SPA BREAKS AND REST & REVIVAL - TEN OF THE BEST

A relaxing getaway is very tempting at any time – and especially when there's an occasion like Valentines, Mother's Day or Easter to celebrate. So, if a little R&R is just what's needed, why not head for a special hotel offering pampering (including spas) along with plenty of other activities to enjoy, both indoors and out

Galgorm Resort & Spa
Ballymena, Co Antrim

 Set amidst beautiful scenery, with the River Maine running through the grounds, this former gentleman’s residence is now one of Northern Ireland’s top destination hotels and mothership of The Galgorm Collection, which includes Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, Templepatrick; The Old Inn Crawfordsburn, Co Down; Galgorm Castle (golf; bar/dining); and, most recently, Roe Park Resort, Limavady – as well as several standalone restaurants. Galgorm is the region’s premier wedding venue and spa destination - yet, while larger and more contemporary following major redevelopment in recent years, it has retained its pleasant tranquil atmosphere. Spacious rooms and excellent amenities (including equestrian) are matched by outstanding food and drink, notably in the Conservatory (Afternoon Tea; Cocktail & Gin Bar) and Gillies Restaurant, which is a favourite for its brasserie style; charmingly situated overlooking the stables, it is also the setting for the renowned ‘Galgorm Breakfast’. But all of the Galgorm hotels feature innovative spas and many travel here especi.ally for Galgorm’s constantly evolving Spa and Thermal Village - a first for Ireland, with its riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms and saunas and an extensive selection of spa treatments. Equally, if you have never visited this area before, you have a lovely surprise in store and the resort makes a great base for exploring the stunning North Antrim coast, buzzing Derry city (with its brilliant restaurants and the Walled City Brewery to enjoy) - and perhaps the beautiful Inishowen Penisnsula in neighbouring Donegal, as well.

Ashford Castle
Cong, Co Mayo

Set in 350 acres of beautiful parkland and with unrivalled views down magnificent Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle is the perfect place for a complete break from humdrum everyday life. Grandeur, formality and tranquillity are the essential characteristics and, since the multi-million makeover by current owners, the Tollman family of the South African hotel group Red Carnation Hotels, it’s back to its glorious best and then some. But, less predictably, the Castle is a welcoming and relaxing place where multi-generational guests mix happily - staff make a big fuss over children and small family dogs are welcome too. And, while unarguable a luxury destination with pricing to match in high season, there’s good value in winter and early spring. Between January and March offers include wellness breaks that make the most of the state-of-the-art lough view Spa and Fitness Centre (scenically housed in a 3-tiered bronze conservatory) as well as an unequalled range of activities offered on the estate. Other winter offers include Gourmet Escapes from about €734 for two midweek, providing an ideal opportunity to sample Executive Head Chef Liam Finnegan’s superb food without breaking the bank. Timed carefully, the exceptional experience at Ashford Castle (and at its four-star sister hotel, The Lodge at Ashford Castle, which is located in the grounds) can give real value for money - and Valentine’s is coming up too, so a break in Mayo could be just the ticket.  

Kelly's Resort Hotel & Spa
Rosslare Co Wexford

 Perhaps it’s because its history in the same family spans three centuries, so there’s not a lot they don’t know about keeping guests happy, but whatever the secret of their relaxed professionalism, the Kelly family’s renowned beachside hotel sums up all that is best about the sunny South-East for its many regular visitors. And Kelly’s is right up there at the top when it comes to offering the best onsite leisure facilities, with its two indoor swimming pools, and a destination ‘SeaSpa’ wellbeing centre with 11 treatment rooms, seawater vitality pool, steam room, rock sauna and much else besides. With half board midweek spa breaks offering ‘… the ultimate sanctuary to soothe both body and mind’ from about €540, it’s good value too. They’re famous for so many things, it’s a case of take your pick - special events include their famous off season hobby weekends; there’s great food in a range of different styles (don’t miss the wonderfully atmospheric Sea Rooms Restaurant) and their legendary wine list is always changing, with many wines directly imported, some from Bill's brother-in-law Vincent Avril in Chateauneuf-du-Pape). Then there’s the extraordinary art collection; the wonderful kitchen gardens; the family activities and so much to do nearby...it’s a world apart.

The G Hotel
Galway Co Galway

 “One of the finest hotels in the West of Ireland - and certainly the most original” was a fair summary at the time of the G’s opening in 2005. Famous for its quirky interior by internationally renowned milliner Phillip Treacy, it has dated surprisingly little – although since copied elsewhere (and the hotel is now part of the Leonardo group), the original “mad hattiness” and striking interior design still tend to quicken the pulse in the knowledge that one is somewhere unique. Pampering is something they do naturally here, whether it be through the special surroundings and attentive service provided by the able staff throughout the hotel, their food - or the rooftop Spa at the g. Situated over two floors, it offers a fitness studio as well as a wide range of pampering spa treatments and “rituals designed to enhance well-being and relaxation” and a Relaxation Room overlooking the rooftop Zen garden. Spa packages are offered and there’s a Leonardo Hotels 10% discount available on all bookings – and, with Eyre Square just a brisk 15 minute walk away and outdoor activities including golf and horseriding nearby, there is no shortage of other things to do.

Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare Co Kerry

 First opened in the Heritage Town of Kenmare as a railway hotel in 1897, this is almost a second home to many thousands of RTE viewers, thanks to the success of former owners Francis and John Brennans’ “At Your Service” ‘hotel rescue’ programmes. It has always been a benchmark for exceptional standards of service and sumptuous comfort - a tradition proudly upheld in a quirkier way by current owners Bryan and Tara Meehan, who took over this historic property in 2023 and immediately gave it a fresh new look by replacing the traditional paintings with a growing collection of striking modern artwork. The style is changing but pampering remains a priority and, for many guests, that must include a visit to the hotel’s deluxe destination spa, SÁMAS, which translates from the Gaelic as ‘indulgence of the senses’. The Spa, including its Thermal Suite and Vitality Pool, is currently undergoing a revamp (the first major refurbishment in 25 years, reopening summer 2026), but the beautiful 25-metre stainless steel lap pool and sauna are still accessible via a dedicated external entrance, and the full range of Sámas signature treatments is available in a specially prepared therapy suite within the Heritage Wing. Off season breaks include some tempting discounts – and a Valentine’s Escape is offered too…   

Mount Falcon Estate
Ballina, Co Mayo

Once a romantic family home - previous owner, Major Robert Aldridge, was a keen archaeologist and helped to discover the nearby Céidhe Fields - Mount Falcon is now a luxury hotel with beautiful period features, extensive grounds, private salmon fishing on the River Moy and fine dining in an atmospheric room that was once the old kitchen and pantry of this historic house. “A gentle and relaxing hub of rejuvenation and positive energy”, the hotel’s Spa is open daily for hotel guests and non-resident bookings (including a Winter Indulgence offer) and aims to provide an experience of physical and emotional restoration - an appropriate goal in this place of quiet relaxation and pampering, where 100 acres of grounds have been redeveloped and landscaped to incorporate varied gardens, lakeside and woodland walks. Other activities on site include fishing, falconry and archery, while local attractions include championship golf, at nearby Enniscrone Golf Club, and horse riding - and there are many good walking beaches nearby.

No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa
Limerick, Co Limerick

Patricia Roberts’s luxurious boutique hotel is a stunning property occupying a large corner site on Limerick’s most gracious Georgian square - overlooking a leafy park and only a minute’s stroll away from the City Art Gallery and, more surprisingly perhaps, the Frank McCourt/Angela’s Ashes museum, which is just around the corner. It is an unusual and rewarding hotel to visit, with a strong emphasis on good seasonal food - especially the heritage of local Limerick produce, with local suppliers credited - in all areas, notably The Long Room which is a wonderfully atmospheric area where lunch, dinner and light bites are served. But if pampering is on your mind, the place to be is the vaulted basement, where offerings at the holistic No.1 Spa include a thermal spa (try the coal bunker sauna), sound wave therapy, tailor made programmes and a Zen garden; their totally natural Voya organic range is produced by the Celtic Seaweed Baths in Sligo - it all adds up to what is accurately described as a unique “Irish Spa” experience.

Dingle Skellig Hotel
Dingle, Co Kerry

 Its style may be modest-looking from the road, but this comfortable (and ever-growing) 1960s hotel enjoys a superb shoreside location on the edge of Dingle town and has won plenty of friends over the years. Many regular visitors to the peninsula would stay nowhere else - not because it’s especially luxurious, but because it has great heart and is the centre of the community. A well-run, family-friendly hotel with organised entertainment for children in school holidays (and a welcome policy of dedicating floors for family use to avoid disturbing guests without children), it makes a great base for the many outdoor activities in the area and has a health and beauty centre, The Peninsula Spa as well as a good leisure centre. Like so many things in Dingle, the spa is a bit different, offering not just the usual menu (hydrotherapy, hot stone therapy, holistic & sports massage, beauty treatments…) but treatments with a sense of place using locally-sourced ingredients such as seaweed and honey. And then there’s that fabulous outdoor hot tub, with one of the best views in world. Carry on dreaming.

Castlemartyr Resort
Castlemartyr, Co Cork

This impressive property has changed hands several times in recent years - but that is consistent with its history. Entering through gates near the centre of Castlemartyr village and then skirting the edge of the 18-hole Ron Kirby-designed golf course, the driveway leads past a 13th century castle to the beautiful entrance of the 17th century manor house, which was once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh - who later sold it to the Earl of Cork, Richard Boyle…plus ca change. Today, the resort is a luxurious destination with vast rooms boasting all kinds of bells and whistles, a reputation for high-end dining and other smartly presented food offerings featuring local flavours - and a seriously impressive leisure centre and The Spa featuring ESPA and GROUND Wellbeing, with treatment rooms (including couples suites) enjoying a restful outlook over formal gardens and parkland. It’s a world class amenity and widely regarded as one of the best spas in the region - where, of course, there is plenty else to do. For a start, the hotel has close links with the nearby Old Midleton Distillery, and other highlights in the area include Cobh ('the Queenstown story'), Fota Island (Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens; Fota Wildlife Park) and the East Cork Food Trail, which includes the Ballymaloe Cookery School & Gardens.

Sand House Hotel
Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal

 Unrivalled sea views and easy access to the two-mile long sandy beach have always been the great attractions of The Sand House, which started life as a fishing lodge in the 1830s and completed its latest metamorphosis with a new floor of bedrooms, a panoramic lift (with the best view in the house), a smart boardroom and The Marine Spa. Appropriately, given the location - and proximity to Strandhill, Co Sligo, famous for its seaweed baths and Voya organic treatments - The Marine Spa specialises in Voya and offers an organic seaweed skincare experience, Voya Organic Seaweed Baths and Spa Seaweed treatments. Outdoor activities abound too – including, of course, surfing. The Sand House is also famous as the hotel which, to the delight of its many fans, was saved from closure by longtime General Manager, Paul Diver, who purchased it during the recession, thus securing its long term future and keeping its wonderful staff together as a team. This David and Goliath story is still going strong – and well chronicled on the walls beside the bar.