The Culloden Estate and Spa

High in the Holywood hills, five miles outside of town, you’ll find what may be Belfast’s grandest old hotel. The 19th-century Culloden estate cuts an impressive silhouette, surrounded by twelve acres of wooded parklands and gardens overlooking the waters of Belfast Lough. Once a bishops’ residence, then a private home, today it’s the sort of place that hosts pop stars and heads of state on their way through town.

Behind this imposing Gothic exterior lies a lush interior; no drafty castle, the Culloden is stuffed with antiques and artworks, stained glass and Louis XV chandeliers. Guest rooms are decked out in rich fabrics and antique furnishings, with marble bathrooms, separate showers and tubs, and views of the gardens or the Lough. Suites come with king beds, stereo systems and superior views.

Dining options include the informal Cultra Inn and the award-winning Mitre Restaurant, serving continental fare made from fresh Irish ingredients in a dining room converted from the old refectory. Golfers are in heaven, surrounded by a number of fine courses including the Royal Belfast, and the athletically minded can make use of the hotel’s pool and fitness center. Sailing the Lough is a popular pastime as well, and the grounds and gardens make for excellent walking. Perhaps best of all, the shops, restaurants and nightlife of Belfast’s city center are just minutes away.


How to get there:
Culloden Hotel is approximately a 30 minute drive from Belfast International Airport (BFS).