In Vicky Clifford Sanghad’s article “Fall Into Luxury: 6 Brilliant UK Hotels Where Autumn Actually Makes Sense” published by IDEAL Magazine, journalist Vicky Clifford Sanghad rounds up “six hotels in the UK and Ireland that don’t just tolerate autumn – they positively revel in it.”​

​”The Woodland Experience At The Montenotte, Cork
Ideal for an urban autumnal log cabin escape in the heart of the city…

Autumnal log cabin escapes – it’s something many of us dream of. But if you don’t drive, you’re often out of luck. Enter The Montenotte, which has done something rather clever with their new Woodland Suites. Here’s the brilliant part: these log cabins are nestled at the foot of the hotel in Cork, not in the middle of nowhere. Urban convenience meets woodland retreat… What’s not to love here?

The design world is taking notice too, with the Montenotte winning the European award in the ‘Lodges, Cabins’ category at AHEAD Europe 2024. The judging panel called it “a great example of expanding an urban property to offer a luxurious secluded experience”, and we couldn’t agree more.

Come autumn, the landscape around these cabins transforms into a breathtaking spectacle. From your suite, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the River Lee, Cork Harbour, Cork City, and the surrounding woodlands – a perfect marriage of city and nature. The suites themselves are thoughtfully designed with Italian travertine and oak timber flooring, plus spacious bathrooms featuring free-standing baths positioned to make the most of those scenic autumn vistas.

The goal here is simple: reconnect guests with nature without them having to leave the city. The whole setup feels sophisticated yet grounded, and there’s an environmental conscience too; for every Woodland Suite stay, a tree is planted on Ireland’s west coast through their partnership with Hometree. The River Suites even feature living sedum roofs that create habitats for local wildlife.

One unexpected bonus of staying here in autumn? The food. Cork is widely considered Ireland’s gastronomic capital, with over a dozen restaurants listed in the MICHELIN Guide.

As temperatures drop, autumn delivers some of the year’s finest seafood. The chilled waters produce exceptionally firm, flavourful fish – from locally caught hake and haddock to delicate plaice, lemon sole, black sole, and meaty monkfish. To taste it at its best, head to our favourite seafood restaurant nearby, Max’s, for dinner, then return to the hotel’s Panorama bar (it’s all in the name) for drinks with sweeping city views. Or, just head back to your log cabin and take in the scenery with a glass of fizz in hand.

A final activity for those chilly autumnal evenings? There’s an on-site cinema, which is perfect for cosy nights in. Rather ideal, don’t you think?”

Vicky Clifford Sanghad | IDEAL Magazine | September 2025