Woman in a white spa robe sits in an outside seating area with a modern firepit in the foreground
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Spa Review: Luxury Weekend at Galgorm Resort and Spa, Northern Ireland

Landscaped gardens of spa with river running to the left

The Galgorm Resort and Spa in Northern Ireland is a luxury spa resort set in stunning landscaped grounds with a large river flowing and plenty of facilities on offer from spa thermal rooms, to restaurants, to a gym, and so much more. It truly is a place to relax and switch off from the world around you.

Raj and I went to stay there in April 2017 and it was a dreamy stay there. This is our honest review of our luxury spa weekend stay including the corner suite option.

Large white building in Georgian style with large windows, the sky is bright blue with a few faint white clouds

Arriving at the Galgorm Resort and Spa

It was a refreshing morning in late April when we boarded an early morning flight at Birmingham Airport to make the short journey over to Belfast International.

I’ll be honest, I was feeling a little on the sleepy side given our 5am alarm, but that feeling was soon met with excitement when our driver picked us up in a top-of-the-range Range Rover to take us to the Galgorm.

Galgorm Resort and Spa is a luxury spa hotel located just 40 minutes away from the airport and the city of Belfast.

As we arrived we were delighted to see that our home for the next three days was a lush, green haven of landscaped gardens, a tumbling river, and an elegant hotel. It truly is picture-perfect.

Tumbling river over rocks on the left and landscaped gardens and hotel on the right

Breakfast at The Galgorm

We arrived just in time for breakfast, a full spread of deliciousness set in a conservatory overlooking the river. The great thing about coming in springtime is the abundance of flowers and the matures in full bloom.

Bowl of chorizo and eggs with a pot of coffee and in the background the window looks out into the gardens

River view from inside the restaurant

Staying in the suite at The Galgorm Spa Resort

With our bellies full of food we checked into our room, one of the most stylish suites I have ever stayed in. It was instant love.

The suite was elegantly designed with carefully chosen furniture, a fire that connected both rooms, a wrap-around balcony, a kitchenette that was actually an elaborate cocktail station, window seats, an enormous bed, a beautiful bathroom with a large bath, and a view over the stunning grounds.

Large hotel suite with mid-century modern style furniture

Modern bathroom with two sets of sinks and mirrors with LED lights

Woman sits on a window seat gazing out of the window onto the gardens below

The suite was perfect.

As soon as we arrived, I must admit, I had a short nap (thanks, 5am start!). But as soon as we were settled in, we donned our white robes provided for in our wardrobe and made our way down to the spa.

Gardens of the spa with tulips in the foreground and small buildings in the rear

Woman in a white spa robe sits in an outside seating area with a modern firepit in the foreground

The spa at the Galgorm resort

The spa area spans two indoor areas and a series of outdoor cabins and pools, all facing out over the River Maine, a large flowing river on which the Galgorm Resort and Spa is situated.

We spent our time soaking in the outdoor hot tubs, relaxing in the various steam rooms and saunas, and just switching off from the outside world.

Bird's eye view of woman in the hot tub she is holding up her hair looking up and giving the peace sign

Woman sits in a sauna with dual aspect floor to ceiling windows that look out over a river

Silhouette of woman in an indoor swimming pool

Woman in a bikini floating in an indoor swimming pool

Swimming pool

The spa has a large indoor pool, perfect to get a decent swim on. I do like to stretch out with a swim Attached to the pool is both a large wood sauna and an ice room with real snow! That was certainly a cool experience!

Over the shoulder of a woman opening a wooden door to an ice room at the spa

The River Room

I loved the River Room, a cabin space with large floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the river. It was so peaceful there and ideal for meditation and yoga.

Silhouette of woman sitting in a yoga pose looking out over a window from the studio into the gardens

Woman in white spa robe sits in rocking chair looking out at the river through large windows from a meditation room

Celtic Sauna

Raj’s favourite was the Celtic Sauna. A few times a day the Galgorm’s Sauna Master (I never knew that was a thing before!) takes you through a meditative experience in the sauna overlooking the river. Apparently, it’s inspired by the Finnish Aufguss ritual and uses towels and essentials oils to manipulate the air and the heat around you.

Hot tubs

The spa also has a few private hot tubs nestled down by the river where you can enjoy a bottle of bubbly, a view, and some private relaxation time.

