Hotel group Starwood is to open its second resort and spa in Ireland in spring 2006.

The property will be situated on Fota Island, within Cork harbour, on the site of the existing Fota Island Golf Club, which hosted the Irish Open in 2001 and 2002.

The resort will boast a destination spa designed by Dr Christian Jost and featuring 17 treatment rooms. Other spa facilities will include a hydropool, a walking river – where clients can walk against strong currents to aid muscle tone – a gym, a swimming pool and conservatory.

Upon opening, the resort will boast 133 rooms alongside the championship golf course, a speciality restaurant, an all-day restaurant and Whiskey Bar, plus six meeting rooms ranging in capacity from six to 500 people. The resort will ultimately include more than 250 residential lodges.

Fota Island also has Ireland’s only wildlife park, as well as the historic Fota House and its surrounding gardens. Details: www.starwoodhotels.com