The Montenotte, Cork’s finest urban resort and one of the country’s leading hotels, has today unveiled The Woodland Suite Experience – the first of its kind to open in Ireland. Launching in August 2024, the nine new Woodland Suites and River Suites, as well as an exclusive residents-only Clubhouse, will set a new standard for luxury accommodation in Ireland.
Each remarkable suite is nestled within the natural beauty of the Irish landscape and elegantly perched on the hilltop, with stunning views overlooking the River Lee, Cork Harbour, and Cork City. Inviting exploration and wanderlust, the new suites will add to The Montenotte’s offering as a truly memorable urban escape, a wonderland of experiences for guests wanting to live a luxurious life to the full.
With an investment of over €7.5 million, The Montenotte’s Woodland Suite Experience are set to be Ireland’s most luxurious outdoor suites. Complete with Italian travertine and oak timber floor finishes, expansive and beautifully detailed bathrooms, view focused free-standing baths, exquisite furnishings throughout, and exclusive private terraces, guests of The Woodland Suite Experience will be invited to unwind and indulge in the utmost luxury and inherent elegance.
Each accommodation style provides a unique cocoon and evocative space, emanating restorative wanderlust, understated luxury, adventure, and bespoke authenticity. Adding to these carefully curated and designed suites, the private Clubhouse serves as the exclusive gathering spot for guests of the Woodland Suite Experience to immerse themselves in culinary experiences, unwind with a good book or savour a coffee or crafted cocktail in elegance and complete privacy.
Lovingly designed by Frankie and Jo Whelehan, Owners of The Montenotte, together with renowned Irish Architecture practice, Henry J Lyons and Dublin-based, award-winning Interior Design House Kingston Lafferty Design, The Woodland Suite Experience will epitomise a sense of escape for guests of The Montenotte and integrate seamlessly within the surrounding landscape. The design of the suites will encourage guests to immerse themselves in nature and take in the surrounding woodlands, just moments away from the vibrancy and indulgent offerings of The Montenotte and Cork City.
Frankie & Jo Whelehan, Owners of The Montenotte commented: “With the highly anticipated launch of the Clubhouse, the Woodland Suites and River Suites, we have put much thought into crafting this new haven and consideration on how we want to contribute to our local community as we move forward as not just an urban resort, but an urban resort with integrity.”
Frits Potgieter, General Manager of The Montenotte, says: “The Woodland Suite Experience is an important milestone in our journey to create a truly unique Urban Resort in Ireland that transcends the ordinary and invites our guests to step into a world of rebellious luxury at The Montenotte. Here, the concept of running wild is not only encouraged but very much celebrated. With the launch of the Woodland Suites and River Suites we aim to cultivate an environment where guests are not just pampered but also inspired to embrace a true sense of wanderlust, take in the incredible natural surroundings, magnificent views, and indulge in a myriad of curated experiences available throughout their stay. We look forward to welcoming guests to reconnect with themselves and experience a complete sense of escapism at our urban resort.”
The restrained material palette includes American oak joinery and natural silver travertine floors, contrasted with seamless bronze mirrored wall finishes. The surrounding walls reflect delicate putty tones with earthy accents and custom rice paper screens are used to diffuse daylight into a soft glow. The Woodland Suite Experience’s design embodies a dreamlike fusion of elevated minimalism personified with a nod to Scandinavian architecture and the interior artistry of Japanese design principles to fuel a modern, simplified yet chic ethos. Adding to this, wool fabrics, warm natural colours, and the use of natural light will maximise the comfort and elegance for guests whilst creating an intimate and romantic mood encompassed by nature’s surroundings.
To further align with The Montenotte’s conscious commitment, the River Suites will feature living sedum roofs allowing the architecture to blend into the surrounding woodlands, as well as offer a habitat for wildlife and vegetation. In celebration of The Woodland Suite Experience, The Montenotte has partnered with Irish charity Hometree to launch the ‘Nights-for-Nature’ tree planting initiative. Hometree’s core value is centred around conserving the native woodlands in Ireland and so for every stay at The Woodland Suite Experience, a tree will be planted in honour of the guests to support the conservation of Ireland’s woodlands, promote land regeneration, and enhance biodiversity.
In every River Suite and Woodland Suite, guests will discover a 2-meter Red Japanese Maple, constructed using recycled natural wood trunks and branches, sourced locally from carefully managed and sustainable woodlands and designed to create a connection not only to our guests’ personal rejuvenation but also to the symbolism of the Nights-for-Nature initiative and the enchanting woodlands surrounding The Montenotte. This design feature serves as a testament to the contribution guests make towards a better Ireland, blending adventure with purpose.
Frankie & Jo Whelehan, Owners of The Montenotte, adds: “For every stay at the Woodland and River Suites, we proudly pledge to plant a tree in honour of our valued guests with our Nights-for-Nature initiative. It is our commitment to intertwine luxury with a socially conscious tomorrow, inspiring not just stays, but a collective step towards a more inspiring future.”
Continuing this seamless integration with the natural surroundings, the four River Suites cantilever elegantly across the varying gradient of the topography, linear in design and focus on showcasing the panoramic views of the River Lee and Cork City below. Nestled in the woodland and floating dreamily amongst the trees, the five Woodland Suites’ distinctive octagon shapes are a symbolic architectural theme representing regeneration, rebirth, and renewal, providing minimal impact to the landscape and leaving guests with picturesque views of the woodlands.
Detail-oriented simplicity defines The Woodland Suite Experience, creating a connection to the woodland surroundings and focusing on the breathtaking natural environment that overlooks the River Lee and Cork Harbour below. The Woodland Suites and River Suites offer a blend of natural, timeless earthy colours for grounded warmth. Each element from layout, functionality, to design is all deeply considered to intuitively cater to guests’ needs and desires.
Curated experiences are also set to be available to guests of The Woodland Suite Experience including private spa treatments on the expansive terraces overlooking the river, outdoor yoga and customised itineraries tailored to suit personal preferences and fuel immersive pleasures.
