On a girly weekend to the renowned West Cork hotel, Rachel Sandall decides Inchydoney Island & Spa is one of Ireland�s premier destination hotels (and spas!)
I love my husband, but when I was invited to visit Inchydoney Island & Spa (famous for its award winning spa), I knew that only my girlfriends would be able to fully appreciate the experience. So I left my better half at home, quite content I should add, with a Sky box, a weekend of M & S meals and the responsibility of babysitting our kitten.
It took us about four hours to get to Inchydoney from Dublin. The hotel is situated right on the coast of West Cork, near Clonakilty. It’s a long trip, but the second you see at the views of one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches, you completely forget the journey. The Inchydoney staff are there to greet weary travellers with a refreshing drink and the famous West Cork welcome.
Rooms with a view are usually the exception at hotels, but at Inchydoney, they are the rule. Every part of the hotel is built to capitalise on the world class vistas, including the wedding function room. With huge picture windows and a modern, yet unimposing design, the function room manages to get the most of the views and still leave room for the couple to leave their mark. The room also has its own balcony where guests can take in the views and enjoy the West Cork scenery. Inchydoney is an ideal wedding location because not only do you get to get married in one of the most beautiful locations in Ireland, but your guests will get a great weekend break as well!
After our arrival we headed to the Gulfstream Restaurant for dinner where we enjoyed five courses of fresh seafood, caviar and scrumptious desserts prepared by Head Chef Adam Medcalf. The Gulfstream menu is inspired by a modern French and light Mediterranean palette, and is perfected by local Irish ingredients. The restaurant walls are almost entitely windows, so no matter where you are you can take in the beach views. Being wined and dined by the Gulfstream was the perfect way to kick off our weekend of complete relaxation.
The Inchydoney spa is renowned in Ireland and after a visit, there’s no room to doubt why. Inchydoney Island is home to Ireland’s first Thalassotherapy Spa, which is a combination of the two Greek words ‘sea’ and ‘medical.’ Treatments are based on the use of seawater, sea muds and seaweed; the therapists are methodical and know just how to bring visitors to the point of complete relaxation. The Inchydoney spa journey is second to none. The attention to detail and quality facilities help to give visitors the ultimate spa experience. From the second you check in at reception, to having your treatment and then enjoying the relaxation area, Inchydoney bids visitors to come and leave the stress at the door...and you do. |
|
The term ‘destination spa’ is thrown around a lot in Ireland, but finding the real thing can be difficult. What makes a hotel worthy of the title? A destination spa should be plush and luxurious, it should have impeccable service, have breathtaking surroundings and above all, it should be an escape for patrons. Sometime after our warm welcome, five course meal, spa experience and having a glass of wine on our balcony, I decided that the title more than fits for Inchydoney.
Contact:
Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Clonakilty, West Cork
Tel: + 353 (0) 23 8833143
Web: www.inchydoneyisland.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Like this?
Comments
Have something to say about this article? Leave a comment!