Long spa weekend (and weekday) getaway inspiration
From bank holidays to mid-week mini breaks, give yourself a getaway to look forward to this year with extra rest and relaxation.
Read full postEmerald green vistas, enchanting history and five-star spa service, Ireland’s spas have it all when it comes to a modern wellness experience. Here are some of Spabreaks.com’s bucket list spas in Ireland and Northern Ireland…
Very much the jewel in Ireland’s spa crown at the moment, Galgorm has everything from innovative spa packages to a beautiful location and exceptional food. The River Maine flows through the estate to really set the scene, and making relaxation in the River House which overhangs the water a delightful experience. The spa embraces its Celtic heritage with offerings such as the Beltane Experience where you relax around a sunken fire available, and the hotel does everything to five-star standards.
"Amazing break! The staff were so helpful and friendly. We were treated like VIPs! I had a problem with my locker key which was quickly sorted out. Fantastic setting! Can’t wait to go back."
A luxurious retreat 15-minutes from central Dublin, Castleknock Hotel is surrounded by nature and offers a sense of restfulness amidst the urban buzz. Complete with its own golf course, multiple bars and restaurants and four-star status, it has a purpose-built spa which opened in 2017. The expansive environment is equipped with an 18-metre swimming pool with a separate children’s pool, a 1000 sq. ft. gym, a 600 sq. ft. aerobics suite, a sauna, steam room and a spa Jacuzzi all with views of the grounds. Meanwhile, their treatments range from holistic to innovative in a complete wellbeing experience.
"Had the best time at castleknock spa. We picked the relaxation to tea package. Tailored facials and massages for me and my friends. Amazing facilities and the afternoon tea was delicious. Staff and facilities were 10/10."
A magical modern spa retreat that embraces and incorporates the beauty of the natural world outside, Aghadoe Heights is an idyllic contemporary wellness retreat. Surrounded by the magnificent Lough Leane and the Kerry countryside, the five-star hotel and spa is dedicated to a world of luxury wellness. The spa is a particularly special feature, incorporating 10 treatment rooms, a couple’s suite, a relaxation area and a thermal suite which includes a laconium, a hammam, a rock sauna, and an aroma grotto. They use the acclaimed Irish product house VOYA for their treatments, which focus on holistic wellbeing and pampering.
A five-star hotel with an award-winning spa, The Heritage Killenard draws on the Celtic heritage of the surrounding area to inspire a sense of wellness. The luxury retreat Ofers everything from exceptional afternoon teas to seaweed spa treatments from VOYA. They have 16 treatment rooms making it a great destination for a group of friends seeking a sophisticated getaway. Then, finish the day with a lavish meal over a five course set menu and an excellent wine list.
A sanctuary of a hotel and spa, Lough Rea Hotel is just two hours from Dublin and offers a true sense of luxury escapism. The hotel offers quirky and contemporary design, but it's the spa that really sets it apart. The wellness experience hinges on an adult-only thermal suite, which features an aromatherapy sauna room, steam room, tropical experience shower, ice fountain, soothing foot spa, Jacuzzi, sanarium, rasul and both light and dark relaxation rooms. Treatments are from the beautiful Yon Ka, ranging from hot stone therapy to reflexology so you can completely relax and unwind.
"The spa was fantastic. Beautiful relaxation rooms overlooking the lough. Jean was absolutely fantastic, highly recommended."
The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat is a wonderfully unique hotel and spa experience, brought to you by the people behind the famous Galgorm spa destination. Just 20-minutes from Belfast, the hotel combines Scandi-inspired style and individual charm, peppered with quirky style and home comforts. Food is a delicious and convivial experience with Italian-American influences. Meanwhile, the spa is a haven of glamorous bohemian wellbeing, offering Balearic vibes and a show-stopping Roman bath surrounded by palms, columns, cosy heated loungers and relaxing cabanas.
Enjoying views across the majestic Mountains of Mourne and windswept dunes of County Down, The Spa at Slieve Donard was named ‘Spa of The Year’ for 2024 by Ulster Tatler, and is a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. It has two floors of wellbeing facilities and a menu of spa treatments from ESPA, that tap into advance techniques and ancient therapies, delivering a world-class spa experience. It's a beautiful destination for a romantic getaway, time with friends, or to yourself.
"Excellent spa hotel with top level service and food. Not to mention the beautiful mourne mountains as a back drop and the ocean at your feet. Highly recommend"
An award-winning spa which fits with the luxurious and exclusive resort it sits in, this is an experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. The spa has 10 Thai inspired treatment rooms and therapies are delivered by a mixture of Western and Thai therapists. Choose from traditional Thai massages and a selection of facials and body treatments, but save time for relaxing in the thermal facilities aimed at easing tired limbs. There’s also a Thai Spa Boutique to allow you to enjoy some divine spa products in your own home.
Nestled among ancient trees, within the granite walls of one of Ireland’s most renowned estates, you’ll find Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, surrounded by a vast resort - a complement to the formal gardens of historic Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, just 30 minutes from Dublin. Famously luxurious, it has three dining options including the Sika Restaurant, named after Japanese deer introduced to the estate in 1860. Meanwhile, the Sugar Loaf Lounge is especially popular for its cocktails. The spa by ESPA is a spectacular experience, not least for its 20-metre Swarovski Crystal-lit pool, thermal suite, serenity room, and cutting edge fitness studio.
An island resort accessed by ferry, Lusty Beg Island Spa in the heart of the Fermanagh Lakelands is a completely unique getaway. Surrounded by 75 acres of parkland, you can choose to stay in self catering lodges and chalets, which have a Swiss mountain vibe, or in B&B accommodation in the Courtyard or the Lakeside cabins. Alongside the welcoming hospitality, you can enjoy a range of leisure opportunities, from walking to cycling and kayaking. Then there's The Island Spa - a bubble of relaxation in a lodge-style building, complete with a sauna, pool and garden, as well as award-winning therapies.
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From bank holidays to mid-week mini breaks, give yourself a getaway to look forward to this year with extra rest and relaxation.
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