Located in Downtown Cork is the beautiful Dean Hotel. This centrally located hotel offers visitors an upscale stay in Cork while giving them walking access to the downtown area. It is next door to the train station which makes it accessible to all types of travelers.
On our recent road trip through Ireland, Larry and I stayed at the Dean Hotel in Cork. We enjoyed the amazing rooftop views, walked throughout downtown, and relaxed in the soft beds after a long day of driving. Here is our full review of our stay!
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Everything you must know about The Dean Hotel Cork
The modern, impeccably decorated hotel is cool and designed for you to marvel at each corner. The sleekness of the hotel juxtaposed against the rural country that is Ireland adds a layer of interest for all. From the metal hardware to the bright blue bathrooms, The Dean delights at every turn.
Cork is a city in the south of Ireland right on the water. You will drive along the river to get to this hotel. It is a growing city with construction everywhere. As more modern and sleek areas open, the Dean will continue to stand out. It also boasts a wonderful rooftop restaurant and bar. On days less rainy than what we experienced, sitting out on the rooftop terrace is enchanting.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Proximity to the train station | Proximity to the train station (train noises) |
| Sophie’s the Rooftop Restaurant & Bar | Location of pool & gym in hotel |
| Centrally located | Everything is an additional cost add-on |
| Beautifully designed & decorated | Rooms on the smaller side |
| Lively lobby bar |
Frequently Asked Questions about The Dean Cork
What are the rooms like?
There are 5 levels of rooms in the Dean – Cork. From the Super Rooms that sleep 1-2 people to the Penthouse that sleeps 2-4 people. There are also family suites that sleep 1-4 people which includes a bunk bed. The largest type of room is the Penthouse, also being the most expensive. 50% down payment is required at booking for the penthouse, but only for the penthouse.
Super Rooms at The Dean
The Super Rooms are the smallest rooms with the suites somewhere in the middle. The suite is essentially like the super room but with extra space. The amount of room you want is, of course, totally up to you. Depending on how long you plan on staying in the rooms you may want to have more room or be okay with the smallest sized room.
The Super Room isn’t tiny. There isn’t a closet or a luggage rack in the super rooms. There are a couple of hooks and that’s the best for hanging clothes. The bathrooms are large. The shower is comfortable, but it strangely has a mirror in it. (Great for shaving according to Larry).
All the rooms come with air conditioning and heat. They all feature a TV with satellite channels, a SMEG mini-fridge, a coffee machine, and a record player. All of the treats at the Munchies tray are for sale so are all the drinks in the mini-fridge. Some of the rooms have city views. All the rooms have comfortable beds, and full private bathrooms. The bathrooms feature a waterfall shower for a luxurious shower.
Our main points of contention with the rooms were 1) there was no real room to put our suitcases, 2) the feeling of constantly being sold to. Given the lack of space for a luggage rack or chairs, there was no real place to put our suitcases. We put them on the couch and made it work, but it wasn’t ideal. From check-in to the room, you really felt like you walked into a giant advertisement. The check-in desk has all The Dean “Merch” and the rooms have the munchies bar. Absolutely everything from the water to the coffee was for sale. It was uncomfortable.
What is parking like at the Dean?
The Dean Cork does not have on-site parking. This is probably the most challenging thing. Initially, we parked right in front of the hotel, but you cannot park there overnight. At check-in, they informed us that we could park in the train station parking lot.
We could see the parking lot from our room, yet finding it while driving was a whole different story! Due to the many one-way streets in the area, it was surprisingly hard to find the parking lot. It was disappointing that the front desk staff did not provide us with any additional information. We also had to pay for the parking. Parking is not included in the room rate. For 24 hours the parking was 10 Euros. This is why we believe it’s a great hotel if you’re taking the train to Cork rather than driving to Cork.
Is the hotel’s restaurant worth it?
Sophie’s rooftop restaurant is The Dean’s restaurant. It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Along with food, Sophie’s offers amazing city views both inside and on the terrace.
They offer a full a la carte menu during the week with an additional brunch menu on weekends. While you might not see traditional Irish pub food for at Sophie’s, you will find toasties, Fish and chips, and some excellent wood-fired pizza for lunch. For dinner, you’ll find fresh local seafood, fish, and lamb. Of course, there is also a substantial dessert menu!
