The Imperial Hotel Cork
Certification: Green Hospitality Eco-Label, Fifty Shades Greener Gold (first Cork hospitality business to achieve this level) County: Cork (South Mall, Cork City Centre) Type: 4-star historic hotel
The Imperial Hotel Cork holds Green Hospitality Programme Eco-Label certification and was the first Cork hospitality business to achieve the Fifty Shades Greener Gold Award. The hotel invested close to €400,000 in sustainability infrastructure over the four years preceding its Gold certification, making it one of the more heavily invested eco programmes among Irish city centre hotels.
The Certifications
Green Hospitality Eco-Label: The baseline level of the Green Hospitality Programme, requiring documented environmental management systems across energy, water, and waste. It is the entry-level certification within the programme and distinguishes the property from non-certified hotels.
Fifty Shades Greener Gold: Fifty Shades Greener is an environmental programme run in partnership with Cork College of FET-Bishopstown Campus, focused specifically on the carbon reduction of businesses in tourism and hospitality. Gold Award requires demonstrated CO2 reduction against a baseline year. The Imperial was commended specifically for reducing its total CO2/kg/person/day by 21% against its 2019 baseline by 2022, sourcing 67% of food locally, and reducing meat and food waste on menus. It is the first Cork hospitality venue to achieve this level.
Sustainability Investment
The Imperial’s approach involved direct capital investment rather than primarily operational changes. Near €400,000 was committed to renewable energy switching, LED lighting upgrades across the property, water reduction systems, energy monitoring infrastructure, and supply chain redesign toward local producers. The Fifty Shades Greener Gold certification verifies the carbon reduction outcomes of this investment.
The Hotel
The Imperial Hotel Cork is a 4-star property on South Mall in the centre of Cork city, trading since 1813 and one of Ireland’s oldest continuously operating hotels. It is a landmark property in Cork’s principal commercial street, within walking distance of the English Market, Cork Opera House, and the city’s main transport links.
Practical Information
Location: South Mall, Cork City Centre Distance from Cork Airport: 8km Distance from Cork Kent Railway Station: 10-minute walk Booking: Book via Booking.com or directly
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