Lough Erne Resort looks to the future with new collaborations
CURRENTLY celebrating its 15th birthday, the Lough Erne Resort is ageing with style as the team behind the five-star luxury resort looks to the future with fresh new ideas including unique collaborations that set it “a world apart”.
This month, the resort’s Thai Spa has launched its latest collaboration, an exclusive marrying of therapeutic expertise from Thailand with ancient sustainable seaweed benefits from Ireland courtesy of its new partnership with leading Irish lifestyle brand, VOYA Organic Beauty.
VOYA’S organic, sustainable seaweed-based products are carefully developed on the West Coast of Ireland, only an hour away from the resort which resides on a 600-acre peninsula amid the Fermanagh lakelands.
Visitors to the Lough Erne Resort can now avail of the ultimate ‘East Meets West’ spa therapies, and last week, The Impartial Reporter was invited to experience the Thai Spa’s collaboration with VOYA at a special media event on Thursday, September 29.
As part of the new collaboration, the resort has developed its own truly unique signature treatment called ‘Salute the Sun’.
This experience is designed to showcase the combination of ancient Thai massage technique with VOYA’S sustainable products and treatments, which are rooted in the ancient Irish therapeutic seaweed bathing tradition which dates back 300 years.
During the event, invited guests were offered the opportunity to sample the treatment, which began with a Thai herbal poultice massage featuring VOYA herbs of orange, clove, and ginger along with nourishing seaweed oils. This was followed by a warm spiced mud wrap using mineral-rich peat linking the peatlands of Fermanagh, with warming spices evocative of Thailand. The treatment concluded with a stress-relieving face and scalp massage.
Stephanie Coogan, manager at The Thai Spa, Lough Erne Resort said: “This new collaboration further supports our established, extensive choice of treatments to fully rejuvenate our visitors. At Lough Erne Resort we cater for all needs, from the gentle massage techniques of VOYA, replicating the lapping, rhythmical movements of the water that sooth and relax, to the deeper techniques used in traditional Thai massage that realign and balance the body, mind and soul.
“Our new signature treatment is a true fusion of Ireland and Thailand. This is a truly unique 90-minute experience that will take our guests from ‘East to West’, stimulating the senses and relaxing the mind.”
In celebration of the new collaboration, a launch promotion entitled ‘VOYA Tranquil Tides’ is available at the Thai Spa from October 24 to 30. Visitors can enjoy a 60-minute treatment, relax and rebalance with the ‘Mindful Dream’ back, neck and shoulder massage combined with an energising ‘VOYA Discovery’ facial experience. Bringing together the benefits of all treatment types, to leave recharged with radiant skin and a sense of pure relaxation.
The experience includes access to the spa facilities, refreshments in the relaxation area and a light lunch in the Blaney bar for a very special promotional rate which can be found at www. lougherneresort.com.
Local produce
Lough Erne Resort’s partnership with VOYA also reflects its wider philosophy of supporting innovative local businesses which includes the resort’s culinary offerings, a sample of which was provided during the event thanks to culinary director Noel Mcmeel, a champion of quality, locally-sourced produce.
A take on a Buddha bowl, Noel’s delicious creation consisted of Lough Erne Bircher Muesli, featuring flaxseed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, chia seed and goji berries, all by Co. Armagh company Linwoods Natural Plant Goodness. This was served with local honey from Noel’s own beehive and locally produced yoghurt. In keeping with the theme of the event, a sprinkling of seaweed topped off the dish which was washed down with Longmeadow apple juice, also produced in Co. Armagh.
Following the ‘Salute the Sun’ taster treatment and use of the Thai Spa facilities, the invited guests were treated to the new ‘Mind and Body Afternoon Tea’ curated by Noel and head chef Stephen Holland which will launch later in the year. Noel exuded passion as he described the locally-sourced and homemade elements of the afternoon tea.
Using family recipes passed down to him, Noel’s scones were home baking at a new level, resulting in a perfectly crisp exterior with soft, fluffy centre. Cut perfectly in two, they kept their shape providing the perfect vehicle for a lathering of freshly made apple butter and a healthy dollop of clotted cream.
Savoury highlights included a duck egg sourdough sandwich, honey-baked gammon and wholegrain mustard on homemade wheaten bread and a chicken and bacon pin-wheel wrap.
Although the flavours were sensational, it was the textures that elevated the taste experience, particularly when it came to the sweet treats with the light yet deliciously moist sponge cake, dipped in smooth caramel and topped with a golden hazelnut crunch proving an all-round favourite. The afternoon tea was of course accompanied by a choice of teas ranging from traditional Irish Breakfast to the warming Whiskey Cream infused option.
Resort refurbishment
It was recently announced that the Lough Erne Resort will undergo a multi-millionpound upgrade programme to reinforce its credentials as a unique “world apart” leisure destination.
During the media event, the resort’s marketing director Jonathan Gallagher and social media manager Aoife Teague gave the invited guests a preview of the designs for the refurbishment, which will take inspiration from the decor of English country manor houses.
A first-look of the new bedroom design gave an insight of what is to come - a refreshing neutral palette complimented with pops of colour consisting of bold tealgreen shades and rich rust orange tones, inviting warmth. Botanical artworks add personality to each room and the contrasting textures of fabrics used within the space provided the element of luxury the resort is renowned for.
Looking to the future with its exciting new plans and forward-thinking collaborations, the Lough Erne Resort
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Aoife Teague gave the invited guests a preview of the designs for the refurbishment, which will take inspiration from the decor of English country manor houses