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
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The luxury 4-star Galgorm Hotel & Spa is ideal for a weekend break
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It is renowned as a pampering hotspot
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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.
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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
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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.
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They have an excellent menu for vegetarians
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Nicola enjoyed her weekend break at the hotel
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