Once the official palace for the Bishops of Down in the 18th century, this five-star hotel and spa features 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens, a gorgeous spa and three restaurants, where historic charm meets modern elegance
Where is it?
Nestled in the Holywood Hills, a suburb just outside Belfast City Centre where Rory McIlroy has a home, the majestic hotel has stunning views overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline.
It can be reached in under 10 minutes by taxi or car from Belfast City Airport while its a stone's throw from Cultra railway station, on the line from Belfast Grand Central. Belfast International Airport is a 40 minute drive away, and can be reached by public transport or taxi.
Its privileged location makes the hotel the perfect place to relax and get away from it all, while also providing an easy starting point to explore the vibrant and fascinating city of Belfast and the surrounding countryside.
Style
A perfect combination of modern comfort and period charm, the hotel exudes historic grandeur. From the moment you drive up the tree-lined avenue to the grand entrance, you are enveloped in an atmosphere of refined elegance.
A stunning lobby and ground floor features beautiful glass chandeliers, a comfy drawing room with armchairs and sofas to relax in, and a grand hall which leads you to the main restaurant, hotel bar, rooms and spa. A beautiful grand staircase invites you upstairs where many rooms are situated.
It is lushly carpeted, and full of period charm. There are vast arched open doorways, panelled ceilings, and beautiful period fireplaces. Subtle lighting brings comfort and tranquility. The walls are decked with stunning artworks, some which draw on the history of the palace, with others modern works from some of Ireland's finest artists, curated and available to buy from leading contemporary art gallery Gormleys.
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A stunning grand staircase glides up past a wonderful stained glass window. Vast windows on the ground floor look out on the private gardens and the loch. You’ll find it hard not to stop and marvel at the surroundings.
Food and Drink
You are truly spoilt for choice from the array of restaurants located on the estate grounds, all proudly showcasing the best of Northern Irish and international cuisine.
Its crown jewel is Vespers, one of Belfast’s finest restaurants and a previous winner of Good Food Ireland’s Food Lover’s Choice Award.
Dinner is served from Wednesday to Saturday from its Table D'hôte set menu, alongside a famous Sunday lunch, using finest local ingredients to provide gastronomic twists on classic dishes.
Starters include Kilkeel Scallop Chowder and Soy Glazed Smoked Eel while you can choose from mains like Venison Shoulder Pie and Pan-Seared Ardglass Hake.
A more relaxed, but just as delicious, gastropub dining experience is offered each day at the Cultra Inn, situated at the entrance of the hotel grounds. Take a short stroll down from the hotel through the beautiful gardens to the cosy venue.
Exposed beams and wood panelling give the pub a charming homely feel.
Enjoy a drink at the bar before tucking into delicious dishes including Chorizo Caesar Salad, mouth-wateringly tender Lisdergan Sirloin Steak, and Monkfish and Tiger Prawn Linguine.
A hearty full Irish breakfast and classic continental breakfast, served each day within Vespers, will set you up perfectly for your day ahead. The yoghurt and passion fruit pot, and overnight oats are not to be missed.
You can also enjoy food and drink in the newest addition in the heart of the hotel - the Lough Bar. Choose from the selection of salads, sharing plates, small bites, and desserts, from an all day menu served from 12pm to 9.45pm. Heartier mains like sirloin steak, sausage and mash, or pan-fried Seabass are on offer if you are hungrier.
A fully-stocked bar offers an incredible range of Irish gins and whiskeys, and cocktails to end your day in style.
An addition for summer is the charming Bollinger Champagne Garden in the hotel gardens where guests enjoy stunning panoramic views of the grounds and a vista across Belfast Lough.
And don't forget to try a delicious afternoon tea (with champagne and children's options) offered at Vespers in the afternoon. It's a treat of finger sandwiches, heavenly pastries and scones, paired with a choice of blended teas.
I said you were spoilt for choice!
Facilities
The only place to begin here is Culloden's award-winning spa. Reachable for guests from the hotel itself via a stunning glass lift or via a separate outside entrance, you'll find yourself in holistic heaven.
The facilities are all centred around the pool, flooded in natural light by a stunning octagonal skylight that sits above it.
The shape of the pool means its more one to relax and swim a little, rather than get in your lengths - but it’s the embodiment of the spa's relaxed vibe.