Treatments

And of course, the spa offers a range of treatments to help loosen the muscles and aid that bliss.

Golf and Tennis

If golf or tennis is your thing, the Galgorm has got you covered there too. And there’s a fitness suite if you need to work your muscles whilst you’re away.

Food and Drink Options at the Galgorm

Close up of a plate of wilted spinach and grilled hake on a plate

Selfie of a woman in a red top, behind her through the window you can see some stables and horse looking out of one.

Gillies Restaurant

We stayed two nights at the Galgorm Resort and Spa so we managed to sample two of the restaurants on-site. First up was Gillies Restaurant, a bar, and grill, where we filled up on a massive three-course meal and a bottle of wine.

Oh, and there’s a stable right next to the restaurant. Perfect for selfies with the resident horses.

Nightime view of a brick gate entrance lit with coloured lights

Top view of 4 tapas plates and a bowl of sweet potato fries

Fratellis

On the second night, we wandered through the fairy-light lit courtyard to Fratellis, an Italian restaurant.

The hotel is also home to a gin bar which is home to over 300 gins! That’ll certainly keep you occupied.

Turn down service in room

Upon coming back to the suite after our meal we found that we’d had a turn-down service in the room, which was so thoughtful. We found a plate of shortbread and chamomile tea waiting for us on the coffee table. On the bed was a small box of chocolates. And the bed turned down ready for us to jump in.

Plate of z-shaped biscuits and two mugs with tea bags in them placed on the coffee table in the suite

We lit the fire, put our pyjamas on, and snuggled up on the sofa to sip our tea before bed. It was totally dreamy.

River Room for Breakfast

The next morning we took our complimentary newspaper (Raj is a fan of the Financial Times) down to breakfast in the River Room. Raj ordered a delicious Kedgeree and I opted for the Irish Breakfast. We sipped on strong coffee and eased into the day.

Man reading the Financial Times newspaper at the breakfast table with a pot of coffee. The windows show it is a sunny day and you can see some of the garden.

Baskets of bread laid out on the buffet table

Cheese platter with grapes, pots of yoghurt and granola, and at the back the bottles of ingredients to make a bloody mary

A large ice table with plates of meats and in the background are the bottles of ingredients to make a bloody mary

Table covered in white table cloth upon which a bowls of dried fruits and nuts

Top view of a table of breakfast dishes including kedgeree, poached egg, smoked salmon, meats, granola, coffee

The rest of the day was spent mulling about the spa or chilling out in our suite brainstorming ideas and putting the world to rights. It was so romantic and felt a million miles from anything else.

Woman in white spa robe snuggling up on outdoor sofas by the fire pit

Sunset view from the suite at the Galgorm

The rest of the Galgorm resort

On our final day I had to catch up on work so spent the afternoon in the lobby, on a sofa, tapping away on my laptop.

Tulips in the foreground and through them you can see people swimming in the outdoor pool

Rolls Royce

Meanwhile, Raj went for a wander around the expansive hotel grounds and stumbled across the two Rolls Royce. He was lucky enough to get a ride around the grounds with the head concierge and was beaming when he came back to tell me of his luxury car experience.

Sweeping driveway with manicured garden and two large statuesque pots either side of the drive

As the sun was going down in Northern Ireland we made our way back to the airport and home to Birmingham.

Final thoughts on the Galgorm Resort and Spa

We left the gorgeous Galgorm Resort and Spa feeling refreshed and relaxed.

I would recommend this place if you want a full spa day experience with a range of thermal rooms and hot tubs, classes and treatments, golf, tennis, and more.

All of this set in some of the most glorious natural landscapes. And if you can opt for the suite you are in for some ultimate luxury experience.

The Galgorm has lots of spa offers and spa packages, so if you would like a stay at the Galgorm hotel along with some luxury and relaxation, we recommend booking in some time.

We adored our time there and can’t wait to visit again soon.

Galgorm Useful information

  • Address: Galgorm Resort and Spa, 136 Fenaghy Rd, Ballymena BT42 1EA.
  • Website: https://www.galgorm.com/
  • Tel: +44 (0)28 2588 1001

The Galgorm Resort and Spa is located just 30 miles from Belfast.

We flew from Birmingham to Belfast airport.

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Thank you to Galgorm Resort and Spa for hosting us.

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