I am going to set a sumptuous scene for you here. A summer stay in a hotel set in 90 acres of mature wooded parkland and offering panoramic views over Oysterhaven Bay that is just 30 minutes from Cork City and 5 minutes away from a thriving seaside town. The staff are friendly and the service impeccable. There is enough life in the hotel to make you feel sociable but back in your room you are able to relax and rejuvenate. There is an Elemis spa with treatment rooms and a leisure centre. It can only be one location: The Kinsale Hotel And Spa, which is the only Spa in Kinsale.
Lunch
I was invited to the Kinsale Hotel and Spa last Wednesday for a spa treatment and overnight stay with lunch and I decided rather than just review on social media I would also write about my experience and share my thoughts on my stay. I have been making an effort to be a bit kinder to myself and when I am staying in hotels for work, to utilise the facilities properly and have some “me time” once my working day is over.
I arrived at lunch time and dropped off my luggage at reception. It is notable that while I was there a bride was dropping off a thank you card to the staff from her wedding the previous weekend. She looked so happy and grateful so I am certain her wedding was magical. I left bags with the amazingly friendly reception crew as I arrived earlier than expected ( i am always early). I then went to The Rockpool (this is their bar and restaurant ) for lunch. I dined indoors and had an incredible coronation chicken croissant. This came with a salad garnish and I ordered a side portion of fries too. The views overlooking Oysterhaven bay are just phenomenal and worth a visit for lunch for this alone. The restaurant itself is spacious and airy and I was glad of the air conditioning while dining as I was there during a very hot spell. At this point I had a diet coke and a coffee too as I just wanted to take on the views on the deck before my treatment.
The Spa is an Elemis one, consisting of treatment rooms and access to the pool ,jacuzzi steam room and sauna from the leisure centre. I had a glorious relaxing mini facial with Monika who is an experienced therapist and has such great energy. She led me into a cosy treatment room and asked me some questions about my skin health and skincare routine. She then left me to get relaxed on the bed. Monika began the treatment by encouraging me to take a few slow deep breaths, which instantly relaxed me.She then cleansed and massaged my skin using a combination of Elemis Products I floated out of the room and checked out my skin in a mirror – it looked noticeably plumped, smooth and radiant. All the evidence of fatigue had been stroked away. I absolutely loved this facial and was very impressed with the whole treatment from start to finish.Elemis is a luxury spa brand I am familiar with and so was thrilled that my skin was radiant and glowing after Monika worked her magic.
Afterwards I had a relaxing dry flotation treatment which was a great opportunity for me to switch off and just enjoy feeling weightless without having to get wet. Dry flotation is completely different, in that the focus is on relaxation of the muscles, the joints and imparts a feeling of weightlessness and deep relaxation.I recommend the bed as an add-on to your favourite spa treatment. There was a vast feeling of calm and inclusion that helped me to relax more fully than even the best massage has done for me. I think it is the combination of being alone and not having anyone touch you is the key to relaxation, you aren’t anticipating anything . I could have stayed there for another hour or two. If I won the lotto , I would have one of these in my house. It’s a truly new experience, and one that’s deeply therapeutic.
From the hotel decks, (there are two) guests may capture the sunrise and the sunset; moonrise and moonset. The view is unrivalled. If you are lucky enough to stay in a suite then you will have a private balcony to enjoy this experience outdoors. The rooms are spacious and the beds and pillows are really comfortable. The bathroom was spotless and again there was plenty of room for my many toiletries. I was staying in a suite and so had a balcony with some incredibles views as well as a TV area with two sofas so that I could just relax. I did venture for a glass of wine in the bar after I took a walk in the stunning grounds. I slept soundly with the help of air con and utter serenity. I woke just on time for sunrise and it was a sight to behold. The breakfast the next day was a buffet setup with staff service, the hotel buffet and the rest of the breakfast being self service, they had a great selection of all of the favourites like cereals, fruits and pastries. The cooked breakfast was all Irish produce and cooked to perfection. I did take time to luxuriate in my food and stayed at breakfast with a book for about an hour, during which there was a steady stream of guests.
It is a family friendly hotel, there were families, couples and solo travellers there as well as some non guests dining too who had come for a glass of wine on the deck. That is the beauty of the hotel really i feel, because irrespective of your reasons for staying the hotel is welcoming and of a high standard. I was speaking to two ladies that came for a midweek break together and were making the absolute most of the weather, grounds and hotel amenities. They also have lodges which are suited to families or larger groups. They regularly have offers and midweek deals so I will be returning and perhaps bringing a friend next time to try dinner and a few cocktails.
You can check out the the hotel here : https://www.kinsalehotelandspa.ie/
