Spa treat in Ireland

The West of Ireland is a fairly chilled out laid-back type of place. Not many people for a start – the population of the entire country barely nudges over four million, with the smallest percentage resident in the west. Which leaves lots of room for fields, lakes, rivers and mountains, few urban areas, not too many buildings and a lot of cows.

And for a long time not much else. Hotels in the area were reasonably basic or of the 'grand but falling apart' country manor house variety. But recently all that's changed.

Spa hotels in Sligo

Sligo traditionally did not do spa hotels. Trust me, I lived there for the first 18 years of my life and you would be as likely to see a spa hotel as you would a roaming tiger, Celtic or otherwise.

An Irish Tourism ad for the county of Sligo once claimed 'Sligo is surprising'. And it is surprising. Located on the northwest coast of Ireland, it's surprisingly unspoilt as 'progress and development' marches on throughout the country, and surprisingly quiet for all its beauty, magnificent beaches, chocolate-box pretty landscape, woods, lakes and mountains – and that amazing West of Ireland light.

So why would you need a spa hotel then? Because sometimes, despite all the beauty, scenic landscapes and abundance of wonderful nature, you just really need somebody to rub your shoulders for an hour with soothing gorgeous-smelling lotions in a candle-lit environment. You know how it is.

Pampering treats

My mother and myself decided we would treat ourselves to a spa experience at the Radisson Blu hotel & spa; I quite fancy an aromatherapy massage, she's going for an invigorating facial. This would be the first time my mother had ever experienced a facial, because that sort of thing didn't happen in Sligo much once upon a time.

Despite being a large building, the hotel sits reasonably unobtrusively on the landscape – halfway between Sligo town and the lovely seaside village of Rosses Point.

The hotel's spa is exactly as it should be, quiet, calm, welcoming and softly lit. The staff are pleasant, friendly and natural, and obviously know their jobs very well. My massage balanced the right amount of invigorating pressure with a light relaxing touch, opening up a particularly unpleasant tension-ridden knot between my shoulder blades and leaving me feeling supple and more limber than I had done for months. My mother's facial was the type of treat every facial should be – a truly pampering experience (and she couldn't believe how soft her skin felt afterwards!).

Perfect relaxation

After our treatments we were led to the relaxation room, where we could stretch out in what I can only describe as huge 'nests' – richly padded and cushioned – with lots of water, juice and fruit on hand should we so desire it. We lounged about in our fluffy robes and comfy slippers and felt decadent.

Sligo is surprising – now, more than ever. Treat yourself to some of that beauty and heal your soul. Treat yourself to a spa experience and do the same for your body.

The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Sligo, Ireland; (00 353) 71 91 40008 www.radissonblu.ie/hotel-sligo
For more information on Ireland visit Discover Ireland