Superb accommodation options on the island of Ireland offer a truly indulgent experience. So what better way to banish the winter blues than a luxury getaway?
Cosy up and relax in Ballyfin Demesne in County Laois, a lavish Regency mansion voted top resort hotel in Europe and second in the world in the 2018 Travel and Leisure Awards. This five-star hotel offers the ultimate in indulgent escapism.
Think four-poster beds and marble bathrooms, magnificent state rooms and elegant drawing rooms, with decoration acclaimed as among the finest of the Neoclassical and Empire periods in Ireland. Add to that, superb service, fabulous food and 614 acres of peaceful grounds to explore and you have the perfect luxury destination.
For a more intimate experience consider Helen’s Tower, an enchanting nineteenth-century three-storey stone tower set in the woods of Clandeboye Estate in County Down. With its charming octagonal poetry room, spiral staircase, open fire and period furniture, it is a delightful piece of architecture and tailor made for a romantic retreat.
Or why not take the Ulster Grand Tour around Northern Ireland’s historic houses in the company of experts? This unique heritage tour visits Ulster’s finest houses, including Ballywalter Park and Crom Castle, and several others which rarely open to the public. As a part of the tour programme, a number of the houses provide superb accommodation and catering.
A luxury break usually means some serious pampering, and there is an array of top class spa resorts to choose from on the island of Ireland. Try the four-star Thermal Village at the Galgorm Resort and Spa in County Antrim, or the five-star, adult-only Monart Spa in County Wexford.
The Monart Spa thermal suite offers sauna, steam room, outdoor Finnish sauna, salt grotto, infra-red pro suite, caldarium, sanarium and hydrotherapy pool, complemented by deluxe accommodation and fine dining.
Multi-award-winning Ashford Castle in County Mayo offers sumptuous accommodation and a range of indoor and outdoor activities for those who like to keep busy. Set on 350 acres, with a spectacular backdrop of woodlands, lake, river and mountains, the hotel features a billiard room, gym and ozone-filtrated pool and offers country sports including horse riding, fly fishing, golf and falconry.
Modern elegance is to be found in hotels across the island but those seeking accommodation on a Dublin city break should check out The Marker in Grand Canal Square, the city’s newest luxury design hotel. The architecture draws on the elemental nature of the Irish landscape and combines it with a sleek urban aesthetic creating a fabulous building in one of the most vibrant cultural hubs of the city.