Warning: this post may cause you to want to drop everything and book a spa weekend.
There's nothing quite like a chilled weekend away to leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed. But add in a hot stone massage, a seaweed wrap, an aromatherapy facial, and an afternoon hanging out in the thermal suites, and you're bound to feel like a whole new person (with baby-soft skin to match!) Whether you're after a girly weekend with your bestie, a romantic break with your beau, or maybe even a minimoon, you'll find the right spot in our round-up. Without further ado, let's introduce our 20 favourite places for a spa weekend in Ireland.
Monart Spa
Recognised as one of the Ireland's leading spa destinations, Monart is the perfect place for some serious pampering. A five star, adult-only spa, Monart is a one-stop relaxation shop - guests are encouraged to wear bathrobes and slippers all day, for the ultimate spa break experience. Set in 100 acres of picturesque countryside, with beautifully designed gardens, a thermal suite, deluxe accommodation and fine dining (and that's before we even get to the spa treatments), Monart is a truly blissful place.
Treatment to try: The Bridal Zen Package, €259 per person sharing
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford | Overnight spa packages from €199 per person, or €258 per double room | monart.ie
Ashford Castle
Set on 350 acres of parkland along the banks of Lough Corrib, the spa at Ashford Castle is housed in the most beautiful bronze conservatory, which boasts sea-shell chandeliers and a mosaic mural, so this is an exceedingly opulent backdrop for your next pampering sesh. Pairing ancient wellness rituals with modern innovations, the treatment menu at Ashford Castle makes for some pretty enticing reading.
Treatment to try: World Weary Traveller, €250
Cong, Co. Mayo | Overnight spa package from €695 per double room | ashfordcastle.com
Mount Falcon
The spa at Mount Falcon is just one of the draws of this gorgeous country estate, which also boasts exceptional food and fairytale surroundings. Making the most of the calming surroundings, the spa has a pool, steam room, sauna, and jacuzzi as well as an extensive menu of treatments using Elemis and Noem Organics. The leisure centre at Mount Falcon even offers fitness bootcamps, just in case you want to break a sweat before you hit the sauna.
Treatment to try: Neom Happiness Treatment, €109
Ballina, Co. Mayo | Overnight spa packages from €280 per double room | mountfalcon.com
The Shelbourne Hotel
For a spot of pampering in the heart of Dublin city, it's hard to beat the spa at the iconic Shelbourne Hotel. Featuring seven treatment rooms and an opulent relaxation room, it's far from the largest spa on our list, but the treatment menu is extensive, featuring Elemis facials and treatments inspired by (and including!) classic cocktails. The hotel is also home to a Health Club with swimming pool and thermal suite, rounding out the classic spa experience.
Treatment to try: Elegance and Grace Signature Indulgence, €169
St. Stephen's Green, Dublin | Overnight stays from €208 per double room, day spa packages from €140 per person, treatments from €55 | shelbournespa.ie
Seafield Hotel
The Ocea Spa at the Seafield Hotel is a luxury spa with thermal suites and a hydrotherapy pool, as well as an outdoor vitality pool. Among the array of suites and treatment rooms, you'll find monsoon showers and even an ice grotto! Featuring top-quality products like Elemis, Payot and Neom Organics, the treatments at Oceo Spa are pretty divine - highlights include the steam and mud treatments. Oh and after all that pampering, you can continue to unwind with a long walk on the beach.
Treatment to try: The Neom Wellbeing De-stress Treatment, €95
Ballymoney, Co. Wexford | Overnight stay from €110 per double room, spa treatments from €69, and day spa packages from €119 per person | seafieldhotel.comÂ
The Powerscourt Hotel
If you're looking for a luxury spa weekend close to Dublin, ESPA at the Powerscourt Hotel is the perfect place to unwind with minimal travel time. With 20 treatment rooms, including a private spa suite, a 20-metre Swarovski, crystal-lit heated pool and a state-of-the-art thermal suite, this spa offers relaxation on a grand scale. Lookout for the signature treatments, and the mindfulness rituals, which might be especially helpful for brides or grooms experiencing wedding planning-related stress.
