Cork: Windsor House (Guesthouse)

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Address: 54-55 maccurtain street, Cork city , Cork , Ireland
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Lonely Planet review

Within an 1830s hotel, the rambling Windsor House has 21 faded, mismatched and wonderfully atmospheric old rooms, in a fantastic location right on MacCurtain St. All but two are en suite, making them among Cork's best bargains.

It's a fair climb up the stairs to the upper level rooms, but once you're inside you're rewarded with TVs, kettles to brew up tea or coffee, and in-room fridges to stash the beers, wine and snacks that you can buy at reception around the clock. Bathrooms are big and exceedingly clean. All kinds of Irish breakfasts are served between 08:00 and 10:00 (a decadent 11:00 on weekends) in an equally atmospheric once-grand salon with paisley carpets, floral wallpaper, and mural-size paintings of the Irish countryside: choose from the Full Irish (including white pudding), the Healthy Irish (continental fare that, true to its name, is the antithesis of the Full Irish), the Light Irish (sans the pudding), the Vegetarian Irish (veggie sausages) or the Delicate Irish (smoked salmon). You can check your email, for free, downstairs. Staff are fun and friendly.