They offer a full a la carte English/Irish breakfast. All these meals are available for both guests and people not staying at the hotel. I would recommend a reservation. Finally, there are also cocktails served at Sophie’s in addition to the cocktails served in the Lobby’s bar.
What is breakfast like at the hotel?
As part of your booking, you can choose to get a room that includes breakfast. There are other rooms that include dinner or breakfast and dinner or rooms without the added meals. Adding meals to your booked stay does make it more expensive. All the meals will be at Sophie’s Rooftop Restaurant.
The menu features a full English/Irish breakfast. Full English/Irish breakfast includes black & white pudding, sausages, bacon, a fried egg, and toast. The fresh-squeezed orange juice is divine! They offer a variety of different teas as well.
PRO TIP: If you are typically a coffee with coffee creamer drinker they do not have coffee creamer in Ireland. Ask for milk and sugar instead! Or opt for tea for the full Irish experience.
We got the Eggs Benedict and the Salmon Poached Eggs Royal. The Salmon ended up being more like an eggs Benedict, but with smoked salmon instead of ham. We did not find the breakfast potatoes to be that great, but they were good enough.
What is the fitness center like?
Usage of The Power Gym center is included for all guests of the hotel. Locals can also be members of the gym to go for classes or work out with trainers. Additionally, the gym is designed for to be luxurious and functional. However, aside from the design the gym’s set up for training and recovery.
You’ll find the gym on the left side of the lobby next to the bar. In the gym, you’ll find high-quality equipment, high-spec changing rooms, a sauna, a steam room, and a heated recovery pool. They also offer classes in Power Gym which are available to hotel guests for 15 euros.
What is the Dean Cork’s star rating?
The Dean Cork is considered a 4-star hotel. It has a rating of 8.6/10 on Booking.com and 4.4/5 on TripAdvisor. You can expect to get close to a 4 star experience at the Dean.
The two major things that made it a less than 4-star experience for us were the parking situation and the fact that we constantly felt like we were being sold to. Larry also wants to add the fact that we were so close to the train station that the train woke him up a couple of times; it did not wake me up.
What is there to do nearby?
Given that this hotel is in downtown Cork there is plenty to do nearby and all of it is within walking distance. At check-in, you’ll get a handy map that shows all the local things to do near the hotel. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and museums. Definitely check out the Butter Museum!
Some other fun stuff to do in Cork City includes hitting up their English Market. This market boasts the best breakfast! Cork City Goal is a prison that you can visit, it is a very popular tourist attraction. A fun thing to do would be to ring the bells at Shandon Bell Tower. Given that Cork is on the water there is plenty of river walks and coast to walk along.
Look at an in-depth guide of everything about Cork.
When is the best time to visit?
Ireland is a country that you can visit year-round. To avoid the cold or heat and all the crowds, I’d recommend visiting Ireland March through May or September through November. Given the time of year you may experience rain. Bring a rain jacket and roll with it! Its the way of the Irish after all.
If flying into Dublin, you can take the Transport for Ireland interrail to get to Cork. Driving in Ireland can be challenging, luckily there are many buses and trains that will quickly get you to Cork. Cork is very walkable so that is something to consider when planning your trip. If you won’t be driving and you’ll be walking around you want to avoid the coldest or hottest parts of the year.
Is The Dean Cork a good hotel for a romantic getaway?
I would say no. It’s more of a “girls’ weekend” or “staycation” type of hotel. It’s not really set up for romance. There are no romantic booking packages available either. The cool vibes make you want to explore rather than cozy in with your partner for some romance. For a romantic getaway in Ireland check out the incredible Dromoland Castle.
In Conclusion – Is it worth visiting The Dean Cork?
The Dean Cork is a great staycation or a hotel for travelers coming to Cork via rail. It is beautifully decorated with a great vibe. The rooftop restaurant is delicious! Given its 4-star rating, it is a little on the more expensive side especially considering that nothing is included (like breakfast!). If you’re able to book well in advance, like 3ish months, you might get a good enough deal that makes it worthwhile. But for over $400 a night, I would say it is not a good deal.
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