Treatment to try: The Shillelagh Massage, €145 - €155
Powerscourt, Co.Wicklow | Overnight stays from €159 per double room, day spa packages from €160 per person, treatments from €115 | powerscourthotel.com
The Ice House Hotel
The Chill Spa at the Ice House is one of Ireland's most popular spa weekend destinations, thanks to its beautiful views over the River Moy and the woodlands beyond. While the Ice House is known for outdoor barrel saunas and hot tubs, it also boasts a steam room and luxurious treatment rooms. Locally-produced Voya seaweed products are used in their treatments, too, so you'll really feel like you're getting back to nature!
Treatment to try: Voya Organic Warm Spiced Mud Wrap, €90
Ballina, Co. Mayo | Overnight spa packages from €260 per double room | icehousehotel.ie
The Europe Hotel
ESPA luxury spa at The Europe is set along the shores of Killarney's Loch Lein, making it one of the most picturesque and unique spa destinations in Ireland. Designed with the wild Kerry landscape in mind, each room features breathtaking views, making it very easy to relax and unwind. The thermal suite, outdoor vitality pool, swimming pool and a spa café really round out the experience, and the ritual menu is so luxurious, you'll start to relax just reading through it!
Treatment to try: Harmonising Ayurvedic Ritual, €250
Killarney, Co Kerry | Overnight stays from €255 per room, full spa days from €360 per person, individual treaments from €60 | theeurope.com
Kelly's Resort Hotel
SeaSpa at Kelly's Resort Hotel is located right on the beach, which means that guests can enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi, swim in the seawater vitality pool, and use the rock sauna, ice fountain, heated loungers and steam room, all while taking in a view of the sea! With a treatment menu designed around the healing sea waters, and heat and steam experiences, SeaSpa scores top marks for their thermal spa, holistic treatments and relaxing atmosphere. Where do we sign up?
Treatment to try: Oceans Inspired Ritual, €110
Rosslare, Co.Wexford | Overnight spa breaks from €165 per person | kellys.ie
Galgorm Resort & Spa
Set on the banks of the River Maine, Galgorm Resort has a unique thermal spa with a hydro pool, a hot tub and a jacuzzi. Within the village is a snow cabin that's filled with snow all year 'round, reaching a chilly -10°C, which is designed to enhance blood circulation and respiratory function. Galgorm is also home to a Finnish-style sauna, where guests can enjoy an on-trend Aufguss ritual. Couples should look out for the twilight hot tub experience.
Treatment to try: Quartz Gold Treatment, from £125
Galgorm, Co. Antrim | Overnight spa packages from £395 for two guests | spa.galgorm.com
Farnham Estate
The outdoor infinity pool at Farnham Estate is cool enough to justify a trip to this Co. Cavan hideaway, but the 40,000 square foot spa is home to plenty of other unusual and luxurious wellness attractions, including a hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, steam bath, salt inhalation room, Finnish sauna, and ice fountain. The treatment menu is pretty impressive, too, and includes specially-designed facials and massages for expecting mothers and those undergoing cancer treatment.
Treatment to try: Yon-Ka Hydralessence Facial, €95
Farnham Estate, Co. Cavan | Overnight spa packages from €285 per double room | farnhamestate.ie
Castlemartyr
A tranquil spot on an epic countryside estate, the spa at Castlemartyr is the kind of place where you can easily and instantly relax. Among the many highlights are the 20-metre swimming pool, jacuzzi, aromatherapy saunas and steam rooms, relaxation rooms, and vitality lounges, but for us, the treatment menu, which features both ESPA and Germaine de Capuccini products, is really where it's at.
Treatment to try: The Oriental Garden Escape, €140
Castlemartyr, Co. Cork | Two-night spa packages from €287 per person sharing | castlemartyrresort.ie
The K Club
Located on the breathtaking K Club estate in Straffan, just 35 minutes from Dublin, the spa at The K Club is a great option for anyone looking to unwind close to the city. Their treatment menu includes lots of unique and cutting edge treatments, including carboxytherapy (the use of CO2 to revitalise the skin), Rasul and mindfulness therapy, but even if you opt for a something a little more traditional, you're in very good hands.
Treatment to try: The Wellness Path, €150
Straffan, Co. Kildare | Overnight spa packages from €240 per person | kclub.ie
Lough Erne Resort
Overlooking the Fermanagh lakelands, the spa at Lough Erne Resort takes its influence from the Thai spa experience. Relaxing treatment rooms include space for couples to enjoy treatments together, while the spa also boasts a traditional Thai massage room (with a specialist Thai massage couch!), an aromatherapy steam room, a sauna, jacuzzi, tropical rain shower and an infinity pool. Given that every experience in the spa is designed for deep relaxation, and the resort itself is home to five-star accommodation, a weekend here would be far more refreshing than a long haul flight to Bangkok, don't you think?
