TRAVEL THE CLIFF AT LYONS Hide and Seek With windows shuttered and corridors empty for the first six months of the year, many hotels have taken the time to re-evaluate, refresh and rejuvenate. Jessie Collins picks just some of the most exciting new experiences to indulge in this summer. THE CLIFF AT LYONS What’s new Insider Tip Aimsir is upping its focus on its own garden produce, Cliff at Lyons guest rooms are all individually designed Best-loved for which is also to be used in the kitchens under the eye of and spread out between a selection of historic buildings Its laid-back luxurious feel and the fastest ever UK and former Aimsir chef de partie and now gardener, Tom that give you that taste of country life while maintaining Ireland two-star ranked Michelin restaurant, Aimsir. Downes, and his partner Stina. Over the summer, a new all the benefits of a luxury hotel. But there is also a There are award-winning spa treatments to be had at orchard will be introduced, along with a wild meadow selection of pet-friendly rooms if you fancy taking your The Well in the Garden, and with its gorgeous outdoor and additional vegetable beds which will be supplying pooch with you. Also don’t forget the Paddle and Picnic spaces, local history, canal walks, bike rides and paddle- the Cliff at Lyons restaurants. Chicken coops, pigs and package which gives you a one-night B&B stay plus SUP boarding there’s plenty to do. Sean Smith’s fresh take even beehives are also to be added, with the aim of session, and a picnic from their pantry, from €245 for two on classic Irish cuisine in The Mill has been a great bringing the Cliff at Lyons closer to self-sustainability. people. addition, all set in a series of picture-perfect, rose and New bedroom treats have been introduced too and are For more prices and packages, check out cliffatlyons.ie wisteria-covered cut-stone buildings. The Cliff at Lyons handmade exclusively for The Well at Cliff by Irish firm, may have tranquillity at its heart but at just 30-minutes Airmid with solid bars of citrus chamomile shampoo, from Dublin, retains a handy proximity to the city. Burren lavender body lotion and Atlantic seaweed soap. 32 TRAVEL GALGORM SPA & GOLF RESORT GALGORM SPA & GOLF RESORT Insider tip Check out the dedicated gin library, home to over Best-loved for 526 different types of gins, including the resort’s Its 163 acres of lush parkland and breathtaking first house spirit, Galgorm Estate Gin. We’d views of the River Maine which flows through the also recommend experiencing the snow cabin estate. It is also a favourite of golfing enthusiasts, at the thermal village which has a permanent ABOVE AND ABOVE RIGHT with one of Ireland’s finest Championship parklands winter landscape of powder snow and ice crystals CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA at Galgorm Castle, home of the ISPS Handa World maintained at a constant and chilly -10°C. Invitational. It also has a renowned spa and plenty Shepherd's Huts Bed & Breakfast experience from £315. of dining options, including the three AA Rosettes Galgorm.com official palace for the Bishops of Down and boasts twelve The River Room restaurant, as well as the more laid- acres of secluded gardens and woodland. back Gillies Grill overlooking the resort’s stables. CULLODEN ESTATE & SPA What’s new What’s new Last year, The Spa at Culloden underwent a significant The resort recently unveiled its new, enhanced Best-loved for renovation, adding new heat experiences and a new private thermal spa village, including a vitality pool on the Its independent, design-led experience. The five- medi-spa for guests and members. The hotel will also be shores of the River Maine, Palm House relaxation star Culloden Estate & Spa has recently joined bringing back one of the largest art and sculpture exhibitions area and bar, and a new salt cave for halotherapy the elite Small Luxury Hotels of the World on 26 June, showcasing a selection of Irish and international experiences. Galgorm has also just introduced a (SLH) group, a list of prestigious boutique and sculpture as well as art from Dali, Picasso, Warhol and selection of one-bed “shepherd's huts” in addition independently owned hotels across the world, Banksy. The hotel is also offering a new Bridgerton-themed to the riverside log cabins. Located in the Secret making it the only one in the North to be a afternoon tea plus an outdoor “Bollinger Bus” serving Meadow area, these promise an authentic woodland member. Lying just five miles from Belfast city Bollinger champagne. retreat experience, complete with outdoor baths to centre, it overlooks Belfast Lough and features get really close to nature. 