Cork is a delightfully cosmopolitan city in Southern Ireland and only a short 20-minute drive from fabled Blarney Castle.

Hayfield Manor is an elegant boutique hotel near the city center of Cork. When you combine a spectacular attraction like Blarney Castle with an extraordinary hotel like Hayfield Manor, you have brewed up a "must do" itinerary while visiting the Emerald Isle.

Passing through the stone and steel arch of Hayfield Manor after driving through the busy business center of Cork is to leave the hectic pace of city life and to enter the tranquil country garden setting of a magnificent manor house.

The circular drive of Hayfield Manor is reminiscent of grand houses everywhere - and in the axis of the driveway, you will find an eager and friendly door attendant immediately at your service. As you exit your vehicle, you instinctively know you are about to experience the uncompromising elegance for which the manor has earned its high rating.

The accommodations

There are 88 bedrooms and suites in the hotel - all with unique vintage furnishings, exquisite floor coverings, and tasteful window styling. Each sleeping room has modern amenities readily available, but all are seamlessly woven into the room and suite's decor - from complimentary high-speed internet access to a 32" flat screen TV with DVD - there is even an electric golf-putting machine to improve your game.

Tradition dominates throughout

After our tour of the manor, the congenial General Manager, Ettienne Van Vrede, asked, "How old does the manor feel," we missed its age by a country mile. We replied that the hotel had the ambiance and appearance of a mid-19th century manor house. We were astonished to learn that the present structure had replaced a centuries old manor less than 20 years ago in 1996.

Extraordinary dining

Be sure to enjoy the special culinary experience of dining at the Orchids Restaurant. The Hayfield's gifted expert chef prepares a nightly medley of Irish victuals to excite and delight the most discerning international palate. For less formal dining, there is Perrotts Garden Bistro. Located in the bright and airy hotel conservatory, the Bistro offers standard fare such as scrumptious salads and tasty burgers.

A rather unusual private dining room for up to 30 dinner guests is located in the manor's cellar. The "Vine Wine Cellar" provides a unique atmosphere surrounded by the manor's extensive selection of vintage wines. 

The meeting rooms

The Hayfield has four meeting rooms - the largest is capable of seating 110. All are fully fortified with the latest in technology.

Health and Beauty

The spa at the Hayfield Manor is a destination in its own right. Each of the seven treatment rooms are designed to ensure that guests have the opportunity to relax, refresh and rejuvenate surrounded by luxuries such as glistening chandeliers, vintage perfume decanters, and antique style furnishings. Select from the extensive Elemis treatment menu and you are sure to come away with a renewed sense of well being.

We recommend the Hayfield Manor Hotel for global travelers planning to visit famous Blarney Castle, or have other reasons to be in Cork. By staying at the Hayfield, you will be in distinguished company. The past guest list includes Prince Andrew - the Duke of York, Henry Kissinger, Pierce Brosnan, Edsel Ford, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, John Cleese, the King of Malaysia and the Prime Minister of Canada.

If you go

The Hayfield Manor Hotel is located at Perrott Avenue, College Road, Cork, Ireland. It is just up the hill from University College Cork. For more information, and to read all that the hotel has to offer, check out their website at http://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/or email: sales@hayfieldmanor.ie

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Be sure to see the slideshow of photos of Hayfield Manor in the top left margin of this article.

Read about famous Blarney Castle (article) (photos)

Happy travels!

We flew from New York to Dublin on Aer Lingus. We enjoyed the Irish hospitality in the sky, you will too.

© Travels with Wayne and Judy (syndicated)

Photos © Wayne and Judy Bayliff