We have recently spent a four night duration at the Hotel Victoria (the Bates Motel) in the centre of Cork. We were pleased with the location of the Hotel surrounding by bars and eateries absolutely perfect. However we did not anticipate groups of Stags and Hens running riot in the early hours of the morning through the corridors of the Victoria. We were disappointed in the general cleanliness of the room and the overwhelming stench of stale cigarette smoke permeating all corners even when the window was open all day and all night. We were made very welcome by the Receptionist (not Irish) who could not do enough for us. The Reception area always smelt of last week's school dinners which was quite unpleasant. The breakfast too was a little disappointing as we were expecting an Irish breakfast with all the trimmings but we were greeted with two miniscule sausages, a sickly looking rasher of bacon and a hard fried egg. We had to ask for soda bread specifically. In conclusion we will not be staying at the Victoria again despite it's central location. The Hotel entrance is not suitable for the elderly or infirm as it has a long flight of stairs at each entrance.

The location of this hotel was great. In spite of being right in city center, the hotel was protected from the noises from the streets. The room was small and the tv didn't work, but we were not on vacation to watch tv. The staff was friendly and the breakfast was tasty. If you are looking for an affordable stay in walking distance to the local pubs, then this is your place.

I was told that there were only a few steps from street to hotel, there was at least a dozen. As I use a mobility walking aid it was almost impossible. We were kept awake all night with drunken louts trying to kick the doors in! They do not mention in their web pages that stag/hen parties are allowed.We were told on our way to the airport that it is the only hotel in Cork centre that allow stag/hen parties.Our bathroom was a disgrace, tiles had been cut from below the sink and not replaced, the shower-head was so encrusted that it was a possible danger for Legionaires Disease. Staff were friendly and restuarant ok. But I would not
advise anybody wanting a quiet break to stay here. I am only grateful that we only stayed for one night. All in all it is a very shabby hotel and certainly not worth the cost. Our room bore no resemblance to the bedroom shown on their web site.

I stayed at the Victoria Hotel in Jan 2007 on a short break with my mum. The hotel is very well located, being right on the main street. We nearly walked past it in fact as the entrance is in between some shops. We didn't have any problem with noise from the street, although our room(s) were at the back of the hotel.
The room on the first night... the hot water and radiator in the bathroom didn't work, and it was cold weather when we were there! The sink also had a big crack in it. So, we moved rooms for the remainder of our stay. The room (right at the back of the hotel) was more spacious than the first room, but absolutely STUNK of cigarette smoke. Although there seems to be a general no smoking policy in the hotel, the smoke in our room seems to have been embedded in the walls and furniture, and the smell wouldn't go no matter how long we left the window open. Seeing as neither of us smoke, that was a bit annoying. Also, although not the hotel's fault particularly, we were woken up in the middle of the night on a few occasions as the room above us was full of guys on a stag weekend.
The food at breakfast was nice, as was the food and service at the bar within the hotel. The staff were friendly enough, some more than others.
Overall, a great location in the centre of Cork, and I would advise a stay here if you are on a budget as the price for B&B was reasonable.