Whether you’re looking for spa treatments and yoga classes, cocktails and shopping, or museums and good food, Ireland has it covered. From forest hikes to boozy brunches, there’s no limit to the fun you can have.
To help you plan the ultimate girls’ getaway, we’ve chosen our favourite hotels and destinations around the country. So pack your bags, round up your girlfriends, and enjoy some all-important bonding time.
Galway is a small city with a big reputation. And for good reason – live music fills its cobblestone streets and the pubs are packed with locals and visitors. If you want your girls’ trip to involve drinks and dancing, the affordably-priced Forster Court Hotel is an ideal base. Located just off Eyre Square, it’s a short walk from Galway’s liveliest streets.
Forster Court is a pretty boutique hotel and its fresh, chic interior is perfect for a girlie weekend. There are also triple and quad rooms available, so you can all pile in together. The Hyde Bar & Gin Parlour is just as stylish as the bedrooms – a mix of comfy armchairs, plants and artwork. Breakfast is served here daily, but if you want to up the fun level, you can opt for a boozy brunch with prosecco.
From fascinating street art to chic rooftop bars, Belfast has emerged as a vibrant destination city. And a stay at the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel will make any girls’ trip that bit more magical. An elegant hotel that prides itself on friendliness, the Fitzwilliam is located in the heart of the city. So getting to bed after a night of sipping cocktails will be very straightforward.
When it comes to sleeping in luxury, you’ll have lots of options. Splash out on a 9th floor City View room for dazzling views of Belfast. And as an added bonus, the luxe decor and natural light are ideal for taking photos to commemorate your trip. Or huddle into the en-suite bathroom, where black mosaic tiles create the ultimate backdrop for a bathroom selfie.
Prepare for your day of sight-seeing with an indulgent breakfast in The Restaurant. Whether you’re in the mood for an avocado bagel, buttermilk pancakes, or smoked salmon, there’ll be something to satisfy everyone. Post-pancakes, put your sugar high to good use and head out to explore Belfast with your girls.
When it comes to food, fun, and shopping, Dublin has it covered. So make it a girls’ weekend to remember with a luxurious stay at The Marker, a five-star boutique hotel in Dublin’s Docklands. This stylish, contemporary hotel is so much fun that you could easily end up spending your entire weekend inside.
Thoughtful touches make the rooms here really special. The Nespresso machines make mornings a little easier after a big night on the town. The marble bathrooms are stocked with Malin and Goetz products and you can request a ‘yoga box’ if you feel like working out in your room. And if you really want to treat yourselves, the elegant Corner Suites have huge windows, deeper baths, and rainfall showers.
The Marker Spa & Wellness Centre is a modern sanctuary and the indulgent range of massages, body wraps and facials is hard to resist. But even if you don’t have time for a treatment, you can still book an hour in the Thermal Suite for €25pp. So get the girls together and relax in the 23-metre infinity pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and eucalyptus-infused steam room.
If you’re the kind of girl group who enjoy stretching your legs and breathing fresh air, then Killarney is for you. Perfectly placed between Killarney National Park and the vibrant town of Killarney, The Brehon Hotel blends luxury with relaxation. Curling up on a sofa in the hotel lobby, preferably next to a crackling fire, is one of my favourite things to do after hiking with friends. And if you and your girls are in need of catching up, it’s a lovely spot to fuel up on coffee before you start your adventures.
When you eventually find time to sleep, The Brehon has a few boutique-style options. Rooms range from tasteful Deluxe rooms to the more spacious Superior Suites, all with views of Killarney’s gorgeous landscape. But each room only accommodates two people. So if there’s a gang of you, it’s worth booking a few bedrooms in advance.
The Brehon offers every guest over the age of 18 complimentary access to the Angsana Spa’s Vitality Suite. So after a long day of hiking or biking, you can round up the girls and unwind in the pool, herb sauna, and crystal steam room. And if exploring the outdoors hasn’t tired you out, you’ll also have access to the nearby Aquila Club Leisure Centre.
For a weekend of organic spa treatments, plant-based food, and fluffy beds, gather up your friends for a stay at The Kingsley. Set on the lush banks of the River Lee in Cork, The Kingsley is away from the noise of the city centre. But it’s an easy walk or quick taxi ride when you’re ready to hit the town. Inside, the Deluxe Twin rooms are spacious enough for late-night chats with your besties. And for an extra-special stay, book rooms with views of the river.
The Spa at The Kingsley is the perfect place to bliss out with your friends. Therapists use only natural, organic products and there’s an impressive range of massages. If it’s skin care you’re after, try the 25-minute Refresher Facial or splash out on the All-Natural Urban Rescue. After your treatments, you can all meet up to relax in the aromatherapy steam baths, Finnish sauna, or tepidarium.
Grace is an Irish travel blogger with a passion for wellness and adventure. When she’s not writing, Grace is usually on the hunt for new yoga studios and plant-based restaurants. Her site, The Idyll, explores all of the ways that travel can make us happier and healthier.