The Montenotte Hotel sets a new design standard for the island of Ireland

Posted in News on 23 April, 2024

As the island of Ireland’s most luxurious outdoor accommodation, The Woodland Suite Experience at The Montenotte blends simplistic details and timeless style with the surrounding landscape to set a new design standard.

The Montenotte’s Woodland Suite Experience has been consciously and lovingly designed to evoke a sense of restorative relaxation, tactility and tranquillity, inspired by the beauty of the Irish landscape.

The Woodland Suites have been inspired by the beauty of the Irish landscape.

As the island of Ireland’s most luxurious outdoor accommodation, The Woodland Suite Experience at The Montenotte blends simplistic details and timeless style with the surrounding landscape to set a new design standard. Passionately curated together with The Montenotte’s Owners Jo and Frankie Whelehan, renowned Irish Architectural firm Henry J Lyons and award-winning, Dublin-based interior design house Kingston Lafferty Design, The Woodland Suite Experience showcases an inherent luxury and understated elegance. Consciously developed, the experience evokes a sense of utter relaxation and serenity by integrating seamlessly within the woodlands of The Montenotte, high above Cork City and the harbour below.

River Suite

Launching in August 2024, The Woodland Suite Experience comprises nine new Woodland Suites and River Suites, as well as a private residents-only Clubhouse located within the natural landscape of The Montenotte’s grounds. Designed as unique cocoons and evocative spaces, The Woodland Suite Experience has been created with nature at its very core, and merges unique architectural elements with the surrounding woodlands to create a harmonious and diverse composition. Taking inspiration from the landscape, Cork City and original, pre-existing local features, The Woodland Suite Experience prioritises a minimalist and low-impact design, aiming to reconnect with nature whilst offering guests an unparalleled experience.

Jo and Frankie Whelehan, Owners of The Montenotte, comment: “We are thrilled to have curated The Woodland Suite Experience to provide something truly distinctive and new here in Ireland. As the first of its kind, we are incredibly proud to invite our guests to wallow in the unique architecture crafted by leading architects Henry J Lyons and the interior designs of Kingston Lafferty, seamlessly blending the landscape and captivating guests with beautiful design and breathtaking views. Every detail promises a one-of-a-kind experience.”  

Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism and Japanese influences, The Woodland Suite Experience is set to emphasise cleanliness, style and functionality with each River Suite and Woodland Suite showcasing a seamless flow and connectivity between spaces. Expansive private terraces look over the landscape, showcasing unobstructed views of the treetops and city below. Interior features include luxurious free-standing baths, expansive bathrooms with an oversized split face travertine bathroom sink that appears to be carved from the wall, as well as comfortable king-sized beds and a sculptural bronzed burnt-red Japanese maple which symbolises the woodlands surrounding The Montenotte.

The River Suite Wetbar

Ensuring guests have generous space and comfort, the four River Suites are 51 square metres in size with a 11 square metre private balcony, while the five Woodland Suites are 35 square metres in size with a 14 square metre balcony. The private Clubhouse provides a spacious gathering area for guests, spanning 77 square metres with an 8 square metre balcony.

Each suite uses a restrained material palette consisting of natural elements including American oak, luxurious Italian travertine floors and poured concrete, contrasted against seamless bronze mirrored walls to emphasise a sensation of calmness, harmony and simplicity. Adding to this, the Woodland Suites and River Suites’ use of natural light from the expansive windows, as well as custom rice paper screens, will be used to diffuse daylight into a soft glow. A warm, natural colour palette and a myriad of textures accompany these design details to maximise the comfort of guests whilst remaining sympathetic to the surrounding design elements.

Left and middle: River Suite Bathrooms. Right: The River Suite Wetbar

John Burgoyne and Holly Lagerqvist, Architects at Henry J Lyons, says: “Taking inspiration from the site itself, we selected designs that suited the natural surroundings, prioritising minimalist, and low-impact designs, aimed at reconnecting the suites with nature and regenerating the woodland. A key aspect of the architecture design process involved preserving and celebrating the existing features of the site including retaining elements such as old walls and steps, capturing the essence of the site’s former history and character.”

Roisin Lafferty, Founder of Kingston Lafferty Design, states: “Our main goal was to establish a sense of simplicity and avant-garde luxury within the interiors of the Clubhouse, and Woodland Suites and River Suites. The design draws influence from traditional Japanese design principles as well as the Irish landscape, to foster mindfulness and tranquillity. Each suite incorporates a tree, mirroring the calming presence of nature and creating an atmosphere where the only ‘noise’ is that of the natural elements.”

The Clubhouse emphasises the flexibility and privacy for guests to indulge in the memorable hospitality experience and breathtaking views.

The exclusive on-site Clubhouse continues this connection with nature and sense of journey within the shared space. Deeper tones of smoked oak, concrete and red travertine floors are contrasted with floor-to-ceiling windows and polished plaster to mirror the natural imperfections in the surrounding landscape. Boasting a vast outdoor terrace, a variety of seating from comfortable sofas and armchairs to state-of-the-art bar stools, and a central curved red travertine bar, the Clubhouse emphasises the flexibility and privacy for guests to indulge in the memorable hospitality experience and breathtaking views.

Continuing The Montenotte’s commitment to sustainability, The Woodland Suite Experience features a variety of modern technology and conscious design details. Embracing eco-conscious practices, the architecture employs a Japanese-inspired technique for preserving wind through baked timber, ensuring a natural and environmentally friendly approach. Each of the Woodland Suites and River Suites have been designed to achieve near zero energy building status, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions through utilising air to water heat pumps as well as eco-friendly insulation. The River suites’ living sedum roofs have been incorporated to blend the architecture with the surroundings, as well as provide a habitat for wildlife and vegetation. Throughout the build, great care has been taken to preserve existing features such as local stones, steps and walls, which were either retained or repurposed, further enhancing the sustainable approach of The Woodland Suite Experience.

https://www.themontenottehotel.com/woodlands-suites/ 

About The Montenotte
The Montenotte is an independent, privately-owned, urban resort situated in the heart of Cork. Pioneers of crafting rebellious elegance, The Montenotte invites guests to run wild and be free, where luxurious charm meets a curiosity-driven wonderland of experiences. Built within a former 18th Century residence of a Merchant Prince, The Montenotte has a rich heritage that has been preserved throughout the years and updated with a contemporary twist, decadent detailing, and a luxurious finish. Offering guests unrivalled views of the city and harbour, The Montenotte strives to continuously innovate to create memorable experiences for guests, to surprise and savour around every corner; offering all guests the luxury to rest and play, enjoying a truly urban escape experience. This summer, The Montenotte is set to launch a brand-new luxurious accommodation offering, The Woodland Suite Experience. The first of its kind in Ireland, the Woodland Suites and River Suites will enhance a sense of exploration and experience, evoking harmony, and calmness. The Montenotte is a proud member of the prestigious, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).

https://www.themontenottehotel.com/