The Kingsley Hotel, in Cork City, has had a tasteful refurbishment over the last 12-months, creating unity and flow throughout its public spaces with stylish tones, and shared themes in the textures unifying the spaces while ensuring individuality where needed.
Following on from a refurbishment of The Spa at The Kingsley in 2022, which included a brand new look for the nine treatment rooms creating an chic urban retreat to enjoy the luxury product ranges – Neom Organics, Kerstin Florian, Natural Spa Factory and the Handmade Soap Company, The Kingsley has continued the redesign from The Spa into their public spaces working with interior designer Sinead Cassidy.
Taking inspiration from the hotel’s riverside setting on the banks of the River Lee, interior designer Sinead Cassidy updated Fairbanks Restaurant, The K Lounge, Fishers Bar, The Library and breakfast serving room, the main entrance known as the Glass Box, the reception lobby, the corridors linking reception to the lift lobby, the large lift lobby area, the Deane-Woodward Suite function room, 4 meeting rooms and 2 restrooms. The designers also choose to incorporate the fascinating history of the hotel’s original site, Cork’s old Lee Baths which operated from 1934 until 1986 including a number of archived framed photographs along the corridors to accompany a very special painting that The Kingsley commissioned by renowned artist Oonagh Hurley, showing the diving board at the site of Cork’s old Lee Baths for Fairbanks Restaurant.
Continuing throughout the artwork in the hotel guests will find many Irish artists and local photographers including Ted Murphy, Carmel Smyth and Sorcha Clooney creating fantastic talking points for locals and visiting guests alike. The public spaces in the main reception area have gained additional seating where food and beverages can now be served creating a stylish space for people watching or as a place to enjoy refreshments with a good book. A strong botanical theme can be seen throughout the public spaces with significant investment in indoor greenery and striking planters bringing a sense of calm and softness to the spaces.
There are showstopping design features, including bespoke pendent lighting from local suppliers Lightplan Cork & Mullan Lighting in the entrance, reception, Fairbanks Restaurant and the Deane-Woodward Suite. Metallic gold and bronze textured wallpaper sit against green corduroy effect vinyl wall coverings bringing a glamourous touch to the interior, and feature wallpapers packed full of vibrant colour, botanical influences and water themes give a nod to the hotel’s setting on the River Lee. From herringbone flooring to bespoke chairs from Irish suppliers and local upholsterers Finline and Abbeyowney creating chic dining chairs and seating zones, while new carpets and rugs have updated the aesthetic of the entrance and reception, right through the public spaces.
“We are delighted with the vibrant new look of The Kingsley’s public spaces,” said General Manger Fergal Harte. “The chosen colours, soft furnishings, artwork and design features beautifully link our special location and history, while creating welcoming spaces that work for a busy city hotel. I’m looking forward to meeting locals and guests and hearing their feedback over the coming months.”
The investment to The Kingsley offers guests a chic and stylish location for city breaks and luxury spa experiences all on the doorstep to Cork city. While the brand new and beautifully connected spaces encapsulating the hotel’s unique location is ideal for business meetings, socialising and a fantastic place to celebrate special occasions.
