I’m in Cork on business and staying at a new hotel. The exterior is modern and I don’t feel it is attractive. It’s important to be curious and open-minded about art, I think. But my judgement intervenes when I drive up to the outside of this place.
However, it is a beautiful and well-appointed facility. There is a full spa, pool, and grounds surrounded by a wildlife refuge. Out the windows are green, gently rolling hills so typical of Ireland, complete with the bleating sheep that have full coats, pregnant for shearing in a few weeks.
This photo shows the FRONT of the hotel, quite unspectacular, and what’s up with that big green facia? The whole modern-ness of the building and stark landscaping really distracts from the countryside. But then, maybe that discontinuity is the point – the building definitely does not compete with the natural beauty.
Inside is another story. The reception area is sit-down desks, like when you open a checking account, except that each of the three desks is in it’s own private alcove with beautiful mossy green curtains hung back on either side. The rooms are also beautiful and environmentally friendly. You have to put your door key into a slot on the wall just inside for the power to go on. The bathroom is the gem in the room:
European in design, the shower has only a wall, no door. The first shower I had flooded the entire bathroom because I don’t think the drain is working properly, so I put a towel across just in case. There are two shower heads, one of the huge rain type, and a second traditional head. Not shown is a huge tub, plenty big enough for two, with two headrests and a waterfall-type water spout on the side.
The glass panel in the shower divides the shower from the rest of the room. This architectural feature is repeated in the bar area of the lobby, where you can see the bottles of Irish whiskey lined up behind the frosted glass.
