Welcome: Sarah Wallace-Condon, reception manager is ready to welcome guests to the Maldron Hotel, South Mall, which opened this morning. Picture: Larry Cummins

Maldron Hotel South Mall opens its doors

AFTER months of construction and recruitment and a hectic few days of final preparation, the Maldron Hotel South Mall opens its doors tomorrow.

“We’re delighted to be opening before Christmas and are excited to welcome the people of Cork and further afield to our lovely new hotel,”General Manager Robert McCarthy said.

View of City Hall and Union Quay from a South Mall facing bedroom at The Maldron Hotel. Pic; Larry Cummins

“The hotel is the first to open in Cork City in 14 years so there is huge excitement.”

The Maldron Hotel South Mall has entrances on both Parnell Place and the Mall and becomes the second-biggest hotel in the city, with more than 160 rooms.

It is the fourth Cork hotel in the Dalata Hotel Group, joining the Maldron Hotel Shandon, Clayton Silver Springs and Clayton Cork City.

The inclement weathered led to them delaying the opening from Tuesday until Friday and Marketing Manager Donna Mannion said staff were keen to get started.

“Sean O’Mahony HR Manager has been busy getting the staff trained and ready for opening,” she said. “They have been training in our sister properties in the city. It's great that we can all work together.

Hotel reception staff John Delea; Katie Clancy, supervisor and (front right) Sarah Wallace-Condon, reception manager at the Maldron Hotel, South Mall. Pic; Larry Cummins

“The staff are very excited to open the door and greet our guests.” The new hotel already has a staff of 70 but this will rise to 140 when it is fully operational.

In addition to two restaurants, a bar and a cafe, the hotel will also have six conference rooms available. Mr McCarthy said there has been a lot of interest from corporate clients in Cork and the surrounds for the new year.