The Irish sister hotels perfect for relaxing staycation with outdoor tubs, snow cabin, delicious food & resident puppy
TIME spent with a friend is good for the soul – and if you can do it in one of Ireland's top hotels, even better.
With that in mind, my pal Denise and I headed for
5
The luxury 4-star Galgorm Hotel & Spa is ideal for a weekend break
5
It is renowned as a pampering hotspot
5
Many relaxing opportunities at the resort after a stressful week
The resort is renowned for pampering and we were excited to see what was on offer after hearing so many good things.
Our accommodation, the Forest Den, was a private hut in the woods — and it simply blew us away.
It came with its own outdoor seating area, a piano, private hot tub, sauna and outdoor shower, as well as a cosy, indoor kitchen and sleeping quarters.
Denise was so excited she hopped on a video call straight away to show off the room while I had a nosy around.
READ MORE IN TRAVEL
After a few glasses of
As a
The staff were that perfect mix — appearing just as you were about to call them and then leaving you be when you want some time to chat and eat.
And just across the courtyard was the bar, with live
Most read in the Irish Sun
After a couple of drinks, we went back to our den via the resort's free courtesy bus, where we spent two hours soaking in the outdoor bath.
We fell into bed content and dozed happily to the sounds of the forest outside.
The short Irish train journey perfect for summer day out with 'stunning views'
If you are staying at the Galgorm, you get full access to its Thermal Village Spa. This has a number of gorgeous relaxation spots, from the outdoor hot tubs overlooking the river to the sauna huts.
Inside, they have a pool and a snow cabin.
CABIN FEVER
Said to be great for circulation and the lungs, a snow cabin is essentially like walking into a freezer!
There were blocks of what looked like snow on the walls, and it was a contrast to the heat of the pool I had been in just moments before.
We raced through breakfast to spend as much time as we could there, sunning ourselves in the sauna, and taking a swim.
There's no need to dress up, as everyone walks around in their recognisable brown dressing gowns.
We only wished we had more time to have a treatment, such as the 90-minute Taste of Galgorm, which includes a back and foot massage, and a head treatment. Or the 60-minute Relaxing Full Body Massage.
But by the time we had booked our stay, they were fully booked, so try to book early.
ON THE MOVE
We packed up the car and head for Galgorm's sister hotel, The Rabbit.
Just a 25-minute drive away, I would describe it as the cool, younger sibling. And it gets my vote simply for being dog-friendly. It even has its own resident pup, Florence.
While the previous night was more focused on spa and chill — and there is a lot of that at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat — there is also music, for those wanting party vibes. We met groups of women and hen parties, all enjoying the pool with cocktails in hand.
Our room was fab, with a retro vinyl player, quirky wallpaper and accessories, as well as a secluded outdoor tub.
WELCOME PACK
There was also a welcome pack with some chocolates and a bottle of prosecco, so we sat out in the sun and poured ourselves a glass before our afternoon plans.
We were booked in for a Private Botanical Bathing Experience.
The one-of-a-kind treatment includes your own private jacuzzi, filled with soothing smells and an unbeatable view of the water. A QR code connects you to the bar, which delivers your order.
You get to pick the botanicals used, with options such as Sleep Time (best near night-time) and Rest and Restore, but we went for Feel Good.
This was a mix of bergamot sweet orange and rosemary, to detox and promote relaxation.
GO: GALGORM RESORT AND THE RABBIT HOTEL
STAY HERE: Lodging at the Forest Den at Galgorm, is available from £270 Bed & Breakfast per room (2 guests) – coming in at €321.94 based on current exchange rates.
The Comfy Room with Outdoor Bathtub at The Rabbit is available from £275 Bed & Breakfast per room (2 guests) – coming in at €327.90.
For guests staying overnight at the Rabbit, adding the Botanical Bath is an extra £50 or €60.
Then it was time to get changed and head to the hotel's restaurant, where once again I was delighted to see they had a vegetarian menu.
To top off our night, we had prime position in the restaurant to watch a man surprise his partner with a proposal — thankfully she said yes!
The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, it was time to hit the road again.
To anyone who is overdue a catch-up with a friend, this is the one for you.
