Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast

The five-star Culloden Estate & Spa stands on the forested slopes of the Holywood hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the glorious County Antrim coastline. With stunning countryside views over the grounds, it is hard to believe the hotel is situated only six miles from Belfast City Centre and four miles from the city airport

Steeped in history, the hotel was once the official palace for the Bishops of Down, built for a bishop and fit for a king, and stands in twelve acres of beautiful, secluded gardens and woodland on the edge of Belfast city. The property remains the first choice for VIP's and celebrities, priding itself in providing exclusivity, beauty and privacy. Boasting elegant architecture, antique laden interiors, exquisite cuisine, beautiful décor, open fires, unsurpassed attention to detail, first-class service and spectacular views, the boutique hotel provides an unforgettable stay. As General Manager, Niall Burns, puts it “Personalisation is what we offer as standard here, we consistently do all we can to exceed expectations.”

The only member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World in Northern Ireland, Culloden Estate & Spa is part of Hastings Hotels, Northern Ireland's premier hotel group. Founded over fifty years ago, the Hastings portfolio has six luxurious hotels of character and distinction, across Northern Ireland.

Destination

The hotel is perfectly located on the suburbs of Belfast's gold coast; the small upmarket town of Holywood less than a mile away boasting quaint shops and impressive dining options. Cultra station on the hotel grounds provides easy access to Belfast and Bangor.

The area is not short of stunning landscapes. The Ards Peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty, combines epic coastal views with a host of activities from trout fishing to walking trails to links golf. One of the most outstanding gardens in the world, National Trust property Mount Stewart is open for guests to marvel at the Irish demesne, both beautiful and productive. Nearby, visitors can try their hand at traditional Irish Bread-making on the shores of Strangford Lough, learning how to master potato bread and soda bread from scratch. A little further, UNESCO World Heritage site Giant's Causeway is a sight to behold, an entirely unique geological formation.

Belfast city has a wealth of experiences to offer too. Located where Titanic was designed, built, and launched, Titanic Belfast tells the story of the great ship to this current day. A popular way to uncover the history of Belfast, Black Cab Tours are given by drivers who lived through the troubles and offer personal insight into the past and future of the city.

Design

The palatial surroundings with fine antiques and the highest levels of personal service combine to create a unique air of elegance. The boutique property boasts ninety-eight bright, spacious and individually decorated bedrooms and stunning suites that combine traditional comfort with every contemporary sophistication.

The luxurious Palace Suite has hosted a wide range of celebrities and dignitaries. The 100-square metre suite is arguably

one of the best hotel suites in Ireland. In the design, the intricate details of the artwork and interiors give the hotel a sense of place, celebrating the locality of the hotel and nearby North Down Coastal Path.

Heritage photography and artwork celebrate the richness of the area and have been cleverly reproduced and positioned in order of how they would be discovered whilst exploring the coast, supported by a series of Table Talkers which bring the images to life, with facts and stories of the area, and four OS maps showing the immediate environs through different periods.

Gastronomy

The hotel is an urban retreat and veritable playground offering world class culinary options. Whether indulging in homemade scones, served with Irish butter and County Down preserves, or a sharing platter of locally sourced artisan cheeses for lunch, epicureans will not be disappointed. The team are extremely passionate about food embracing the use of carefully selected local, seasonal ingredients to create the most delicious dishes. The island of Ireland has a proud heritage of farming and fishing, resulting in an abundance of sensational produce that the chefs use to artfully curate the menus.

The hotel restaurant, Vespers, is one of the finest in Northern Ireland. Showcasing views from dawn to dusk, Vespers brings together the splendour of the estate's grounds with the flavours of Northern Ireland using only the finest and freshest local ingredients, guests can dine in ultimate style surrounded by gothic grandeur.

Located in the beautifully landscaped grounds the Cultra Inn is one of County Down's finest bars and restaurants, perfect for relaxed dining, the menu offers local quality and seasonal produce whilst the bar has an impressive selection of classic cocktails and gins.

The Spa

The newly renovated spa provides a sanctuary for complete luxurious body and mind wellbeing. One of the top spas in Ireland and the UK, the spa is an oasis of tranquillity, offering ESPA treatments combining advanced techniques with ancient therapies to deliver the finest modern holistic therapeutic experiences in the world. There is ample space and time to fully rejuvenate before and after treatments, the new linear vitality pool provides floor to ceiling views of the gardens or relax in the Tylarium, Jacuzzi or eucalyptus steam room. The Health Club offers a variety of different classes including Aquafit, Yogalates and Pilates.

Whether visiting for a romantic escape, a spa break, getaway with friends or a multi-generational family trip, the Culloden Estate & Spa provides the perfect location for a truly memorable stay. Remaining somewhat undiscovered by the hordes of tourists, Northern Ireland is an ideal staycation for this summer, easily accessible by ferry for those wishing to avoid the hassle of flying.

Meet the team... Pictured opposite from left to right; Thomas Kuriakose (Sous Chef), Jonathan Wade (Head Concierge), Sam Denning (Food and Beverage Manager), Lindsay Myers Carroll (Front of House Manager), Niall Burns (General Manager), Rose O' Neill (Head Housekeeper), Johnny Matthewson (Executive Sous Chef), Eoin McGrath (Luxury Sales Manager) and Judith Hogg (Spa Therapist)