98 bedrooms and suites. The hotel was once the Insider tip Ask for a guided art tour of the exhibition courtesy of gallery owners Oliver and Gerard Gormley, available daily at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Rooms are available from £300 and include breakfast. hastingshotels.com/culloden-estate-and-spa SHEEN FALLS LODGE Best-loved for This celebrated five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel in Kenmare, Co Kerry is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. Its 2AA Rosette The Falls Restaurant is well known for delivering sumptuous and seasonal dishes, with the mix of luxurious rooms, suites and villas providing plenty of accommodations choices for guests. What’s new The hotel has recently undergone a year-long refurbishment with the Easanna Wellness & Spa adding three additional treatment rooms, while the hotel’s interiors including the hotel lobby, The Falls Restaurant and bedrooms have all been SHEEN FALLS LODGE revamped. They have invested in the outdoor activities too, 34 with paddle boarding, archery, horse and cart excursions and clay pigeon shooting all added to the exisiting menu of diversions. Insider tip If you are handy with a fishing rod, a fishing lodge has stood on the grounds of Sheen Falls for centuries. Brendan, the resident ghillie, is well known for his years of expertise and local knowledge and can arrange guiding, equipment and licenses. And if you do land a big one, the hotel will invite you to bring your catch back to the lodge, where the executive chef, will cook it up for your dinner. Sheen Falls is running a three night saver package which gets you three nights’ accommodation in a newly refurbished room with the third night at a 50 per cent discount on the B&B rate and includes a full Irish breakfast each morning, dinner on two evenings, one in The Falls Restaurant, and one in the Sheen Lounge. Priced from €1,460 for three nights based on two people sharing. sheenfallslodge.ie DROMOLAND CASTLE CASTLE LESLIE Best-loved for The authentic castle experience with wonderful amenities and bird trails” to allow guests to experience the gives you private access to the castle gardens. The and grounds. The 16th century retreat has 400 acres of estate’s wildlife first-hand, in an West Wing also offers couples a private treatment private country estate, with archery, clay shooting, falconry, un-intrusive way. The estate has also introduced its room where they can indulge in a full body massage trout fishing and boating as well as resident deer, pheasants, own honeybees, providing honey which is served by one of Castle Leslie’s spa therapists. One night squirrels and ducks. The 18-hole championship golf course at the breakfast tables each morning. They also B&B, dinner, bubbly & spa treatment each costs €700 has a state-of-the-art practice facility too, with ten fully recently replanted the apple orchard in the third based on two people sharing. castleleslie.com automated driving bays, complete with Golf-Tech’s fully walled garden with over 50 new trees. automated Power Tees. There's also a swimming pool, tennis courts, gym, sauna, steam room, go-karting for kids and a spa. Insider tip THE K CLUB Try out the new alfresco dining offering in the What’s new walled garden and pick from a range of summer Dromoland Castle has undertaken a special green initiative, What’s new Irish foods which you can enjoy surrounded by Under new general manager Paul Heery (formerly firstly appointing Arek Gdulinski´ as its full-time sustainability fragrant flower and veg beds that have been officer. It have also introduced “Dawn to dusk nature, wildlife Adare Manor), The K Club has a new lease of harvested for hundreds of years. life, helped too by the opening this month of Room rates start at €600, check dromoland.ie for The Palmer, an all-day dining restaurant with more special offers and packages. a wraparound terrace with retractable roof and views over the resort’s greens and lakes. Serving early breakfast, lunch and dinner every evening, CASTLE LESLIE it is under the guidance of Andy Nolan (Chapter One, L’Autre Pied). The hotel has also launched What’s new afternoon tea with white-glove service as well as the Castle Leslie opened The West Wing in July last K Golf World featuring a series of state-of-the-art year. Situated in a private section of the castle, standalone golf simulators with eight spacious and it is a two-storey, two-bedroom suite with large high-tech bays. four-poster bed in the master bedroom, luxurious The K Club is running a Great Escape package from bathroom with a separate roll-top bath and walk-in €345 per night for two adults sharing for three nights shower along with a Juliet balcony where you can or €445 per night for two adults and two children (12 view the morning sunrise.