The Galgorm Resort & Spa in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has opened a new Thermal Spa Village, which means the resort now boasts 75,000sq ft (6,968sq m) of picturesque riverside spa facilities.
Spa consultant Jennifer Gorman helped create the Thermal Spa Village, which pays homage to the area’s unique heritage. The Thermal Spa Village includes an extensive selection of riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steamrooms, Celtic sauna, sanarium, snow cabin, Orangery relaxation room, and River House yoga studio in the tranquil Northern Irish countryside, about 20 minutes outside of Belfast.
The new facilities complement the resort’s already extensive thermal spa facilities, first opened in 2007, which include an infinity hydrotherapy pool, outdoor hot tub and whirlpool, laconium, herb caldarium, aroma grotto, ice fountain, sauna, experience showers and heated relaxation loungers. Product houses include Voya and Aromatherapy Associates.
Spa facilities are complimentary to guests staying within the hotel and estate, who receive a map on arrival encouraging them to follow their own holistic journey through the spa.
Launched as part of the Thermal Spa Village, the Celtic Meditation Sauna Rituals take their inspiration from the Finnish Aufguss sauna ritual. They include music, meditation and aromatherapy in combination with a sauna master, whose choreographed routine with a towel circulates hot air and essential oil aromas throughout the room.
Chilled to -15C, the snow cabin, developed by German spa specialists Klaffs, is designed to cool the body between sessions in the sauna and improve body circulation, and features several inches of real snow on the ground.
The two-person log-fired riverside tubs are available to reserve privately for an hour-long session, to enjoy with champagne and a woodland grazing slate from £40 per person. The four tubs are set in a picturesque location on the banks of the River Maine, and are named after the smell of woodsmoke adds to the rustic experience.
A River House, built on raised stilts over the River Maine, offers a range of fitness and wellbeing classes, and guests can enjoy two complimentary classes each day.
The Thermal Spa Village was launched at the same time as the resort added another 48 guestrooms, designed by architect Douglas Wallace, bringing the total offering to 122.
