Slieve Donard Resort & Spa

Using the finest local produce to a perfect pint, your appetite and expectations will be well and truly satisfied

If you fancy indulging in a bit of first class luxury in Northern Ireland, the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa is the place to find it. Firstly, it’s part of the Hastings Group of hotels, which guarantees high levels of service in all areas. Secondly, its reputation as a destination hotel for its spa climbs higher with each season. Thirdly – well we can’t number the attractions here because there are so many.

Slieve Donard has six acres of stunning private grounds. Its natural environment has a backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, which provide a spectacular view from the hotel’s windows and gardens. Stroll through the gardens, enjoy that view, then carry on for  a brisk walk along a strand of golden beach just yards away. On the rear side of the hotel, the Royal County Down golf links means plenty of space to knock a tiny ball around if you so choose. Another few moments walk takes you right into the heart of the seaside town of Newcastle, with its elegant atmosphere, busy little shops and boutiques, and all the handy facilities you need too. This is one great location for one great hotel and we are so glad we’ve come across it. 

The hotel was originally a Victorian Railway Hotel building of grandeur. She’s quite an old lady these days, built 115 years ago. The mega million pound refurbishment and spa addition has taken nothing of that gentile Victorian character away. Red brick creates a majestic façade of turrets and tall tower rising into the sky. So striking is the architecture, you will spot the hotel as you drive in round the coast on the approach road to Newcastle. The entrance is tucked in off one of the town’s smaller roads. Just look for the flags proudly flying at the gated entrance and you know you’ve arrived. Step one foot inside and you will feel you’ve arrived. A team of serious professionals headed by General Manager John Toner are ready and waiting to fulfil your every whim. And unlike some hotels that have this kind of reputation for luxury, you won’t find a stuffy atmosphere here. Yes, the service will be exquisite – but it won’t be stand offish or cold.  Genuine Irish hospitality abounds within these walls. Every guest is made to feel like the most important guest in the world. That’s just what you want when you go to this level.

Slieve Donard has been in the Hastings group for forty years. During that time its seen some changes, but the bottom line of the group’s dedication to service and quality has existed all along. The 178 bedrooms are equipped to the highest standards. Characterful interior design, sensual fabrics, and modern colours are used to great effect at all levels of accommodation. Standard rooms have a very contemporary feel, carried through to their bathrooms as well. Luxury rooms have more space for relaxation. All rooms have flat screen tv and tea and coffee making facilities. The six suites here are hard to beat. King Coil beds and generously thick duvets mean the comfiest night’s sleep ever. Big windows over look the beach in some suites. Plenty of space too, with a sitting room area complete with cosy fire and flat screen tv to while a way a few hours and a dressing space with huge wardrobes. Spacious bathrooms have all the toiletries and extras you need – fluffy robes and slippers - the lot. You might not feel like moving far. But we reckon you will want to go downstairs at some point and enjoy the other facilities this hotel has to offer.

For a start there’s the very gracious Drawing Room where you can enjoy tea, coffee or a drink, and a glance through the papers, in peace and quiet. The gentle crackle of the fire in the grate might just make you want to nod off! If you do manage to stay awake, you can pit your wits against a companion with a game of chess. This room is comfortably homely and we like it. For those who need to keep in touch with business, the Internet room off the lobby is entered through a small annexe, now a museum showing old artefacts and photographs of the hotel down through its long history. Of course you’ll want to know about the dining here. Hastings Group commitment to sourcing the best local produce is showcased at the highest level of dining in the Oak Room Restaurant. The ambience here reflects the era of the hotel, and it’s oak panelled walls give the room its name. Impressive flower arrangements, white linen clad tables, gleaming china and glasses, sparkling silver candlesticks and immaculately folded napkins make a serious impression on the eye. The food makes a serious impression on the palate. 

