We all need to be indulged in a little pampering and relaxation every now and again, and there's no better place to escape the hectic city life than Galgorm Resort & Spa in Northern Ireland.About 40 minutes outside of Belfast, the resort boasts 163 acres of parkland and sits on the River Maine, making for a truly secluded and calming atmosphere.
Horse-riding and country walks are on the cards, with Galgorm's friendly staff always happy to advise you on the best routes depending on whether you're after a leisurely stroll or if you're an enthusiastic jogger looking for a challenge.However, the resort also caters for those days when the weather makes going outside unappealing. Try Afternoon Tea in the Conservatory where there is a wide variety of delicious cakes, soups and sandwiches, or spend time relaxing in your spacious bedroom – the superior guestrooms include TVs, sofas, and a luxurious bathtub so you can relax and rejuvenate.
Looking for some entertainment in the evening? Gillies Bar & Grill in the hotel has a great atmosphere with Cowboy-style decorations and booths, where you can enjoy everything from mouthwatering steaks to Thai chicken curries.After dinner, head over to the pub through the adjoining doors, where on Thursday nights you can listen to traditional Irish music live.One of the highlights at Galgorm is the deeply relaxing Thermal Spa, located in the hotel itself to make it easy to walk from your room to the spa in your robe.
Featuring everything from an infinity hydrotherapy pool and a sauna to heated relaxation loungers and aromatic steam rooms, there's even an ice fountain for those brave enough to rub the crystals into their skin for a rejuvenating – and refreshing – detox!The spa also boasts an outdoor Jacuzzi pool and outdoor hot tub by the River Maine, offering spectacular views and a totally calm, natural environment for a stark contrast to the fast pace of city life.For those looking to overcome tiredness, Galgorm has created Sleep Deeply, a powerful mind and body relaxation spa treatment. Heading to one of the spa's private treatment rooms, guests are given a list of options for their treatment right down to the kind of music they would like, to how much conversation they would like with their therapist.
The treatment then begins with a hydrating Rose Body Gel being applied, followed by a luxurious head to toe massage. Carefully applied pressures and Swedish techniques make for the ultimate calming experience, lulling you into a relaxed sleepy state, and relieving you of stress.When the treatment is over, you're taken to a quiet relaxation room with dimmed lighting to prolong the calming experience, and receive some sorbet and water for extra rejuvenation. The friendly therapists will also give you notes on aftercare following your treatment, so you can keep going even when you're home.To celebrate the launch of their new Sleep Deeply spa treatment, Galgorm Resort & Spa have put together a special 'Sleep Deeply Package' for the ultimate detox. The package includes overnight accommodation in a Superior Guestroom with a full Irish breakfast, a 3 course dinner in Gillies Bar & Grill, and a 55 minute Aromatherapy Associates Sleep Deeply treatment with a lavender eye mask gift, as well as use of the resort's thermal spa.Prices from £167.50 per person sharing. For more information head to Galgorm.com.