logo
‘A deeper connection to nature' - Galgorm to spend €3.5m on new forest spa garden and resort rooms

‘A deeper connection to nature' - Galgorm to spend €3.5m on new forest spa garden and resort rooms

Luxury hotel and spa resort Galgorm has announced a £3m (€3.5m) investment in guestroom refurbishment and plans for a forest spa garden.
The resort said the changes, part of an overall £40m (€48m) investment plan, enhanced its thermal spa village while reinforcing its commitment to investing in tourism in Northern Ireland.
Parent company Galgorm Collection has spent £2m (€2.4m) on room refurbishment, including renovating the six junior suites at Galgorm, which now have private hot tubs on their balconies overlooking the River Maine.
And work to refurbish 45 superior rooms is due to be finished by July.
A new forest spa garden is due to open in the autumn of this year in a further £1m (€1.2m) investment which the venue said would offer guests 'a deeper connection to nature'.
The garden will be sited opposite the thermal spa village within the resort's woodland area, and will be equipped with four cabanas, three private hot tubs, a sauna and forest walkways.
A new bridge will link the new garden to the main spa, which Galgorm said would create 'a fully immersive wellness journey'.
Colin Johnston, managing director at Galgorm Collection, said: 'These investments allow us to push boundaries in creating exceptional guest experiences.
"The junior suites' private balcony hot tubs offer guests a spa retreat within their own room, while the Forest Spa Garden introduces an entirely new way to relax and reconnect with nature.
'Our guests both from home and overseas can expect even more from Galgorm, and this latest chapter reflects our vision for world-class hospitality here in Northern Ireland.'
The forest spa garden will be open to all overnight and day spa guests, but is particularly aimed at guests staying in its forest dens, eco-friendly accommodation combine luxury and an experience close to nature.
The forest dens, featured in The Irish Independent's Fab 50 list of Ireland's best places to stay in 2025, have a private garden terrace, outdoor shower, wood-fired bath, and private sauna.
This latest investment is part of Galgorm's broader £40m expansion strategy, which the group said was 'futureproofing' the industry in Northern Ireland.
The resort is the flagship property in Galgorm Collection and has benefited from spending of £60m (€71m) since 2010.
Galgorm Collection recently announced the acquisitions of Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Valley Resort in Limavady for a total of £28m (€33m), with another £22m (€26m) to be spent to improve both properties in the next five years.
Galgorm Collection opened the Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick, Co Antrim in 2019, and in 2021 acquired and relaunched The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn, adding an outdoor treetop spa and improving its accommodation and dining facilities.
Mr Johnston added: 'As international travel continues to rebound and domestic tourism flourishes, our focus remains on delivering premium, experience-led hospitality across our entire property portfolio.
"We are proud to contribute to the vibrancy of Northern Ireland's tourism offering and look forward to welcoming even more guests from domestic and overseas markets to experience everything Galgorm has to offer.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I stayed at Travelodge's 600th property London Oval - two things jumped out
I stayed at Travelodge's 600th property London Oval - two things jumped out

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

I stayed at Travelodge's 600th property London Oval - two things jumped out

When travelling to London, Travelodge offers more than 80 locations to choose from and there's usually one close to wherever you want to visit. Staff are always friendly, rooms are always clean and come with everything you need while the buffet breakfast is both reasonably priced and delicious. On a recent cultural expedition to the capital, it suited me to be close to Victoria Station and Vauxhall, so the recently built Travelodge London Oval Cricket Ground (across the road from the cricket ground entrance) was ideal. READ MORE: A weekend in Cork with your best friends is always a good idea READ MORE: Galgorm is leading the way with new AI massage treatment Opened in April 2022, it is the group's 600th property and features the new room design and the firm's top notch 85 Bar Café which serves evening meals as well as breakfast. It is a minute's walk from Oval Underground station on the Northern Line, and about half a mile from Vauxhall Station, which links to both National Rail lines and the Victoria line. There are 95 rooms at the hotel, of which 75 are standard and 20 are SuperRoom. The latter sport their own design scheme and extras such as a Lavazza coffee machine, enhanced shower, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Both the standard and SuperRoom come in options for double, family and accessible rooms. I stayed in a Family Room with a king-size double bed and two comfortable pull down single beds. There was space underneath the bed to store luggage along with two small bedside tables housing plug and USB power points. There was also a desk with a small kettle, tea and coffee facilities, a lamp and even more power points, which were a mix of USB-C and the older USB-A ports. You also get air conditioning, a 32in TV, an armchair, clothes hangers and extra pillows. Travelodge London Oval Cricket Ground verdict This was my favourite Travelodge to stay in so far, thanks to the new room design and the impressive dining area. To book, contact Travelodge London Oval Cricket Ground, 52 Kennington Oval, London, SE11 5SW; 0044 8719 846629 or Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