Chef Vincent Duffy has been here fourteen years, and in that time has developed his own sense of style and flair. These days, that comes backed up with a range of local ingredients to play with – in keeping with the group’s commitment to provenance which runs across all hotels. Local rare breed beef, free range pork, duck and chicken, organic salmon from Glenarm, prawns and scampi from Kilkeel all feature on the dinner menu. We suggest you don’t miss the opportunity to sample the cuisine. Naturally at Good Food Ireland we sampled it for you, just so we know it’s as good as we say it is! Our appetiser of Tempura of Kilkeel Prawns had the lightest of crispy batters, and a zingy Pineapple and Mango Salsa with peppery Rocket Salad to accompany. You might want to try the chef’s own Seafood Chowder served with a soft Belfast Bap, or the smoked Lissara Chicken with mixed pepper and pistachio dressing. The chicken comes from just 17 miles down the road – how local is that? The chef smokes it himself. For a main we just had to try the Rack of County Antrim Lamb. This is from the Pedigree Dorset breed,  raised very successfully in this part of the country. We must say it was some of the best lamb we’ve eaten in a very long time – a generous rack of plump best end chops cooked beautifully pink in the centre. Its colcannon croquet potatoes and oven roasted garlic and shallots were delicious partners. When it comes to dessert – there is so much to choose from we couldn’t choose! So the chef kindly made up a tasting plate so we could report back to you in depth! We had a little bit of this and a little bit of that – Belgium Chocolate and Banana Cheese cake, Apricot Bakewell with Glastry Farm Vanilla Ice Cream, Coconut and White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Pineapple Salsa – we can safely tell you they were all yummy and not to be missed! You’ll also find a Lemon Carrageen Moss pudding on the dessert list if you want a taste of old Ireland. Modern Ireland presents us with a range of farmhouse cheeses - and these are here too for anyone who doesn’t do pud. We did both! For your sakes - of course! After dinner coffee is a special resort blend, and tea comes from Belfast based Thompson’s who do the lovely Punjana range of teas to suit all tastes. 

What we like also here is that you can choose glasses of wine to match your courses – the wine waiter is a serious man who will recommend by glass or bottle to match whatever you’re eating. With our first course we enjoyed a lively Italian Pinot Grigio – he recommended it so we went with it and it was perfect. With the lamb he suggested a Spanish red – Torres Iberico Crianza – a full and rich red for lamb and other red meats. Really good. The list has plenty of pleasures to be had by glass and bottle.

Lunch and Afternoon Tea are also served in the Oak room. If you fancy something lighter at any time of day, you can nip along to the Lighthouse Lounge. This modern space near the spa serves breakfast, and a light meals menu throughout the day. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients and a healthy approach to eating – but that’s not to say there aren’t a few indulgences to be enjoyed. The Lighthouse Lounge is situated at the far end of the hotel and enjoys fabulous mountain views. In the bar, the full complement of drinks includes a range of Irish whiskeys for discerning whiskey lovers. Bushmills, Kilbeggan, Jamieson’s, Tullymore, Blackbush, and Tyrconnell are all listed. You can enjoy a glass of wine also, or a good old pint of Guinness, in cosy surroundings. 

So we come to the Slieve Donard Spa – a destination spa to rival the best in Europe. A fully equipped gym is for free use to hotel guests, as are the two tennis courts outside.  Sixteen treatment rooms offer a range of pampering using the acclaimed Espa products. It’s pure sanctuary here – tranquil beyond belief, with low lighting and colour therapy lighting in each treatment room. You choose the light you like, and your therapist will determine your mood by your choice. This way she knows which areas she needs to work on to revive you completely. You can enjoy a hot stone therapy, Ayurvdic treatments and other oriental style massage techniques. Facials, manicures and pedicures turn out a beautiful outer you. Restful relaxation rooms are available for after treatment chill down. Enjoy the pool with its windows looking out over the beach, thermal suites and steam room, Rock Sauna, Vitality Rooms and luxury Lifestyle showers to give you a zap of energy. Non-residents can take up the full day spa package or enjoy the Spatisserie – day in the Spa with pastries served afterwards in the Lighthouse Lounge. The Horizon Juice bar provides spa guests with healthy juices and smoothies to cleanse the inner man or woman too.

Wedding and celebrations events are well catered for here. The Grand Ballroom and Chandelier Room can take larger parties. A selection of smaller rooms are there for intimate gatherings and business meetings. The conference suite is packed with all the technology needed for a successful meeting or presentation. We think the Slieve Donard is one of the finest hotels in Ireland. We think you will think so too.

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Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Downs Road
Newcastle
Co Down
BT33 0AH
+44 (0) 28 4372 1066
Email: res@sdh.hastingshotels.com
Web: www.hastingshotels.com/slieve-donard-resort-and-spa

 

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