Hello. Hoping to book a hotel in Cobh this week for next March. Looking at the Commodore Hotel and The Water's Edge. Both on same street and both have mixed reviews. Any comments or suggestions?
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1089 posts
Having just been to Cobh in March 2025, my suggestion is to stay in Cork and do it as a day trip. There's not much going on there in the off season.
Posted by
OP
Puyallup, Washington
12 posts
We like the idea of quiet off season and staying outside of the city. I will be driving for the first day leaving Dublin and the bigger city makes me nervous to drive in as learning road and rules. We plan on staying in Cobh and taking the train to Cork for a day and return hotel by the water in the evening.
Where would you stay in Cork?
Posted by
TX, USA
5412 posts
I am going to second what G3rryCee said. Edit to add: I was there in June and stayed in an apartment by the harbor. In the evenings it was really quiet and I even had a bit of difficulty finding a place for dinner. In Cork, you would,have a wide variety of restaurants.
I’m no help on where to stay - I was there during summer break and stayed at University Hall - UCC Summer Beds. I would absolutely stay again but it was a short bus ride from the center.
Posted by
Chicago
962 posts
Perhaps this is of no help, but if you want quiet, there are lots of options away from
any city. Or Kinsale as another small town that has some things going on of its own.
Posted by
California Central Coast 🐚
298 posts
I've not been to Cobh but we spent 2 nights in Kinsale and 1 in Cork. There is tons to do in Cork and lots of good food (Paradiso!) but Kinsale is quiet, coastal and has plenty of good food options. We stayed at a B&B called The White Lady. More like a cross between a B&B and a hotel but it was fine.
Posted by
OP
Puyallup, Washington
12 posts
Thank you. I've booked the Commodore Hotel in Cobh.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1089 posts
Cork is a very small city. It has a population of fewer than 225,000, with maybe 300,000 in the metro area (vs Dublin's 600,000 with 1.2mil metro). It feels even smaller. I'm going to assume Cork is not your first stop out of Dublin. If it is, you should consider taking the train and picking up your car when you are ready to leave Cork. You can get to Cobh by train, as you know, and to Blarney by bus.
In Cork I recommend staying north of the river. Here is a recent post: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/ireland/cork-accommodations