The Maryborough Hotel and Spa

We loved the thermal suites and the hotel’s thoughtful touches, like the slippers, robe and little toiletries. I’ve missed those on recent trips. We booked a one night getaway with my husband, including the spa, a four course dinner and breakfast. The restaurant food was amazing and the service was awesome. We also got on really well with service manager Kieran, sorry if I’ve got his name wrong. He was easy to talk to and a really nice fellow. I’d absolutely recommend it for a romantic getaway. You won’t be disappointed.

Such a nice end to the day. I went for afternoon tea and cakes with my wife and a few friends, and Arlene was a lovely, friendly waitress. The cakes were delicious. My wife had Prosecco and said it was very nice. Honestly, I was blown away by the service. Thanks, Maryborough hotel.

Bellini’s Restaurant was a real highlight, with beautifully presented, flavourful food and great options for different dietary preferences. Breakfast was just as good, with hearty Irish favourites as well as lighter choices. The staff throughout the hotel, from the spa to the restaurant, were warm, attentive and professional, and always made us feel looked after. The Maryborough Hotel & Spa is in leafy Douglas, with easy access to Cork city. The old Georgian manor and gardens, dressed with Christmas 🎄 trees and lights, made a lovely backdrop and helped set a relaxing mood. The ESPA spa and leisure facilities were excellent: the thermal suite, pool and treatments were a great escape, and the health club’s narrow indoor pool was a bonus. My stay was pleasant from start to finish. It seems suited to business trips as well as romantic getaways. I left feeling refreshed, thanks in part to the incredibly comfortable bed and pillows, and I’m already planning to return. Highly recommended for a memorable stay in Cork.

The reception area looks like a four star hotel, but the rest felt like a two star one. We were disappointed as soon as we left reception. The place seemed run down, and our room was very grubby, with handprints, chips and paint splatters on the walls (see photos). Some light switches didn’t work. The reading light switch on my side was broken, though my partner’s worked. The back of the headboard had very amateur wiring, as you can see in the pictures. Our headboard backed onto the one in the next room, and we could hear every word through the wall, which seemed to have had the same botched sealing job. The spa was what really made me write this. It wasn’t dirty, but it was very, very neglected. There was a plastic bag and two cups floating in the thermal room water, which I had to throw away. Nobody came in to check or clean while we waited for our treatments, and the relaxation beds were broken and grubby. Service was very poor too. At breakfast, there’s a set menu, but good luck getting anyone to take your order. Ask for anything extra and you’ll be waiting a long time. Staff write down your order and then don’t come back. Even asking for ketchup took four tries. The staff were rude and unhelpful in general, barging past in the bar and restaurant without making room, as if whatever they were doing mattered more. They weren’t welcoming either. If you’re unhappy working over New Year, get another job.