Thermal Village expands from the hotel down to the River Maine
NORTHERN IRELAND. The idyllic Galgorm Spa Resort is hidden away on lush parkland along the River Maine. This premier spa resort makes for the perfect countryside retreat with its homely interior and gorgeous landscape.
Atmosphere: Galgorm is an intriguing destination as it provides a mix of two distinct styles. The main hotel lobby and dining rooms are in the original building, which is reminiscent of an old country manor. In the common areas you find leather armchairs perched on cosy rugs and bookcases next to grand wood-framed fireplaces.
In the newer part of the hotel you find the spa area. Here the style changes and one will find modern décor and instead of warm fire places there are glass rooms that open up into the gardens.
Rooms: There are over 70 bedrooms in Galgorm including standard rooms, suites, and a few self-catering cottages on the periphery. The rooms are neutral in tone and colour and have views over the river or the countryside depending on what you book. I loved how spacious the rooms were and the plate of pastries left to welcome us was a nice touch.
The bathroom included separate shower and bath areas which was as far too many hotels these days are opting for having a shower head in the bath! Pet peeve.
Dining: We dined in the River Room Restaurant, which was awarded 3 AA rosettes for culinary experience. The ambiance of the River Room was intimate and romantic with dimmed lighting and soft background music – the perfect place for a special date. On the daily menu was a selection of beef, fish, or vegetarian, mostly created from local produce.
I could not fault the service at the River Room and the wine list was impressive. I found the food to be good but missing a little pizazz to make it stand out.
Spa: Of course this is all you really want to know about! The spa at Galgorm was superb, very much it’s raison d’être. The relatively new Thermal Village expands from the hotel down to the River Maine and includes several outdoor hot-tubs steam rooms, sauna rooms, and Jacuzzi pools. Inside guests may also choose from a range of treatments including Galgorm’s own signature treatments which last 85 minutes and consist of a combination of essence inhalation, massage, and facials.
Location: Galgorm is located in Ballymena in County Antrim, a 30-minute drive from Belfast International Airport or a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Dublin.
