3 Irish Spa Options for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. At this precise moment, half of you will collectively groan at the prospect of nausea-inducing couples dining out, surrounded by all things heart shaped, while the other half will quite enjoy the opportunity to spoil the one you love.

We know, Valentine’s Day can be a little sickening, and sometimes nothing more than a marketing ploy in this capitalist, money obsessed society, but sometimes it’s just nice to get a little pampering right? And even if you’re not loved up this February 14th, why not take it as an opportunity to treat yo self?

As far as we’re concerned, there’s nothing worse than couple filled restaurants on Valentine’s Day, so if we had our way, we’d be whisking ourselves away from the daily humdrum in search of some pampering spa treatments. Call us anti-social but we like it when it’s just us.

First up? Aghadoe Heights in Killarney. The view alone from the lakeside rooms will induce an almost aphrodisiac effect, it’s that stunning. Set in front of Kerry’s striking Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, you couldn’t want for a more romantic location. Rejuvenating sleeps in their massive, comforting beds followed by some down time at the award winning spa, and you’ll have won the heart of whoever you take.

We paid Aghadoe a visit recently, and sampled one of their ‘Pamper Yourself’ treatments on offer for the month of February. The particular one we had was??Love your Mind and Body?, beginning with a foot ritual, followed by a 30 minute Indian Head massage which is known for its many healing benefits including relaxing taut and uncomfortable muscles and eliminating headaches and eye strain. If that doesn’t sound gorgeous enough, we then had a 30 minute tension relieving back massage, focusing on any areas of concern on the back, neck and shoulders.?After this it was off to the tranquil relaxation area with soft beds, a personal ipod and fresh fruit skewers with herbal teas. Now this won’t sound pretty, but we enjoyed this treatment so much, we actually fell asleep and even dribbled through the face hole. Not our proudest moment, but if that’s not enough of a ringing endorsement, we don’t know what is. This spa package will be priced at €90 throughout Feb.

As for other spa options offering Valentine’s Day specials? For Corkonians, love is well and truly in the air at the 5 star Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa. These guys are offering a special?package at €340pps midweek and €425pps for a weekend getaway. For this you’ll enjoy two nights’ stay at the award winning hotel, in a deluxe ocean view room, full Irish buffet breakfast on both mornings, access to the seawater therapy pool, champagne oil body massage at the spa, a 5 course dining experience at the Gulfstream Restaurant, as well as a moonlight kayak trip. Again, if having yourself bathed in champagne oil doesn’t do it for you, we don’t know what will.

Love is also in the air at Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare, another 5 star setting so beautiful you might decide to stay forever.?This Valentine’s weekend, February 14th and 15th, guests at Sheen Falls can enjoy two nights??accommodation in a room overlooking the Kenmare Bay, a candlelit dinner on one?of the evenings in La Cascade during their stay, chocolates in their room on arrival and a 30’minute treatment in the beautiful Easanna Spa.?Prices based on two people sharing??590 in total for 2 nights (Friday 14th February & Saturday 15th February) in a Classic Room, including’dinner on one of the evenings and two 30 minute treatments in the Easanna Spa. Or, if the thoughts of two nights with your loved one is just too much, you can pay??440 in total for 1 night (Friday 14th February or Saturday 15th February) in a Classic Room?including dinner and two 30 minute treatments in the Easanna Spa.

That’s it, we’re sold.

@CarolineForan