We all love to be pampered. And what better way to treat yourself than an escape to a stunning, five star resort and spa?
With our toddler safely deposited with her grandparents for the weekend, myself and my other half headed north to Belfast’s Culloden Estate and Spa recently for sneaky babymoon before our second bundle arrives in June.
The gorgeous Gothic style 19 Century hotel enjoys a dramatic location high in the city's exclusive Holywood Hills.
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From the breathtaking views to the three excellent dining offerings and the world class pool and spa, this place deserves every one of its five stars.
But it’s really the service that sets this hotel apart.
From the moment we walked through the elegant glass door entrance, the staff treated us like old friends, proudly showing us around the property and offering us lifts to wherever we needed to go in their bespoke hotel-branded cars.
After settling into our suite - which in Dublin would make a decent-sized apartment – we headed for dinner.
Vespers is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant and it’s clear that they take the term very seriously.
The mouthwatering fish and seafood options immediately caught my eye and I opted for king scallops to start with grilled stonebass for main course.
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My husband tucked into a smoked salmon roulade followed by the most delicious fillet of beef with scalloped potatoes – all beautifully presented by our friendly, attentive waiter.
The next morning we awoke to the most amazing views of the Lough from our full-length window, followed by an even more amazing breakfast.
One of the things I loved most about Culloden was how committed they are to championing local produce.
From the pork in their sausages to the fruit in their apple juice, we knew exactly where our food was coming from thanks to a charming little booklet detailing the stories of the local producers who made the ingredients for our meal.
After breakfast we headed for the spa and I quickly decided that this is where I’d be spending the majority of my day.
From the elegant pillars and floor to ceiling to the massive, octagon-shaped pool it was like stepping into a Grecian palace.
I enjoyed a gorgeous, pampering maternity massage while my husband worked off the knots from driving with a an invigorating Swedish massage.
Dinner that evening was in the Cultura Inn, the hotel’s second, more relaxed restaurant, where we enjoyed delicious comfort food in the form of moreish chicken wings, big juicy burgers with chips and onion rings and a decadent honey and lemon creme brulee.
After checking out the following morning, we were offered the option of using the spa facilities until 3pm – however I feared if I went back there I might never want to leave.
Instead we opted for coffee and a few last precious moments of tranquillity in the Lough Bar, where guests can enjoy panoramic Lough views as well as a tasty barfood menu, before hitting the road home.
