Hotel reopens fit for The Kingsley
The Kingsley hotel was deluged in the major floods that decimated parts of the Cork city in 2009 and the hotel was hit so badly that 232 guests had to be evacuated as rushing water swept into the city along the River Lee.
Its owners at the time, Tom McCarthy and Tom Kelly, were forced to close the hotel with the loss of 130 jobs. Late last year, it was purchased by the Kang family, who also own the Fota Island Resort, and they have just completed a major refurbishment.
In particular, they had to spend a significant amount of money totally refurbishing the ground floor area and they have also carried out some remedial works which they hope will reduce the possibility of further flooding.
The four-star hotel will initially employ 100 staff and it is hoped to increase this as business grows.
It contains 131 guest bedrooms, extensive conferencing facilities, a health club with a gym, large indoor heated pool, and an outdoor hydro pool overlooking the river, as well as a luxury spa that extends over two floors and has 12 plush treatment rooms.
The Kingsley also boasts The Residencies, a separate self-catering, fully-serviced property adjacent to the hotel, with 18 two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom penthouse, all with commanding views of the Lee Fields and the River Lee.
“It’s an exciting time to open Cork’s newest hotel with The Kingsley,” said general manager Fergal Harte. “We are now looking forward to welcoming our first guests, both those who are staying with us and those who have come to experience one of our excellent dining offerings or an indulgent treatment in our impressive spa. Business is bustling in Cork, the outlook is good, and we’re happy to be a part of such a positive news story for hospitality and for the city.”
The Kingsley’s logo is a kingfisher, a bird frequently seen along the riverbank. The hotel also features the chic Fairbanks Restaurant, the casual dining bistro The Springboard, and an intimate bar, Fishers.
