Galgorm

Few spa resorts can match this setting: 550 acres of Northern Irish parkland, the River Maine running through the estate and a Thermal Spa Village that has to be seen (and experienced)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Galgorm Resort is thirty minutes from Belfast, close to both of the airports and within easy reach of the North Antrim Coast. Driving through the gates, parkland opens up immediately — mature trees, manicured grounds and, before long, a flash of the River Maine through the hedgerows. By the time we pulled up at the hotel, the working week already felt like somebody else's problem.

The resort is substantial — 125 guestrooms across a wide range of accommodation types, from Deluxe rooms and suites to Log Cabins, Shepherd's Huts and Forest Dens — but it wears its size well. Four restaurants include Gillies (casual brasserie), Fratelli (Italian) and the Conservatory for afternoon tea, plus The Palm House cocktail bar in the Walled Garden.

WHAT'S ON OFFER?

The Thermal Spa Village is the jewel of the resort and the reason most people come. Spread across four distinct gardens — Riverside, Forest Spa, Alpine and Walled — you'll need to a good amount of time to experience it all. Manicured paths wind between facilities, and the whole spa sits alongside the River Maine, which means water is never far from sight (or sound).

We checked in at the spa's own dedicated reception — separate from the main hotel — where we were welcomed warmly, oriented to the facilities and introduced to the Galgorm app, which turned out to be a genuinely useful companion throughout the stay. The changing areas are well-equipped and spotless, with good showers, full-size products and plenty of locker space.

Facilities across the Thermal Village include indoor and outdoor heated pools, a Vitality Pool, a Salt Cave, a Snow Cabin, a Celtic Sauna, experience showers and multiple relaxation spaces including The River House, which frames the Maine like a painting. We lost a good hour simply moving between rooms.

The private hot tubs in the Alpine and Riverside Gardens deserve particular mention: each sitting in its own enclosed space, wood-fired and eco-friendly, with the river directly below. We were in Hawthorn with its spectacular views, and cocktail menu scannable by QR code. We ordered Prosecco and stayed much longer than planned.

The Celtic Sauna Aufguss ritual, led by Sauna Master Andre, was one of the highlights of the visit. Three ice balls infused with eucalyptus, lemon, lavender and geranium, circulated through intricate towel work to a curated soundtrack. We left the sauna feeling thoroughly elated.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TREATMENT

We tried the Symphony of Touch massage (60 minutes, from £95).

My therapist, Seteso, collected me from the waiting area having already read my pre-completed digital consultation form.

This treatment takes places on a Gharieni augmented massage bed, which uses sensors to convert the therapist's movements into live soundscapes and vibrations in real time. Seteso opened with a breath ritual — essential oils and a moment of stillness — before moving into deep tissue work that was confident, precise and entirely what I had asked for. The soundscape shifted with her movements in a way that felt natural rather than gimmicky.

Next up: Sound & Soul Therapy (30 minutes, £90) on the Gharieni Satori bed — a touchless session that delivers sound frequencies into the body via guided meditation.

Seteso walked me through to The Orangery afterwards — a private relaxation space of swing seats overlooking the spa garden and river — and arrived shortly after with a complimentary mango sorbet and herbal tea.

FOOD FACTS

Spa guests can eat en-robe at Elements, the spa eatery housed in the Halodome structure within the Riverside Garden. The menu is unfussy and fresh — salads, pho dishes, paninis, pastries and hot dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. We both enjoyed the goat’s cheese and roast beetroot salad with candied pecans, Parma ham, onion jam and toasted sourdough in a beetroot and honey dressing. Light but satisfying – and exactly right for a spa lunch. The carrot cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce that followed was considerably less restrained, and unapologetic about it.

In-room dining that evening delivered roasted cod on cauliflower purée with a fresh green salad — perfectly cooked and generously portioned.

SWEET STAY?

We stayed in 407, a 32-square-metre Deluxe room in warm contemporary tones with a King Koil bed that made it very difficult to get up in the morning. The marble bathroom had a separate bath and shower, full-size toiletries and lighting that actually flatters. An Aqua Libra filtered water tap in-room and a complimentary Galgorm bottle meant chilled water was always to hand — a small but noticeable detail.

The balcony was a thing of beauty. We stepped out to find river views on one side and the thermal village below, still steaming gently in the dusk. 

WE LOVED

The private hot tub Hawthorn: wood-fired warmth, the River Maine below and Prosecco on demand. We could have stayed there for the rest of the day.

The Celtic Sauna Aufguss with Andre: multi-sensory, masterfully delivered and unlike anything we have experienced in a UK or Irish sauna. Not to be missed.

The Symphony of Touch with Seteso: Innovative technology paired with a skilled therapist who genuinely read the brief/genuinely knows her stuff.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded The Spa at Galgorm a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its exceptional Thermal Village, expertly delivered and genuinely innovative treatments, excellent locally sourced food and warm, knowledgeable service. The setting alongside the River Maine — and the sheer generosity of what is on offer across the estate — makes it one of the finest spa destinations in the UK.