Finn Lough
This is the biggest steal of a hotel in the world. Next question.
I’m literally at a loss for words when it comes to how amazing this hotel is. You’re staying in clear bubble the middle of a forest on the edge of a lake with access to one of the most unique spas in the world and you’re paying $300 a night. Like are you serious?! Finn Lough might be a trek to get to, but trust me, spend 3 nights here and you’ll never want to leave.
Rooms: A+
Again: a clear bubble in the middle of a forest. You have all the amenities (minus a TV but I mean come on). Heated floors. The whole room is climate controlled. You just have to be smart about the doors when you enter/exit because of they’re both opened at the same time, the bubble literally deflates (this briefly happened to us once and its legit).
Dining: A-
The main dining room
The freshest ingredients you could ask for and beautiful presentation. The intimacy of the dining here is almost intimidating, but the friendliness and relatability of the staff makes up for it. It is quite pricey, and you really have no other options, but it’s worth it.
When you get over the restaurant, they can set up a whole fireside picnic for you overlooking the lake. Not too shabby!
Amenities: A-
The spa is a collection of rooms (zero senses room, sauna with a view over the lake, steam room and relaxation room) in the forrest that you walk through. Simply put, there is nothing like it that I’ve experienced before. You can go kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, biking or even mountain biking. There is also a bar and a movie theater on the property for some night time activities if watching the stars from your climate controlled bed gets boring.
Staff: A-
Unbelievably friendly (albeit sometimes too friendly for their own good). And they do enough to ensure you have a good stay without distracting you in the slightest from the beauty of the hotel’s surroundings.
Scene: Surprising
I expected older people in general at this hotel in the middle of nowhere, but to my surprise there were plenty of people in their early-30’s, late 20’s, including the staff. You really don’t ever see anybody besides during meal times, and even then you only see 15 other people on average.
If you go to Ireland, you absolutely must stay at this hotel. I promise, it’ll be one of the most unique and memorable experiences of your life.