Last Updated on October 16, 2023

The Perfect Retreat in Northern Ireland: 

It’s not often you can say something is perfect. When speaking about an experience, or a holiday, you can often point to moments of perfection or fleeting feelings of sublimity, but it is especially rare, in this deeply flawed world, to be able to describe something as completely perfect. Therefore, when I tell you that a short stay at The Culloden is about as close to perfection as you can get, know I mean it with the utmost sincerity.

I’m probably getting ahead of myself here, so let’s start with The Culloden’s Fascinating history. Built in 1876 by William Auchinleck Robinson, a well-known Belfast-based stockbroker, the estate was predominantly made from stone quarried in Scotland and brought across the Irish Sea. Taking two whole years to build, the central building sits on the hill at Craigavad, ensuring panoramic views of the surrounding estate and beautiful Belfast Lough. Robinson named the estate after his wife Elizabeth Jane Culloden, and although the name stuck, it was more commonly referred to as the Bishops Palace in the late nineteenth century, when Culloden House became the official residence of the Lord Bishop of County Down.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that the beautiful Culloden House was made into a hotel. The Culloden now has over 100 deluxe bedroom suites, ranging from cosy twin bedrooms to decadent luxury apartment suites. The Spa at the Culloden also boasts a wide-ranging list of treatments and facilities, including a pool and sauna. The Culloden is undeniably the most respected five-star hotel in Northern Ireland and has played host to a number of world-famous musicians, politicians, and sporting heroes.

The hotel is just a fifteen-minute drive, or a half-an-hour train journey, from central Belfast making it both an ideal spot for a city getaway, or a country base while you explore the city. Not only does The Culloden have extensive and perfectly manicured grounds full of marvellous statuary, but the hotel is also surrounded by beautiful coastline walks. The walk from Seafront Road down to Cultra is gorgeous, it’s a perfect saunter along the coastline, even if you have to have to hop into the sauna upon your return to recover from the Belfast rain and wind. The beautiful surrounding scenery, combined with the deft design of the hotel, gives The Culloden a real sense of tranquillity.

The Culloden treads the line between having very traditional spaces and also very modern ones. The lobby and dining spaces feel particularly 19^th century, possessing classical and gothic elements that are somehow both grand and cosy, but on the flip side, both the rooms and the spa feel glossy and modern. The balance is struck very successfully, leaving guests able to easily traverse between the comfortable 19th-century world The Culloden naturally conjures, while being able to enjoy the benefits of lush five-star suites and a luxury spa.

I was lucky enough to stay in The Culloden’s spacious Crozier Suite, named after Bishop Crozier, who later became the Archbishop of Armagh. The room itself is spacious and set up with the utmost care, with the large windows allowing sunlight to flood the entire room. The bathroom is entirely decked out in marble and included a decadent bathtub and spacious shower. The half-a-dozen ESPA products, and the absolutely iconic addition of the Hastings duck provided in the bathrooms, were just the cherry on top of this unforgettable stay.

After finding the soft Culloden dressing gown and slippers, I headed down to the spa to test out the facilities. Arriving at the pool in your slippers and dressing gown, already clad and ready to go, is certainly the right call as it allows you to go from the spa back to your room without the fuss of a changing room. In total, I think I spent about three hours lounging beside The Culloden’s stunning pool, Jacuzzi and Sauna, blissfully relaxing in the spa that sparkles in the natural light. Though I didn’t try any of the Spa’s intensive treatments, they offer everything from specialised facial treatments to full-body massages, so it’s easy to find something that’ll suit you and your body’s needs.

After a few lengths of The Culloden swimming pool, I had worked up a significant appetite. The Cultra Inn is just a stone’s throw away from the main building and is the ideal casual dining option at the hotel. The Inn has a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a casual date night. I would highly recommend trying their Mushroom Arancini and the Char-grilled Pork Chop, as both were absolutely delicious. The Culloden also have options for fine dining and what looks to be a spectacular afternoon tea. The Lough Bar also has an all-day dining option, but the main draw is that they offer a great range of cocktails, including one of the best Sidecars I’ve ever had. 

The service, from the concierge to the dining staff, was absolutely delightful. Everyone I spoke to was very happy to chat about the history of the hotel, the surrounding area and how to make your stay as smooth as possible. Though the prettiness of the hotel and grounds easily make this a lovely place to stay, I would argue that it is the attentive and brilliant staff that make The Culloden a spectacular five-star hotel.

If you need ideas for what to do in Belfast while you’re there, our comprehensive guide to Belfast can be found here, and our music tour of Belfast can be found here.

 

The Culloden Estate and Spa:

 

Website:

https://www.cullodenestateandspa.com/

Address:

The Culloden Estate and Spa,
Bangor Rd,
Holywood
BT18 0EX