Treatment to try: Traditional Thai Massage, from £89
Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh | Overnight spa packages from £130 per person sharing | lougherneresort.com
BrookLodge and Macreddin Village
The Wells Spa at BrookLodge and Macreddin Village combines beautiful interiors with state-of-the-art facilities, including a mud chamber, aroma baths, Hammam massage room, Finnish baths, flotation rooms, heated loungers, an outdoor hot tub and a unique indoor-to-outdoor pool. Yep, we're sold! The treatments are based around the Wells Spa's organic philosophy, and use a curated selection of natural products. But even without a trip to the spa, BrookLodge is a beautiful spot for a weekend break - we love the organic Strawberry Tree restaurant, the cosy country pub, Acton's, and the gorgeous grounds, which are perfect for long, refreshing walks.
Treatment to try: Lucy Annabella Organics Body Experience, €75
Aughrim, Co. Wicklow | Overnight spa packages from €224 per person sharing | brooklodge.com
No.1 Pery Square
If you fancy combining your spa weekends with a city break, No.1 Pery Square in Limerick is just the place. Set in the original basement of a Georgian townhouse, the spa feels a million miles away from the bustle outside, boasting a herbal cocoon, coal bunker sauna, Irish mist shower, and zen garden. Home to an extensive range of Voya treatments, it's an idyllic hideaway for anyone who wants the best of both worlds!
Treatment to try: Voya Resurfacing Radiance Facial, €75
Limerick City | Overnight spa packages from €189 per person sharing | oneperysquare.com
Fota Island Resort
The spa at Foto Island Resort is all about pampering and relaxation. Surrounded by woodland views, guests are encouraged to use the hydrotherapy pool and thermal suites before indulging in something from the spa's extensive list of treatments. Many contemporary and innovative treatments are on the menu, so this is the place to come if you want to try something new. The selection of hydrotherapy baths (the menu includes grape, seaweed, green tea and chocolate!) is among the highlights, and there are also also some lovely treatments for couples.
Treatment to try: Les Luneïdes Envelopment Ritual, €145
Fota Island, Cork | Overnight spa packages from €155 per person sharing | fotaisland.ie
Park Hotel
Perhaps one of the most idyllic spots on our list, Park Hotel is located on the shores of Kenmare Bay, and Sámas Spa is perfectly positioned to take in the glorious views. With glass pavilions and an outdoor vitality pool, this beautiful spa brings you even closer to nature. Named after a Celtic phrase for Indulgence of the Senses, Sámas Spa offers a curated selection of signature treatments and rituals that will have you switching off in no time.
Treatment to try: Sámas Nurturing Massage, €145
Kenmare, Co. Kerry | Three-night spa packages from €164 per person per night | parkkenmare.com
The Cliff House Hotel
The Well Spa at the Cliff House Hotel offers stunning sea views, in a laid-back, yet luxurious environment. With an infinity pool and outdoor seaweed baths, it provides an authentic and serene countryside spa experience. Beyond the spa, guests can enjoy stunning food, along with yoga, sea-kayaking and horse riding on the estate, making the Cliff House Hotel the perfect backdrop for a complete and total switch-off.
Treatment to try: Out to Sea Face and Body Treatment, €125
Ardmore, Co. Waterford | Overnight spa packages from €398 per double room | cliffhousehotel.ie
Muckross Park
Tucked away in Killarney National Park, the Spa at Muckross boasts a Gothic-inspired design, a calming vitality pool and a thermal suite. Overlooking the Bluepool River and the hotel's private gardens, the spa features a herbal sauna, steam room, ice fountain, tropical rain shower area and outdoor hot tub. And that's before we even get into the treatments - Muckross Park Spa partners with Pevonia Botanica to create some truly heavenly facials, massages and body rituals.
Treatment to try: Back Ritual with Aromatic Moor Mud, €85
Killarney, Co. Kerry | Overnight spa breaks from €340 per double room | muckrosspark.com
Need a quick pamper fix? Check out our lists of the best blow dry bars in Dublin, the best nail bars in Ireland, and the best barbers in Ireland.
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