Slip into the large rectangular jacuzzi, and enjoy the gardens through a huge glass window that makes you feel like you're outside.
The sauna also enjoys a beautiful view of the outdoors, while those looking to really get their sweat on can head for the Eucalyptus steam room.
Enjoy a drink or snack from the kiosk and lie back and relax on a poolside sun lounger.
If you're looking to take your indulgence to the next level, there's a huge range of spa treatments available from the expert team, from massages and aromoatherapy treatments to facials and other skin treatments.
There's too many to list, so you'd be best to see what's offered in the spa's portfolio at https://www.cullodenestateandspa.com/spa.
We enjoyed a full body massage which I'd highly-recommended, and afterwards you can continue to unwind in a wonderful relaxation room.
There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness suite and deluxe changing suites furnished with ESPA toiletries.
Aside from the spa the hotel is set in 12 acres of spectacular grounds and woodland, all studded with sculptures.
It’s lovely to take a pre or post-dinner stroll around and enjoy the art trail, while taking in the wider idyllic views.
Extracurricular
The Culloden Estate and Spa is perfectly positioned if you want to visit Belfast or the countryside around the city.
It's a short cab, train or bus ride into the centre of Belfast. We first visited Titanic Belfast, an impressive attraction overlooking the docks where the ill-fated ship was built.
Its a great museum, taking you through Belfast's industrial history, to the creation of the vast ship, and the tragedy that followed. There's plenty of interactive exhibits, including a cable car ride through the docks, which the kids will love.
You'll need at least two-and-a-half to three hours to get round and enjoy all it has to offer.
In our day in the city we also visited the McConnell’s Whisky distillery. It's been created in part of the old Victorian Crumlin Road Gaol, where convicted terrorists were held during The Troubles. The old prison cells are still mapped out on the ground as you walk around.
You'll learn all about how whisky is made, and don’t worry, you'll get to try some too.
It's a fine example of the innovative way the city is moving on from its difficult past, but its unlikely a visitor won't want to learn more about the Troubles.
A great way to do that is through a Belfast Black Cab Tour where you'll be driven round the centre of the city, learning about its history and most famous buildings, before being taken to the traditional Republican and Loyalist areas, visiting murals that mark events and learning about the origins, reality and resolution of the conflict. Our guide Billy Scott was hugely knowledgeable.
There's plenty of lovely places to eat and drink in Belfast when you want a break from the sightseeing. We ate at Amelia Hall, a Belfast cocktail bar in the heart of the city serving pizza and small plates with a nice relaxed atmosphere.
For a night out, definitely visit the Cathedral Quarter, a maze of cobblestoned streets and warehouses that has become home to trendy bars, beer gardens, clubs and restaurants, with live music every night of the week.
The Duke of York is a traditional Irish bar crammed with original mirrors and memorabilia, boasting cold beer, great Guinness and promising the largest selection of Irish whiskeys in Ireland.
More information on the best things to do in and around Belfast can be found through Tourism Ireland. www.ireland.com/northernireland
Which room?
The hotel has 98 rooms, starting with their beautiful garden rooms and moving up to their palatial suites.
The garden rooms are lovely, featuring a King Cloud Bed, adorned with lavish red and gold Egyptian cotton bed linen. Many of these rooms offer garden views, bathing them in natural light and providing a serene environment for relaxation. Each room includes an en-suite bathroom with a shower.
We stayed in the luxurious Bishop suite, featuring a lovely lounge area with a sofa and arm chairs offering wonderful views across the Lough. The rooms have all the trappings of five star luxury you'd expect and more, with ours boasting both a power shower, deep-soak bath and double sink and luxury toiletries.
Each suite has been meticulously designed to harmonise classic décor with modern comforts, featuring spacious living areas, double-height ceilings, and fine Irish fabrics. There's a desk should you need to work, and plenty of wardrobe space.
I'd challenge you not to get a good night's sleep in the wonderfully comfortable king-size bed.
Best for?
The hotel and spa is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. You can effortlessly drift from room to restaurant to spa, without leaving the grounds. It's also a great place for grown-up families to relax together. It’s also a wedding venue.
Details
Suites at Culloden Estate & Spa start from £790 per night and Garden Rooms from £270 per night, including breakfast.
