Cork’s Imperial Hotel has been transformed into a chocolate lovers paradise ahead of Easter
Treat some ‘bunny’ to an elegant Willy Wonka inspired Afternoon Tea at Lafayettes or enjoy a chocolate body treatment and massage at Escape Spa!
If you are looking to treat some ‘bunny’ special this Easter then hop no further than The Imperial Hotel in the heart of Cork City. The luxury boutique hotel has once again thought outside of the Easter basket when dreaming up fun and indulgent treats to eggcite locals and visitors alike! The Grand Dame of Cork, as it’s known, has adopted a ‘Grace and the Chocolate Factory’ theme for this eggcellent season taking inspiration from the Roald Dahl classic novel, Tim Burton movie and their famous past guest, Princess Grace of Monaco.
Photographer: Sanja Orlovic
Giant colourful sweets, chocolate bon-bons, and golden tickets will hang from the impressive lobby’s high vaulted ceilings, setting the chocolate factory scene on arrival at the historic South Mall hotel. They have also added a vintage sweet cart, a whimsical photo wall, and a Grace and the Chocolate Factory Gateway in order to to create perfect insta moments for chocolate lovers and those looking to celebrate Easter in style.
The menus have also been given a chocolate factory overhaul. The beautiful and elegant Lafayettes is serving a mouth-watering ‘Grace and the Chocolate Factory’ Afternoon Tea that would put Willy Wonka to shame. Taking inspiration from the Tim Burton movie, the creative team of pastry chefs collaborated with the hotel’s artist in resident Ethan Desmond (‘From The Sketch Up’) to create a three tiered story. It features decadent delights including a macaroon with a cowboy hat for Mike TV, a blueberry choux (for Violet), a golden egg (for Veruca Salt), and Grace mini chocolate bar (for Augustus Gloop), for €35.
The Imperial’s sustainable restaurant Thyme at Seventy-Six on the Mall, which sources ingredients from the nearby English Market and local suppliers, has also added an indulgent Ferrero Rocher Choux to the menu. And you can indulge further during your visit with a chocolate inspired cocktail from Sketch, the hotel’s new sustainable cocktail bar.
Photographer: Sanja Orlovic
Model: Leah Kelly
The Imperial’s Escape Spa has devised the ultimate treat for chocoholics – a ‘ChocoCocoon’ treatment. Chocolate is known for its anti-ageing, toning and softening qualities so this will certainly put an extra bounce in your step. The heavenly chocolate scented body treatment includes the application of cocoa-rich formulas, exfoliation with a dry brushing technique and chocolate infused essential oils, and a full body massage with melting heated cocoa lotion, and a relaxing head and foot massage. You’ll even be treated to a chocolate bar in the relaxation room! This treatment is an optional extra lasting 1hr15min for €139 per person.
See imperialhotelcork.com/graceandthechocolatefactory for more, email reservations@imperialhotelcork.ie or call 021 4274040 (Easter treats and treatments will be available for booking from 1st April)