Pamper yourself at one of these serene spa hotels in Wexford

A luxurious hotel room can make the difference between a good break and an unforgettable one – and the elegant Whitford House Hotel has taken great care over the finer details. Interiors feature plush textures, intricately patterned wallpaper and large windows, some of which have views of the hotel garden, filling the space with light. Self-catering lodges have a cosy, home-away-from-home feel, with sumptuous beds, spacious terraces for al-fresco dining and fun, colourful interiors.

After exploring one of the world’s oldest lighthouses and the ‘haunted’ Loftus Hall Mansion in the Wexford, head back to the hotel to while away the afternoon in the spa. In the Serenity Beauty Rooms, you can spoil yourself with aromatherapy massages, facials, hot stone therapy and beauty services. There’s also a unisex hair salon at the hotel, where you can polish up your usual style with a glamorous blow-dry or experiment with something new.

As day fades into evening, make a reservation at the multi award-winning Seasons Restaurant. Dark wood provides a sophisticated contrast against crystal tableware and textured silver wallpaper to create an ambience of elegance with just a touch of rustic charm. Try dishes crafted from ingredients provided by artisan producers, such as crunchy arancini balls filled with salty bacon and tangy garlic. At the traditional and welcoming Forthside Bar and Bistro, savour hearty carvery meals like honey-roasted loin of bacon with herby parsley sauce.

Located in the quaint market town of Gorey in North Wexford, Amber Springs Hotel and Health Club combines first-class facilities with an idyllic location. On your Wexford break, explore sandy and windswept beaches like Courtown, or go on laidback rambles through the majestic Courtown Woods.

If your dream break consists mainly of relaxing, make your first stop the Cocoon Spa at Amber Springs Hotel. Lie back in the soothing Lotus Suite underneath a canopy of stars, before savouring a massage, facial, scrub or wrap in one of the scented and softly lit treatment rooms. Try the balneotherapy bath to soothe tired muscles, or experience weightlessness in the Dry Float. The spa uses luxurious, award-winning Elemis products to create a sensory experience with long-lasting effects.

Head to Coffee Dock, located in the hotel’s lobby and accompany your rich cup of Java with a freshly baked scone. In the evening, try the Steakhouse, which serves steaks from the hotel’s own cattle farm for a true farm-to-table experience. Another option is Farina Garden Restaurant, if you’re after an authentic Italian atmosphere. It’s nestled within the hotel’s colourful garden, so you can have an al-fresco dinner of pizza baked in a wood-fired oven – choose tasty toppings like spicy sausage, sweet caramelised onion and moreish salty prawns.

Explore everything Ireland’s Ancient East has to offer at Riverside Park Hotel, which offers a picturesque location on the river in the heart of the city. You’ll be ideally placed to visit Wexford’s dolmens – ancient tombs scattered across the county, as well as fascinating Bronze Age settlements and of course, mile upon mile of lush, idyllic Irish countryside.

Rooms are traditional with a subtly romantic edge, featuring a palette of soft neutral colours, plush leather furnishings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The opulent suites are situated in the hotel’s distinctive stone tower and feature striking glass light fixtures and a spacious walk-in wardrobe. In a balcony room, you can gaze at the serene views over the River Slaney from your own private balcony. Mornings here are made for sitting outside wrapped in your cosy dressing gown, sipping fresh orange juice.

The Glow Beauty Rooms are dedicated to helping you look and feel great. Innovative Dermalogica products are used in pampering facials, while a range of massages target different areas of the body to promote a sense of serenity. Body exfoliation helps to reveal delightfully smooth and healthy skin, while Indian head massages relieve tension behind the eyes and promote a sense of well-being. Aromatic hot oils are silky, warm and delicately scented for a multi-sensory experience.

Wake up to the waves crashing outside your window at Wexford’s luxurious Hotel Talbot. Superior Seaview Rooms feature contemporary design touches and panoramic views. Add in crisp, soft cotton linen, enormous beds with fabric headboards and irresistible velvet throws alongside lushly upholstered furnishings in rich tones, and you may find it’s tempting not to leave your hotel room.

Let expert therapists pamper you with facials, massages, body muds and scrubs or a beautifying pedicure at the tranquil Beauty Bank. Decadent aromatherapy is used to create a sensory experience designed to leave you feeling totally recharged. When your treatment is finished, bathe in the intricately tiled indoor pool or stretch out in the gym.

When evening rolls around, indulge at the Oyster Lane Restaurant. Award-winning head chef Nigel Corbett uses fresh, local produce to craft his creative and mouth-watering dishes. Make sure you take advantage of the Talbot’s extensive wine menu when considering an accompaniment to your meal. Afterwards, head to The Ballast Bank Bar & Grill to soak up the buzzing atmosphere. Designed to look like an old bonded warehouse, the bar combines high ceilings and plenty of honey-hued wood with industrial accents. As well as being able to catch live music in here, you can sample the extensive bar menu when you feel like a more casual dining experience.

At Clayton Whites you can explore the heart of historic Wexford, then retreat to the hotel’s serene and fully equipped spa complex where the everyday couldn’t feel further away. Nine treatment rooms offer massages, facials, wraps and scrubs, mud therapy, manicures and pedicures and beauty services. There’s also a thermal suite, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and 20 metre heated indoor swimming pool to unwind in. Stretch out in the poolside relaxation area with a good book and let the afternoon slip peacefully by.

Food here is equally rejuvenating: the hotel’s Terrace restaurant specialises in fine, locally sourced ingredients, such as succulent sirloin steak and delicate sea trout. High ceilings, a fresh colour palette and floor-to-ceiling windows create an airy and energising feel that makes a nourishing lunch after your treatments even more enjoyable. Meanwhile the Library Bar, with its comfortable armchairs and warm fireplaces, is an ideal place to indulge in some downtime. This is also where you can savour classic dishes such as slow-roasted beef with fluffy Yorkshire puddings – Sunday afternoon has to be spent here.

The spacious rooms here have plenty of natural light, and feature plush pillows and sumptuous bedding. If you’re hoping for a room with a view, try one of the Clayton’s suites. Located on the top floor of the hotel, these spacious rooms offer panoramic vistas of Wexford’s winding, medieval lanes and its natural harbour.

Maldron Hotel is ideal for families or couples seeking a little rest and relaxation. You can unwind in its refurbished rooms, which feature warm, soothing tones with pops of mustard yellow and plenty of comfortable, tactile textures. Irresistibly soft cotton bed sheets make for a cosy place to curl up at the end of a long day of exploring.

For nourishing and restorative treatments, pay a visit to the Body and Soul treatment rooms. In these serene and rustic rooms, treat your muscles to a tranquil massage, or hydrate your skin with a facial. Deep tissue massages help to tease out aching knots. Hair styling services and nail treatments are also available – ideal for a beauty boost if you’re planning on having dinner in the hotel restaurant. You can also take a dip in the indoor 20-metre swimming pool, or detox in the Jacuzzi, steam room or sauna.

The Grain and Grill Restaurant uses fresh and local ingredients to create savoury dishes such as an oven-baked trout and haddock duo, in a casual, light-filled setting. If you’re eating in the morning before heading out to explore Wexford, the hotel’s Vitality breakfast selection offers healthy options, including scrumptious home-toasted muesli, designed to nourish. Of course, you can also mix and match items from the hot counter, like black and white pudding, sautéed mushrooms, plus bacon and eggs to create your ultimate full Irish.