Travel: The Real Dean

The Dean Cork offers both style and substance

This week felt like more than just a reopening. On the much-awaited June 2 reboot, I wasn’t just making my first hotel stay of the year, I was also checking into Cork’s freshest new accommodation spot, located in the city’s waterfront quarter on the rise. The Dean Cork, towering over the regenerating Horgan’s Quay quarter, is Cork’s new kid on the hotel block, bringing a bold, boutique flavour to the city centre. The hotel may be already trending for its design credentials, rooftop restaurants and, yes, now infamous swings but I was about to see if this hotel experience Leeside would take me to the next level.

Following its short-lived launch in January, The Dean, sister hotel to its edgy Dublin namesake and soon to open offering in Galway, was about to enjoy its 'take 2' launch. Approaching the hotel’s industrial and somewhat divisive façade (I’m one of those who genuinely likes it), there was an added jolt of excitement — and indeed expectation — that this would be an atypical accommodation stay. “We don’t do conventional. We do fun” is the hotel’s irreverent brand motto and as soon as I stepped into the hotel’s vibrant, street-view lobby with “Aannd we’re back!” signage, you get the sense that you’re in for a fun ride.