Galgorm Resort & Spa

Galgorm Resort & Spa Review

The manor house itself is photogenic, and the 160 acres of estate grounds—where you may go riding, practice archery, and shoot clay pigeons—cinematic. Full privileges at an 18-hole golf course, a mere five minutes from the hotel, are an added treat. The River Maine (good for brown trout) flows within view of many of the large rooms, which have wood beams on the ceilings above substantial dark-wood beds. Gillies bar and grill is decidedly Irish; the River Room ($-$$) serves hearty portions of traditional Irish food and has established itself as among the country's best hotel restaurants. A third dining option, Fratelli ($-$$), an Italian restaurant, opened in 2012. A spa contains 12 treatment rooms, five climate rooms, heated loungers, an outdoor hot tub and outdoor Jacuzzi pool. Galgorm is off A42, 3 km (2 miles) west of Ballymena, 32 km (20 miles) inland of Larne, 40 km (25 miles) north of Belfast.