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Culloden Estate and Spa – 5 bubbles
A storybook building with a turret. Antiques, silks and velvets in the rooms. Fantastic facilities in the pool and health club. Idyllic Irish views from every window. A twinkling chromotherapy steam room. Mesmerising massages. Excellent local food and wine. Had Sedate Spy been invited into a fairytale? Happily, it's a spa fairytale you can book, and where you can let the luxurious Culloden Estate weave its magic from Dawn to Dusk.
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
The telephone receptionist was nothing short of congenial in arranging my booking.
First impressions?
Culloden Estate hotel is just five miles from Belfast city centre, sitting high on the Holywood Hills, on the eastern side of Belfast Lough. The hotel overlooks the Antrim coastline. You're surrounded by stunning views and acres of natural beauty. The Gothic mansion, built in 1876, is a truly stunning, very charming old building with a princess turret and tower. As you turn into the grounds, you are greeted by statues dotted around the beautifully manicured lawns and the very well kept, picturesque gardens.
How did they welcome you?
Friendly, smiling staff met us with a warm Irish welcome and smoothly booked us into the hotel. A member of staff parked our car, and another member of staff gave us a brief history of the Culloden Estate hotel while showing us to our room -- the Amethyst Suite. A good start.
What happens next?
The Amethyst Suite is built on two floors with two separate bedrooms and bathrooms (one above and one below). The suite is stylishly decorated in white and amethyst (of course) with a huge two-foot crystal taking centre stage. Both bedrooms and bathrooms are individually decorated and also have their own televisions and temperature/light control systems. You can enjoy spa treatments in the privacy of the Amethyst Suite, but we wanted to check out the spa and health club. Once we had taken in the wonderful view from the windows and unpacked our bags, we went downstairs to explore.
The facilities:There is a good range of facilities on offer at Culloden Estate. We started with a peek at the very modern, new looking, spacious Fitness Studio. The glass front provides plenty of natural daylight while treating you to yet more stunning views of the hotel grounds. This gym has an extensive selection of high-tech workout equipment: cardio machines, free weights and floor space. Space in a gym really does make all the difference, and there's plenty at Culloden. There are fully qualified instructors on hand and the equipment is fitted with the latest Cardio Theatre entertainment system.
The leisure pool is at the centre of the health-club complex. As we walked through from the Fitness Studio, the pool area resembled a bright, transparent cathedral with its giant glass dome reflecting the sunlight. There was a scattering of relaxation loungers around the edges of the pool: maybe slightly too few for a pool of this size. Next, we went off for a soak in the heat and bubbles of the Jacuzzi, followed by a short stint in the marble eucalyptus steam room under the twinkling chromotherapy lights (very relaxing). I had just enough time to squeeze in a light lunch at the Mezzanine restaurant before my treatment. It was very difficult to make a final choice but eventually I opted for a healthy, but extremely delicious, salmon salad. With muscles relaxed and hunger subdued, it was time to spa.
The Spa: The Spa at Culloden Estate had a million-dollar makeover in September 2008, when Susan Harmsworth, ESPA's managing director, redesigned the spa. There are eight treatment rooms at Culloden, and two relaxation rooms. My warm welcome at the spa reception was followed by an initial short consultation with my therapist to discuss any medical or personal concerns. Our consultation took place in a very stylish area just to the side of reception. Once you have left the reception area, you leave the real world behind. Behind the spa reception lie curved, softly lit corridors. My therapist led me to one of the spa's small, private dressing areas. The room was clean and snug, and beautifully scented by ESPA candles. After I'd changed into my robe, ready for my treatment, I went to one of the spa's two relaxation rooms. "Dawn" is the pre-treatment relaxation room. In Dawn, you can drink tea or just water while you wait to be collected by your therapist. I waited in the relaxation room for a chilled few minutes before my therapist collected me, and took me to a spacious and dimly-lit treatment room. Before my treatment, my therapist gave me an in-depth consultation so she could customise my treatment. Before the treatment began, she asked me to choose what lighting and music I would like, and finally, what fragrance I preferred. The calming music and serene atmosphere really set the tone for my experience.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an ESPA Aromatherapy Massage (55 minutes, £77). I chose the ESPA De-Stresser massage, although I could have also tried a Detoxifier, Muscle Warmer, Jet Lag Reviver or Immune Booster.
What were the treatments like?
The massage uses Swedish massage techniques, and aims to improve lymphatic drainage, and relax tense muscles. My therapist started the treatment by drizzling warm ESPA oil my back as I stretched out on the heated treatment bed. I began to relax and unwind. My therapist checked that the pressure she was applying was acceptableand then began to massage. I drifted away to a state of complete bliss. My therapist was extremely skilful and I thoroughly appreciated the particular attention she paid to my stiff shoulders. The treatment finished with a glorious head massage.
How did you feel afterwards?
Calm. Relaxed. The head massage had driven away the last signs of tension and I can honestly say that I felt no tension, fatigue or stress.
What happens afterwards?
After leaving me on my own for a while to slowly awaken, my therapist led me to the second of the relaxation rooms. "Dusk" is the post-treatment relaxation area. Dusk is dimly lit and very quiet -- designed for optimum relaxation. I think I may have dozed off again…
Was it worth it?
My 55-minute ESPA Aromatherapy massage was £77, and it was worth every penny.
What else could you have?
Culloden's signature treatments include Thai massage, reflexology, Reiki, deep sports massage, Swedish massage and Indian head massage. ESPA treatments include facials and massages, hot-stone therapy and wraps. There's a range of treatments on offer for male spa-goers, including a Sportsman's Tonic mud exfoliation and massage, and The Ulsterman face treatment, which uses hot towels. You can also enjoy manicures, pedicures, fake tans, and beauty treatments.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
I wish I had known just how much there was to do at Culloden. If I'd had more time before lunch, I would definitely have used the high-tech gym facilities and spent a bit longer relaxing in the eucalyptus steam room.
Any special features?
Culloden's AA-rosette Mitre Restaurant: the food was outstanding and the service second to none. It was a busy Friday evening and the restaurant was full, but the tables had enough space between them and we weren't forced to overhear any other conversations. The dining on offer was a mixture of classical and modern European cuisine, featuring locally produced Irish items. Our meal was very good and the wine excellent!
Who do you think would like it?
Absolutely anyone who likes a friendly and relaxed spa with personalised treatments and skilled therapists.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave Culloden Estate 5 bubbles. We had a fantastic day. The spa facilities at Culloden are top class, and the atmosphere in the spa and hotel is professional yet not intimidating. Every friendly member of staff seems to be focused on you, and your pleasure alone. Lastly, the Culloden Hotel's location is idyllic! This is a true 5-bubble spa.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
I would definitely go back for more! Next time, I'd like to try a treatment in the privacy of the Amethyst Suite.
We visited Culloden Estate in March 2009
See also:
* Contact Details for Culloden Estate and Spa
* Our Spa Spies review ESPA products
* Massage
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