The best hotels for spa breaks in Ireland
An insider's guide to the top spa hotels in Ireland, including the best for vitality pools, relaxing treatments, refreshing saunas and steam rooms, in locations including Dublin, Mayo, Kerry, Laois and Donegal.
Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
8Telegraph expert rating
A five-star base in a spectacular setting amid the lakes of Killarney, where you'll feel at home whether you've booked to unwind in the spa, play golf, fish or explore the great outdoors. The menu of treatments and therapies includes facials, massages, scrubs and wraps. Facilities include an indoor heated pool with waterfall and adjacent whirlpool tub, as well as gym, thermal suite and several treatment rooms for couples. Each of the 74 rooms and suites has a view, but some look over garden or farmland, so try to book one on the lake side. Read expert review From ￡166per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Ashford Castle
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
9Telegraph expert rating
With a peerless Lough Corrib setting and innate grandeur, centuries-old Ashford Castle has long been known as one of Ireland’s best hotels. Extensive renovations have imbued the property with sufficient modern comforts to ensure it can stake a claim as one of the most characterful and successful hotels in Europe. A Victorian-style greenhouse houses a pool and spa. Activities range from fishing with a local ghillie, horse riding, and joining the Irish School of Falconry. Read expert review From ￡296per night
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Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland
8Telegraph expert rating
A wild grass covered Scandi-esque eco-lodge with a sparkling interior, the ultra-modern Samas spa is a chilled spot from which to survey the ever-changing tides. There are five treatments rooms where you can enjoy heavenly Sisley treatments and the knock-out thermal suites consist of a 40-degree thermal eternity pool open to the wilderness, a steam room, a tropical shower and knippe pool. To finish, a relaxation room with beds in which to tuck yourself up while enjoying floor-to-ceiling views of the ferns and pine forest. Read expert review From ￡256per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Marker Hotel
Dublin, Ireland
8Telegraph expert rating
The modern spa and wellness area is the big draw here, and it's extremely impressive: by turns spacious and enveloping, with a cool, smooth palette of greys to create a sense of intimacy. The fabulous emerald-green infinity pool comes in at a generous 23 metres; there's also a commodious whirlpool tub, plus a very extensive range of treatments. We didn't try the pair of hammock-esque 'retro-cocoons' that hang from the ceiling and promise instant and immersive relaxation - but they did look inviting. Read expert review From ￡238per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Lough Eske Castle
County Donegal, Ireland
9Telegraph expert rating
Lough Eske has been garlanded with praise – and no wonder: this five-star hotel offers marvellous service and hospitality. And a splendid setting too: the hotel and its grounds lie on the shores of beautiful Lough Eske, surrounded by some of Donegal’s most rugged landscapes. The excellent Spa Solis looks out onto the hotel gardens: it’s modern and sleek, with indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, infinity pool and eight treatment rooms. Read expert review From ￡190per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Merrion Hotel
Dublin, Ireland
9Telegraph expert rating
The very lovely 18-metre swimming pool in The Merrion's Tethra Spa is especially worth experiencing: flanked by symmetrical columns and tiled in lapis lazuli-blue mosaic, this is as Roman as they come, and beautifully relaxing. A full range of spa treatments is available, with a choice of Espa and Darphin products, plus steam room, and gym with personal trainers. Spacious and light-filled Garden Wings to the rear enclose a pleasant half-acre quadrangle of fountains and manicured greenery. Rooms are beautifully appointed. Read expert review From ￡318per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Ice House Hotel
Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland
8Telegraph expert rating
The Ice House is swish, small and delightfully situated. Moreover, it features an evocative history to add to a luxurious present life – for it really was an ice store, built to serve the bountiful salmon fishery on the river Moy. Don’t neglect the Chill spa, with its lovely products created by Voya Seaweed Baths along the coast – and definitely don’t miss the outdoor seaweed bath on the deck overlooking the river; even on a chilly Irish day, it is both therapeutic and luxurious. A full range of treatments is on offer. Read expert review From ￡128per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Ballyfin
County Laois, Ireland
10Telegraph expert rating
Ballyfin is one of Ireland’s finest country houses, now restored to life with remarkable grace, and reopened as a luxurious hotel. The beauty of the house and its park, and the stratospheric standards of hospitality here, makes Ballyfin a truly remarkable place. The hotel spa includes a heated indoor pool, vitality pool and sauna. It also offers a full range of therapy treatments. Read expert review From ￡700per night
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InterContinental Dublin
Dublin, Ireland
9Telegraph expert rating
A handsome, friendly spot: come here for luxury, style and impeccable service in spacious surroundings a 10-minute taxi ride from the city centre. It's a great choice for weekending couples in need of a little pampering; business travellers seeking excellent facilities; and families after space and comfort. The swish spa features a 14-metre pool, hot tub, good gym and a relaxation area with herbal teas and daily newspapers on offer; plus treatment rooms, sauna and steam room. Espa is the brand of choice. Read expert review From ￡200per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com