5
They have an excellent menu for vegetarians
5
Nicola enjoyed her weekend break at the hotel
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
15 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Urgent warning to Irish holidaymakers about measles outbreaks in European countries
Irish families heading to European holiday destinations this summer have been warned of large measles outbreaks. France, Spain, Romania and the Netherlands have all seen outbreaks as well the US, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin's first AI tour guide programmed to copy the locals 'unique wit & charm'
Maybe it's an impulse born of living on an island that once marked the edge of the known world. But inside most Irish people, there is a tour guide waiting to come out. A living, breathing Google map just longing to be asked for directions or suggestions on what we do to pass the time around here. Of course it's of no major consequence whether you have any actual knowledge on the subject being queried. A friend once overheard this exchange between a proud Dub and his foreign guest in a city centre pub Pointing at a picture of James Joyce framed on the wall, the eager visitor inquired who it was. Summoning years of local knowledge the local confidently declared: 'That's Eamon de Valera. He was shot by the Brits for dividing the country in two.' It's the kind of innate native confidence that makes many of us think that if the pension plan to win the EuroMillions or find a lost bale of cartel cocaine on the beach fails, we can always fall back on a bit of local tour guiding. But news reaching us this week suggests we may now have to file those ambitions away in the 'there goes another dream' folder of life. Because Dublin City Council has unveiled what is believed to be one of the world's first 'AI' tour guides. In a press release the city fathers breathlessly announced: 'Meet Brendan, the AI-Guide who offers a new way for tourists and locals alike to explore Dublin, delivering engaging AI powered audio content — with his distinct Dublin wit, charm, and playful personality. 'He covers more than 500 cultural and historical spots across the city, using advanced AI technology to provide real-time narrations, all in a warm, locally inspired storytelling style.' Well now, from my limited knowledge of AI, I do know it learns from scraping anything it can find on the internet. And it can get lost in translation very easily. So the big question is, which natives has AI Brendan scraped his 'locally inspired' Dublin storytelling charm and wit from? Let us imagine with a tour of the city's famous landmarks. First stop is the much-molested statue of city icon Molly Malone, where AI 'Mrs Brendan's Boys' is warning people it's now forbidden to kop a feel of her ample bosom. 'But you can grab me by the cockles and mussels anytime wayhay!' 'Ah Here Leave it Out!' retorts AI 'Inner City Man of the People Brendan'. He takes his guests instead on a ramble to the GPO where he regales them with a history of how Padraig Pearse declared independence from the historic steps by proclaiming: 'Get away from me Brits, yiz are like the last sting of a dying wasp!' A short hop away, AI 'Talk To Brendan' is taking complaints from visitors outraged at the carry-on of locals mooning New York through the Dublin Portal. 'Go ahead Maisie yeah, you came to Ireland for the craic but you didn't expect one to photobomb your Bloomsday selfie with the James Joyce statue, I know, I not like what you expected from watching Normal People.' Moving around the corner to O'Connell Street we pass AI 'Italia '90 Brendan' who looks a lot like Colm Meaney as he touts for custom for his open top city bus tours, shouting: 'I suppose a ride is out of the question?' Arriving at Dublin's most popular landmark we find the AI 'Notorious Brendan', addressing a tour group outside St James Gate. 'Home of the Black Stuff? Ireland doesn't have enough homes for its own stuff, it's full bro. This is the Great replacement of White Paddy orchestrated by the bleedin' woke Garda Traffic Corps. 'Now come and have a proper pint of my home brew porter instead. Or I'll give ya a bleedin dig in the head.' Passing back down Dame Street, outside the Central Bank, AI 'Celtic Tiger Brendan' bears a startling resemblance to a former Taoiseach. He is selling tours of the IFSC and Croke Park with an afternoon activity of 'climbing every tree in north Dublin' thrown in. 'Dis way folks but no cards tanks. De local Dubalin custom is not to use dem ould bank accounts, it's all cash in envelopes around here still. Revolut me h**e! Anyone for de last of de cheeky charlies?' He is drowned out by a scruffy looking 'Sir Brendan' AI who is telling his punters that this is the type of banana republic economics that has always made Dublin a 'f***ing kip'. 'Just give me your f***ing money and we will go stay in London instead.' Finally, arriving to the tourist mecca of Temple Bar we encounter AI 'Frontman Brendan' who is short and wearing sunglasses in the pouring rain. He is recalling for the visitors the historic first performance of Handel's 'Messiah'. 'So Handel was foretelling that a Messiah would rise from these city streets with no name. And he himself would become a Handle – a Human Handle, opening the doors to Dublin's one true soul like Moses parting the Red Sea for the children of Abraham and…' At which point a passing unemployed local guide could be heard to interrupt and ask: 'Here Brendan, do you know the five lamps…'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Hidden gem' country is perfect mix of private beaches and city breaks
Montenegro, an overlooked gem in the Balkans, deserves to be on more Irish holidaymakers' rader this summer. It's a perfect destination for both beach getaways and city breaks, with direct flights from the UK to two of its cities - Tivat and Podgorica. Labelled as an 'up and coming' spot by Condé Nast Traveller, Montenegro caters to all types of holidaymakers, offering wild beaches and hidden trails, as well as private beaches, beach clubs, and superyachts. Moreover, it's a strikingly beautiful country, ensuring you'll have plenty of photos to share with your friends and social media followers. The capital city, Podgorica, is perfect for a city break, from exploring the Ottoman-era neighbourhood of Stara Varoš, to taking a riverside walk to Waterfall Niagara (not to be confused with the similarly named Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border). History buffs can enjoy wandering through the city's historic sites, including the stunning Saborni Hram Hristovog Vaskrsenja church, or the ancient Duklja Ruins, which date back to the Roman era, and are just a few miles from the city centre, reports the Express. For those seeking a peaceful beach holiday, Budva is the place to go. This beautiful city offers sandy stretches and pebbly coves, bustling tourist hotspots and secluded beaches favoured by locals. Slovenska Plaža, a stone's throw from the old town, boasts both public and private stretches for beachgoers. For those seeking tranquillity, the idyllic Mogren Beach or the more hidden Ploce Beach are perfect spots. You don't need to stray too far for a dose of Vitamin D if you're staying in one of the city's hotels or resorts, as many come with their own exclusive beaches. Not everyone fancies a summer holiday; if that's you, why not opt for a winter escape to the mountainous village of Kolašin for some exhilarating skiing? The Kolasin ski centre has been met with rave reviews from its visitors. One ecstatic snowboarder commented: "It was amazing experience. We went there to snowboard, and it was awesome. Ski tracks were great! We will come again next year!". Another guest recalled: "Will remember this place because my 5 and 7 y.o, kids learned to ski here. Great ski instructors Ksenija and Ivan - more than grateful for their patient approach and fun we had with them." And a third reviewer couldn't hide their excitement: " What a great resort to go to. There was plenty of snow and many runs to go down. Exciting and some scary runs but didn't take long to get back into skiing after over 20 years of not doing it."