Galgorm clubs together €35million for Northern links
Galgorm clubs together €35million for Northern links

Extra.ie​

time19-07-2025

  • Extra.ie​

Galgorm clubs together €35million for Northern links

Plans to create the first championship-standard links golf course in the North for more than 100 years have been announced. Hospitality group Galgorm Collection is investing £30million (€34.6million) in building the course at Bellarena on the north west coast between Limavady and Coleraine. The announcement comes as the region continues to play host to the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club around 20 miles away. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland putts on the 12th green during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Pic:Golf tourism in the North generates £86million annually (€99million) – a figure that has increased 66% since Portrush last hosted the Open in 2019 – but tourist bosses said that capacity is a limiting factor in driving further growth, with only so many visitors being able to play on the region's landmark seaside links course at any one time. Galgorm Collection is planning to open its new course in 2029. The company already owns and runs the championship parkland course at Galgorm Castle in Ballymena and a course at Roe Valley in Limavady. Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts to a putt on the 17th green during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Pic:Subject to planning permission being approved, Galgorm Collection said development of Bellarena Golf Links will start next year. It said building the course would bring its total investment in the north west to around £65million (€75million), creating an additional 300 jobs. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the sixth hole during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Pic:'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. 'We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Stormont's economy minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement. She said: 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.'

Northern Ireland set for first new links golf course in a century as Galgorm reveals £30m development plans
Northern Ireland set for first new links golf course in a century as Galgorm reveals £30m development plans

Irish Independent

time18-07-2025

  • Irish Independent

Northern Ireland set for first new links golf course in a century as Galgorm reveals £30m development plans

The project, which will cost around £30million, will deliver a championship-standard links course between Portrush and Limavady to join the likes of Royal Portrush, which is currently hosting The Open, Portstewart and Castlerock on the north coast. Bellarena Golf Links is still subject to planning approval but the intention is for work to start as soon as possible, potentially as early as next year, with an eye on a 2029 opening date. The Galgorm Collection say that the project will create 300 new jobs in the area as well as increase the organisation's investment in the area to £65million after their acquisition of the Roe Park Resort in Limavady. The group purchased both it and Galgorm Castle Estate in a £50million deal last year and has pledged £22million to the redevelopment of the renamed Roe Valley Resort, which also boasts an 18-hole golf course. Economy minster Dr Caoimhe Archibald commented on the news: 'Golf tourism generated a record £86 million for the region last year and this month's Open at Royal Portrush will help to increase this impact even further. 'I commend the Galgorm Collection team for their confidence and ambition in supporting our drive to amplify the regional prosperity which the sport can bring.' Bellarena is conveniently located along the train line from Coleraine to Londonderry, which will aid with transport links for tourists, as well as being served by the main coastal road. 'With a rich heritage and stunning views, Northern Ireland is a highly sought-after destination for golfers from across the globe and our golf strategy focuses on maximising our strengths to continue to grow this crucially important part of our tourism offer,' said Ellvena Graham, Tourism Northern Ireland board chair. 'Galgorm Collection has been a pioneer in developing an outstanding, internationally acclaimed tourism product and I'm delighted that this key, experienced tourism stakeholder is further investing in this area.' The Galgorm Collection are perhaps best known for their chain of hotels, which includes the Galgorm Resort, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick, The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn, while they also operate the Fratelli and Parisien restaurants. Galgorm Golf Club famously hosted the innovative mixed-gender ISPS HANDA World Invitational on the DP World Tour and LPGA Tour, as well as the Irish Open during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is currently preparing to host an NI Legends event on the European Seniors Tour next month. Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston added: 'Our exciting plans to develop a new 18-hole links golf course at Bellarena on Northern Ireland's stunning north west coast will deliver a once-in-generation opportunity to drive a new era of golfing and tourism success that will amplify our outstanding and award-winning credentials while also creating hundreds of jobs. 'Preparatory work is already well under way that could pave the way for development from next year before we welcome our first guests in 2029. We look forward to consulting widely on our plans and engaging stakeholders at every level to ensure collective, shared success for the local community, the north west region and Northern Ireland as a whole.' Welcoming the plans, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said: "Tourism is an important element in the economic development of the North West and an investment of this scale by Galgorm Collection will provide a major economic boost for the area and create new job opportunities while also helping to showcase the region's outstanding natural assets. 'This investment will also help ensure that the benefits of tourism are more widely spread, supporting local growth and prosperity. I'm delighted at the news and look forward to seeing these plans progress over the months ahead.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store