Summer is here and we’re looking to Staycation Summer within the Ring of Cork within East Cork and Cork Harbour. There are still plenty of places to relax and enjoy right here at home while enjoying all of the staycation activities that the Ring of Cork has to offer.
We’ll look at where to stay, things to do over the next few days, so let’s start with where to stay!
Where to Staycation
There are so many places to staycation at home and escape from it all. Let’s take a look at a few of our favourites. There are a wide variety of choices for families, romantic getaways, or just escaping the world.
Family Escapes
If you’re looking for the perfect staycation idea for the family, our guide to family escapes will help you decide:
Relax in the spa and stay Fota Island Resort
As Fota Island Resort continues to open in phases, with their Golf course and Proshop now open, hotel guest rooms, luxury self-catering lodges and swimming pool across the Resort. Fota Island Resort has something for all the members of the family, perfect for your luxury family escape. Sit in the Fota Island Spa or eat in the Amber Lounge and you’ll think you’re in another world.
Retreat to the beach Quality Hotel Youghal
Quality Hotel Youghal are opening their Holiday Homes for rental. Guests will have their own front door to the wide-open spaces and fresh sea air of Redbarn’s Blue Flag Beach to enjoy for a great family staycation. Three, five and weekly deals available.
It will be good old-fashioned fun, like building sandcastles, going for walks on the beach, scampering through Glenbower Woods, trekking at Knockadoon Cliff Walk, visiting Fota Wildlife Park or other attractions, such as Leahy’s Open Farm.
The Hotel and Leisure Centre will not be opening this year for the health and safety of guests. With just Holiday Homes on offer, footfall will be reduced by 50%, so we feel that parents will have a much more relaxing holiday break and manageable social distancing. There are also a number of take-away options locally and a brilliant new Pop Up, Happy Grillmores, right outside the door to ensure that everyone gets a holiday!
All Holiday Homes will be deep cleaned and sanitised before arrival and best practice will be observed in relation to all contact with members of the team. The primary focus for the Quality Hotel Youghal is the health and well-being of your family and their staff and they will take every action possible to ensure your safety.
Call 024 93050 or visit www.qualityhotelyoughal.com
Immerse in relaxation in the Carrigaline Court Hotel & Spa
The Carrigaline Court Hotel are delighted to welcome guests for the summer, both for residents and non-residents. Locals will be able to visit the hotel for breakfast, morning pastries, lunch and dinner.
In line with current Government restrictions, the bar will only be able to host guests that wish to avail of food offerings on a table service basis. Visitors will be encouraged to book in advance by contacting 021 4852100, and menu’s will be available to view on the hotel website www.carrigalinecourt.com
The hotel’s Bistro restaurant will also be opening for dinner service on Saturday evenings from 6pm.
The Great Family Escape at Radisson Hotel & Spa Cork
Treat the whole family to what will be your greatest escape ever, at the Radisson Blu Cork this summer.
Let the fun begin on arrival with a Global Explorers Gift Pack for each mini guest. With pictures to colour, games and treats included, the kids are guaranteed to be kept entertained for hours.
Enjoy a stay in one of their spacious Family bedrooms which cater for up to 2 adults and 4 children sharing. Choose from either one room with a double and a single bed or two interconnecting rooms, each of which can be kitted out with microwaves and cots upon request.
Whatever the weather, family fun is guaranteed, be it in the spacious gardens or in the indoor Swimming Pool where you can avail of the special children’s swimming hours (8am – 7pm daily) so that they have a chance to run, splash and swim to their heart’s content. We also offer a special Kids Turn Down Service of cookies and milk delivered to your room before bedtime!
During your stay make the most of your location, with a visit to the neighbouring Fota Wildlife Park, Blarney Castle, Blackrock Castle or take in the many cultural attractions in Cork city. Knowing holiday time with the kids can be more stressful than it sounds, the team have compiled their favourite Nearby Family Attractions to help you out.
Given the current climate, we would also like to reassure you that the new “Caring For You” policy at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cork will ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety throughout your stay. These will be regularly updated on the below link, and a member of their team will also be in touch in advance of your visit, to ensure total peace of mind.
Something for the whole family in Midleton Park Hotel
Midleton Park Hotel is located in the town of Midleton. And right now they have discounted rates on family packages throughout July including Kids Stay Free and their Fota Family package for a family of 4 for one night, which includes breakfast and a 3 course dinner.
Welcome back to the Oriel House Hotel
The Oriel House Hotel is a luxury business, family and leisure hotel in Ballincollig located on the west side of Cork City. It is just a stones throw away from Ballincollig Regional Park, perfect for your family adventure staycation.
And with easy access to the N40, you can visit anywhere within the Ring of Cork in a few short minutes. Choose to get out to Farran Woods to explore, or take the family to Fota Wildlife Park all within 20 minutes of the hotel. They have an onsite spa to unwind and relax and forget your troubles and are welcoming new and returning guests back to Ballincollig.
