested an updated room because we were there on our honeymoon and they do not disappoint. The room was spectacular! The decor was scary at first but it works very very well together. That mattress tho... Wow! The hands down most comfortable thing I have ever slept on! I slept like a baby that night. Lol the icing on the whole delicious cake called Hotel Isaacs was the magnificent, honest to God real waterfall right next to the hotel. We were sat right next to the waterfall during breakfast and was just amazed. You can't beat the price for such amazing amenities!

Simply the best kept secret in Cork. Great place to stay, eat, and drink ! Staff are a pleasure to meet!

This hotel had a great location but was not overwhelmed by our stay. We stayed in one of the apartments and the carpet was super dirty and the back bedrooms smelled badly ( even a 17 year old boy thought the smell was gross).... Maybe they should rip out all carpets and install something easier to keep clean. Their new cocktail lounge, Cask, and Isaacs Restaurant are both beautifully decorated and the hotel just needs some updating. But, the location was great and the staff was nice!

Checked in Saturday afternoon. I really think its unprofessional when you walk into a Hotel, and the Reception Staff, don't look up to Welcome you! Anyway, we were given directions to our room, and the carpark - which is located a little distance away from the Hotel - which can prove as an inconvenience when you are checking out, or if it is raining! The Hotel Kindly upgraded us to a Superior Room, for our Wedding Anniversary, but I would hate to see what the basic room looks like, if the Superior was so small, and the toilet not clean! The walls are paper thin, you can hear the rooms above, when they are using the bathroom facilities, and the Hotel itself, is masked in air fresheners - which is never a good sign. Checking out, the Girl barley acknowledged us, she was very ignorant. They were overcharging us, and when I advised her that we didn't have breakfast, she didn't apologise, or ask how we liked our stay! Overall, this Hotel is perfect for a Lads Weekend, or a Stag, i.e if you really only want somewhere to store your bits, and have a quick shower before a night out. You can get a room for as cheap as 55Euro with the Hotel directly, or one of the various Hotel Booking websites. This Hotel is in a fantastic location also, and I've heard that their restaurant is really good. I def. would not recommmend this Hotel to anyone looking for a Romantic Break, or anysort of Luxury - for this, you should check out the Clarion or Jurys...

Hello, Isac Hotel is for wonderful stay in Cork. Hotel is almost in the Center of city, rooms are very nice and big, bathroom is great and service is perfect. Thr biggest advantage i can see also in the fact, that Isac has Greens restsurant, which is one of the best in Cork as their restaurant where you can apply -10% discount fir meal as a guest. We really enjoyed the stay and with combination of Greens we will never forget ;-)

Affordable stay but not impressed. Carpets need urgent cleaning ( in the common areas and in the rooms). Walls in the room had mildew and there were some leaks. Breakfast was nice although service needs serious improvement. We had to call waiters a few times to remind them of our tea and coffee.

If staying at a former hostel with paper-thin ceilings/floors, hearing your drunk neighbors stumbling around from 2 to 6 AM and have no in-room climate control; then this is the perfect place for you. Coming from a New Yorker who's used to plenty of noise and has done a fair amount of global traveling, this was the worst hotel stay I've experienced. Stay well away, especially if you're traveling with kids.

I stayed here for 4 nights and found it to be nothing short of amazing. Great location in proximity to the city, great staff, just fantastic. I highly recommend staying here if you need a reasonably priced yet classy hotel.