Jurys open €38m hotel 16 months after wrecking ball checked in

SIXTEEN months after the wrecking ball moved in, Cork’s new Jurys Hotel will reopen its doors at noon today after a €38 million redevelopment.

Builders were still on site yesterday putting the finishing touches to the swanky 182-bedroomed, four-star hotel on the Western Road.

Some of the 100-plus staff were arranging furniture as it was being delivered.

But general manager Fergal Somers said everything will be ready for the first guests, including a delegation of Swedish politicians in town for a meeting of the South West Regional Authority, who are expected to arrive this evening. Bookings are flooding in, Mr Somers said.

Sixty of the plush rooms, which boast flat screen TVs, high speed internet access and under-floor heating in the toilets, are booked this evening.

All nine of the hi-tech meeting rooms on the second storey business centre of the five storey building are fully booked for corporate meetings tomorrow.

And with top jazz bands lined up to play at the hotel throughout the jazz bank holiday weekend, it’s set to be a baptism of fire.

The new light-filled hotel which has a 150-space underground car park, has been designed to make the most of its riverside setting.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning views from the reception area and the new Leeside Bar. The Leeside Bistro looks out over a weir. And a new walkway has been built on the river bank along the length of the building.

Dozens of rooms have bay windows looking out onto the river. But it’s the executive rooms on the top floor which have the best views.

Three glass-walled lifts at the front of the building also offer panoramic views of the city and the spires of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.

However, the new hotel does not have a ballroom. Jurys Cork will target business customers and tourists.

Over 100 people — 65% Irish and 35% foreign nationals — will be employed at the hotel.

They have had over 15,000 hours of training including a treasure hunt featuring the city’s landmarks to ensure they can offer guests advice on where to go and what to see.

Margit Ilyas from Poland, the food and beverage manager, said she and her colleagues were looking forward to welcoming guests.

The hotel was developed by O’Callaghan Properties, designed by Henry J Lyons and built by Bowen Construction.

Room rates start at €129.

www.jurysdoyle.com/cork