Oriel House is a unique mix of old and new, luxury and relaxation and the dedicated team at Oriel House ensure that all guests depart with nothing more than a desire to return.
The Bar & Bistro is also open for all guests, and staff are looking forward to helping with your family’s every need.
An Stór Townhouse
An Stór Townhouse is offering accommodation in Midleton Town Centre. They offer a range of room types, including a self-catering apartment. Which is an ideal base for exploring the sights of the Ring of Cork.
All their rooms are ensuite and linked to WiFi. They come in a wide range of accommodation. The family rooms can accommodate up to six, using double beds and the ever-popular bunks for the children.
For smaller groupings, many of the rooms have a double bed and two singles, a versatile arrangement which caters for twin, double or triple groupings. Breakfast is served in the dining room, but with the bonus of a self-catering dining area where guests are free to make tea, bring in or prepare their own food in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. This is ideal for families.
The large sitting room is comfortably furnished, with TV and piano.
Book direct, on their site www.anstortownhouse.com for best prices.
Escape to a Romantic Getaway
Now more than ever escape is extremely important for your perfect staycation. Here are some of our favourite romantic getaways:
Relax in style at Ballymaloe House
Ballymaloe House is situated near Shanagarry and reopens for bookings from July 22nd 2020. Ballymaloe House is a family run country house hotel and restaurant on 300 acres of farmland located in beautiful East Cork countryside. Internationally recognised as the birthplace of Modern Irish Cuisine, Ballymaloe House offers you the very best of Irish hospitality and food and a unique Irish Country House experience.
Voted Ireland’s Favourite Food Experience by Independent readers and World Restaurant Award winners for the world’s best Trolley of the Year for their unique dessert trolley offering and experience. Luckily you don’t have to wait until July 22nd to enjoy Ballymaloe as the restaurant can take limited bookings from July 2nd.
Staycation in luxury at Castlemartyr Resort & Golf Club
Castlemartyr Resort & Golf Club will be reopening to guests to stay from July 16th and are excited to welcome guests after recently winning overall 5 Star Hotel of the Year, Wedding Hotel of the Year and Luxury Hotel of the Year from the Irish Hotel Awards 2020. The safety of guests and the Castlemartyr Resort team is of paramount importance at Castlemartyr Resort, with this in mind, they will continue to ensure that your stay is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Castlemartyr Links Golf Club is now taking visitor bookings for June 29th and beyond. Click here for more information, or to place your booking, contact 021 421 9001, or email golf@castlemartyrresort.ie.
Staycation back in time at Knockeven House
Knockeven House is an 1840 Victorian House which offers luxury accommodation in spacious bedrooms and will be following all HSE recommendations They look forward to welcoming all their guests back. Knockeven House is steeped in history and heritage that you will find it easy to step back in time and savour the experiences of bygone eras.
Tailor made for peace and quiet, this 1840 period house offers respite from the hectic pace of everyday life, in the finest traditions of Country House hospitality.
At Knockeven house Bed & Breakfast, splendid oversized guestrooms are individually decorated with impeccable taste and style. Gracious living is evident throughout with authentic fabrics and exquisitely detailed furniture.
Escape the world at Robin Hill Sanctuary
Everyone is in dire need of a holiday, now more than ever! Although the strange times we’re living in for the last few months forced us to rest, nothing compares to a trip away from home. Following the government guidelines Robin Hill Sanctuary 19th century guest house will be reopening on July 20th, or maybe sooner and we can not wait to have our guests back !
Robin Hill house is a place like no other , nestled in magnificent gardens, overlooking Cork Harbour. This former rectory is only a ten min walk from Cobh town centre and all its attractions, and a 25 min train journey to Cork. Robin Hill House offers all the modern amenities with the charm of the Victorian era.
Their tea rooms serve the most renowned afternoon tea in the Cork area. Homemade with locally sourced organic produce, it is truly an exquisite culinary experience.
This year avoid the stress and anxiety associated with traveling abroad, (re)discover the beauty of Ireland, the wonderful beaches in East Cork and Cork Harbour…all easily accessible from Cobh.
Retreat to the beach with Garryvoe Beach Homes
Garryvoe Beach Homes are new contemporary and modern self-catering accommodation in Garryvoe right on the Atlantic Ocean. Its only a two minute walk to the blue flag beach.
Garryvoe is located in picturesque East Cork. It offers an unspoilt sandy 5 km beach, with incomparably beautiful views of Ballycotton Bay and its lighthouse. Just a 10 minute drive to Ballymaloe Cookery School, Castlemartyr Resort and Golf Club, Ballycotton Fishing Village; all of which have an abundance of famous restaurants such as Ballymaloe House
Tourism accounts for one in every ten jobs in Ireland, so now is the best time to enjoy what’s on offer locally and enjoy your perfect staycation staying local during the COVID-19 pandemic. Share your Ring of Cork staycation images with #rocstaycation #ringofcork on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Look out for our next post about What to do while on your staycation, and where to eat on your staycation.
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