Residence Inn by Marriott Cork

We like staying at residence in for its kitchenette and how close it is to Cork city. The bed and shower are great, and the reception staff were professional and helpful when we arrived. They gave us a few suggestions for things to see and do. We came for Jazz weekend. There were lots of events on MacCurtain street, while the hotel itself stayed quiet and relaxing. It’s wheelchair accessible and good for families.

The noise was relentless. A car park across the road had a roller shutter banging open and shut at all hours, and people from a nearby pub shouted and argued outside late into the night. With so little soundproofing, I couldn't sleep, and none of this was flagged when booking. The room stayed freezing throughout our visit, with heating that barely worked or seemed absent. It also wasn't cleaned every day, which is not acceptable at this price. The basics felt more like a cheap hostel than a Marriott hotel. Breakfast was so poor it put me off eating. The choices were just sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs. The bacon was dry and hard, and on our last morning the eggs smelled so strongly of fish that I first thought they were smoked salmon. They looked discoloured too, which left me worried about the food quality and safety. Parking costs another €30 a night at that same car park, since there's no parking at the hotel. The charge isn't made clear enough up front and feels like an extra cost sprung on guests. With the cold room, missed housekeeping, noise, worrying breakfast and expensive parking, I wouldn't come back. This was one of my worst hotel stays and a disgrace to the Marriott name. I'd tell others to stay elsewhere unless they're fine with paying too much for a miserable visit.

The food was delicious and our room was spotless. The staff were so helpful, and the hotel really did welcome dogs. Mine got plenty of fuss. Parking was in the multistorey across the road, but we got a reduced rate as hotel guests. We'll definitely be back.

Breakfast was a full 10 out of 10, and I really appreciated the free laundry facilities and the detergent they provided. The rooms were immaculate, and the staff were both friendly and professional. It's about a 10 minute walk to the city centre and the train station. Fantastic hotel, we'd highly recommend it.