Give your loved one the movie star treatment by planning the ultimate romantic break at Cork’s iconic and elegant Imperial Hotel. Perfect to beat the Winter Blues, celebrate Valentine’s Day or as an escape in the run up to Easter.
This year the award winning hotel’s creative team have taken inspiration from the Hollywood film ‘Moulin Rouge’ which explores themes of love and desire set against the colourful backdrop and music of the Montmartre Quarter of Paris in 1900. With a history of its own spanning back over 200 years and a tradition of hosting celebrity and even royal guests The Imperial Hotel has a lot of practice in channelling periods of high glamour.
Extravagant moulin-rouge inspired displays, burlesque themed cocktails, rose flourished spa treatments, and romantic afternoon tea handcrafted by the hotel’s talented pastry chefs will set hearts racing from the end of January, through to Valentine’s Day and lasting until Easter.
Couples will love the decadent photo ops at The Imperial Hotel to capture their special weekend away. On arrival lovebirds will be greeted with a wow factor as red roses and feathers cascade from the high vaulted ceiling above, accentuating the crystal chandelier to create old Hollywood glamour. This decor will be accented at ground level by displays of bird cages, embellished with draped fabric, roses and pearls to complete the decadent look. It has taken several days for Sandra Looney from To Have and To Hold to transform the hotel’s iconic lobby and create a magnificent first impression for guests to revel in. While local vintage boutique Miss Daisy Blue provided garments for a stylish photo shoot to launch the creative offering!
The Imperial Hotel’s ‘Moulin Rouge’ romantic getaway for couples is all about loved-up luxury and includes a stylish overnight stay in a beautiful room and an indulgent-themed afternoon tea for two to enjoy. You’ll also receive two signature cocktails inspired by the bright and bold colours and flavours of the cabaret era to enjoy in Sketch. In the morning you’ll be both greeted with a delicious a la carte breakfast to set you up for any romantic plans or Cork City explorations on the day. This package starts from €153 per person.The Signature Moulin Rouge themed afternoon tea features sweet delights named after characters in the film including: ‘Lady Marmalade’: Chocolate Custard Sponge Cake, Orange Mousse and ‘Satine’ Raspberry Shortbread Cookie ‘The Moulin Rouge’ Raspberry Sponge, Chocolate Mousse, Coconut Jelly, with a Coconut Brittle. ‘Nini’ (named after a dancer in the film) Almond Cake, Berry Fruit Mousse, Raspberry Fruit Confit, a ‘Lady Marmalade’: Chocolate Custard Sponge Cake, Orange Mousse and ‘Satine’ Raspberry Shortbread Cookie and a Mini-Scone, Raspberry & White Chocolate. On the savoury side there is a delicious selection including Coronation Chicken on Mini Brioche Bun, English Market Smoked Salmon Mousse with Black Caviar, Fresh Dill and Buckley’s Brown Bread, a Reuben Sandwich: Pastrami Beef, Smoked Gubbeen Cheese, Pico De Gallo, Wild Rocket, Ballymaloe Relish and a Macroom Baby Mozzarella Caprese Bite. All in all it promises to be a mouth watering experience showcasing locally sourced ingredients expertly prepared.
The Imperial Hotel proudly boasts a team of expert mixologists who revel in designing creative cocktails that look as good as they taste. Inspired by the Moulin Rouge theme they have created 4 new signature cocktails: ‘Clichy’ featuring vanilla vodka, butterfly tea, peach-schnapps with simple syrup, lemon juice and egg white garnished with rosemary, ‘Mademoiselle Marmalade’ featuring Hyde single malt whiskey, passion fruit and simple syrup, marmalade, egg white and garnished with a slice of dehydrated orange, ‘La Fee’ featuring Midori melon liqueur, Limoncello, lime juice, simple syrup, 2 sprays of absinthe and garnished with 2 blueberries on a cocktail stick and finally the ‘Harold Zidler’ made with raspberry syrup, coconut syrup, lime juice and Malibu garnished with coconut flakes.
You can opt to elevate your stay even further and include some relaxation and rejuvenation with the Escape to Moulin Rouge spa treatment package. Why not book in to spend quality time together relaxing with a couples treatment in Escape Spa at The Imperial Hotel. You’ll begin with 60 minutes in the Vitality Suite which features a hydrotherapy pool, aroma steam room and salt chamber. Then the expert therapists will apply a soothing skin-specific facial using rose facial oil extracted from the petals of various types of roses. The ritual will be completed with an Elemis moisturiser with rose extract, leaving the skin silky smooth.
Of course, Cork’s Grand Dame of romance has unrivalled love credentials as it has been hosting first dates, engagements, weddings and honeymoons for more than 200 years. Continuing in this tradition, The Imperial Hotel is pulling out all the stops when it comes to romantic gestures, providing the services of their team to help grant guests every romantic wish during their stay. Whether you are planning the ultimate romantic date weekend, an anniversary celebration, or a surprise proposal, the Guest Experience Manager will be on hand to provide local insights, advice and unparalleled expertise.
See www.imperialhotelcork.com/moulinrouge for more, email reservations@imperialhotelcork.ie or call 021 4274040. Or if you would like some assistance with planning a special proposal simply email events@imperialhotelcork.ie.
