Culloden Estate & Spa, Northern Ireland’s most prestigious five-star hotel, is celebrating its 150th anniversary with the completion of a £620,000 upgrade designed to further enhance the luxury guest experience. Refurbishments have been carried out across guestrooms, private dining areas, and The Spa, featuring refreshed décor, stylish soft furnishings, and bespoke furniture.
The unveiling of these enhancements marks a significant milestone as the hotel celebrates 150 years since the property was first built as the official palace of the Bishops of Down. Today, the estate spans twelve picturesque acres, overlooking Belfast Lough and the Antrim coastline, complete with luxurious accommodation, an award-winning spa, exceptional dining experiences and elegant event spaces.
A £500,000 investment in the bedrooms completed earlier this year has seen the Garden Rooms and Deluxe King guestrooms undergo a refined upgrade, featuring refreshed soft furnishings, new furniture, and completely redesigned décor. A palette of deep green and terracotta tones has been paired with warm ambient lighting to create a relaxing and elegant retreat. The upgraded bathrooms further enhance the luxurious experience, boasting striking marble-effect finishes, brushed brass fixtures, and walk-in rainfall showers.
Refurbishments have also been made to the Ailsa Suite, a private dining room with stunning views across the estate and lough. A £40,000 investment has transformed the space so that it reflects the architecture and heritage of the original building in 1876. Decor features rich navy tones and William Morris wallpaper, inspired by the designer’s rise to prominence during this era. The historic influence is elegantly contrasted with contemporary furnishings, including a bespoke marble boardroom table and luxurious chairs upholstered in rich leather and sumptuous velvet. Together, these elements create a sophisticated space suitable for meeting or dining.
The Spa at Culloden has benefited from significant enhancements, with an £80,000 investment in both its interiors and fitness facilities. Guests are now welcomed by stunning new marble flooring throughout the reception and retail area, creating a grand and welcoming first impression while maintaining a bright, airy atmosphere. This has been complemented by stylish soft furnishings and a new dedicated seating area, providing guests a comfortable and inviting place to relax while waiting. The investment has also seen the introduction of state-of-the-art treadmills and weight resistance training equipment in the gym, ensuring the spa’s fitness offering continues to meet the highest standards of quality and guest experience.
Cormac Fadden, General Manager of the Culloden Estate & Spa said: “As we celebrate 150 years of Culloden Estate & Spa, this investment reflects our commitment to preserving the estate’s rich heritage while continuing to enhance the guest experience for the future. The upgrades to our guestrooms, private dining spaces and spa facilities have been carefully designed to combine contemporary luxury with the timeless character that makes the Culloden so distinctive.
Following a strong year of growth, we are delighted to unveil these enhancements during our anniversary year and look forward to welcoming guests to experience this exciting new chapter in the Culloden story. With the vibrant summer season now underway, we are also thrilled to welcome back our much-loved Bollinger Champagne Garden, providing the perfect setting to raise a glass and toast this significant milestone.”
To celebrate the 150th anniversary, the Culloden Estate & Spa is also launching an exclusive Retreat & Restore package, available for this summer only. The package includes an overnight escape, immersive 150-minute ESPA treatment including a full body massage and personalised facial experience and access to the spa and thermal suite. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary celebratory glass of bubbly plus a full Irish breakfast the following morning.
The Retreat & Restore package is available from June – November from £710 for two adults on a one-night basis which can be booked 15 days in advance. This package can be booked online at www.cullodenestateandspa.com/ or by calling +44 (0) 28 9042 1066.
For more details and to book, cullodenestateandspa.com.
