RTE Ireland: Ashford Castle named Ireland's best hotel spa in World Spa Awards

Fri 22 October 2021

Ashford Castle has much to celebrate this week, as the opulent hotel was named Best Hotel Spa in Ireland by the World Spa Awards 2021.

The stunning 800-year-old castle in Co. Galway has picked up the award for six years in a row – every year that the awards have been running – establishing it as one of the best spas in the country and placing it at the very top of our to-visit list.

The World Spa Awards "serves to celebrate and reward excellence in spa and wellness tourism", it says on its website. Founded in 2015 to highlight the successes of the wellness industry, the awards connect spa specialists and celebrate the leaders in the industry, which has boomed in popularity in recent years.

Spas and hotels enter the awards themselves, and once a shortlist has been created industry experts are invited to vote online for their top picks.

It's not surprising that Ashford Castle's spa has been so highly praised, given the jaw-dropping retreat: featuring five treatment rooms, an invigorating Hammam, relaxing steam room and a relaxation pool, and decorated with three exquisite seashell chandeliers and a striking Tree of Life tile mural, it's a unique and mesmerising space.

The spa also overlooks the lake surrounding the castle, and includes a salon and a gym.

Sharing a photo of the spa team to their Instagram account, Ashford Castle celebrated their win, saying "Congratulations to Michelle, our Spa Manager, and the wonderful Spa team for going the extra mile and ensuring our guest have an extraordinary experience".

The majestic hotel wasn't the only Irish winner, however, as Le Jardin Spa in Moygashel, Dungannon in Co. Tyrone, was awarded the title of Best Day Spa in Ireland.

The unique spot draws inspiration from gardens and serenity, and has a "particular emphasis on French classic style and pays homage to areas such as Provence and Grasse", the website says.

Including a thermal spa, an infrared sauna and a hydrotub among other amenities, it's no wonder it's a popular spa destination.