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Membership of the Thermal Village & Spa at Galgorm is perfect to begin your journey of optimal health and wellbeing in surroundings of beautifully understated luxury. We caught up with some of our memberships to find out what membership means to them...

Membership of the Thermal Village & Spa at Galgorm offers access to one of the finest luxury Spa Resorts in the UK & Ireland where a holistic approach to wellbeing is our core focus. Annual membership is perfect for local residents as well as those visiting the Resort on a regular basis. We caught up with a number of our members to find out what membership at Galgorm means to them.

"As a member what makes the Spa Village special to me is simple, the vision to continuously redefine your health and well-being experience and the excellent team of people who provide first class customer service. There is nothing better than a spa visit to relax and recover after a busy day whether with a little exercise, a therapy room or even a bit of both."

"I am nearing the end of my first year as a member of Galgorm Spa. It has been a great year.

From the moment you walk through the door to the Spa, you feel like you are escaping the real world for a while and have the luxury of all the fantastic facilities at your finger-tips while interacting with staff that are always friendly and professional. 

The facilities, including the gym, swimming pool, and thermal area have enabled me along with the personal trainer's guidance to improve my level of fitness and get back in shape.

The member’s social events are a treat on the calendar allowing you to get to know new people develop new friendships.

I would thoroughly recommend membership to the Spa" 

"I have been a member of Galgorm Spa for a number of years now. I find the tranquil environment, coupled with the luxurious facilities and surroundings, create the perfect setting for relaxation. It is the ideal place for catching up with friends over a coffee.

The thermal village, spa and swimming pool are state-of-the-art facilities which I thoroughly enjoy and use regularly. I also attend the fitness classes which are delivered by qualified instructors. In particular, I have found the Stretch Classes to be especially beneficial.

The staff are very attentive and friendly, contributing greatly to the overall ambiance of the Spa and provide a superb service to members."

"What being a member of “Galgorm Spa” means to me. From the minute you arrive the staff are always very pleasant and eager to assist. The Members’ Manager, Karen Clifford is extremely approachable and always goes out of her way to sort out any questions or queries I have ever had.

It is a great place to meet up and make new friends, as I have done.  You can either exercise or relax the choice is yours, from the gym, tennis courts, golf course or swimming pool. Alternatively just opt to have a snack in ‘Elements’, relax in the orangery, hot tubs, or steam rooms, the list goes on.

We have just had your annual Members night which is complimentary of Galgorm, it was a very enjoyable evening, a great opportunity to meet other members.

I would recommend Membership to everyone."

For more information or to begin your journey of optimal health & wellbeing, contact our Membership Executive here

The big man is making his list and checking it twice! Fear not though, we've had a word with Santa himself and arranged a very special treat for you early shoppers...

Red cup season has arrived and we can almost hear Bublé warming up his festive vocal chords in anticipation for the most wonderful time of the year! Oh yes, whether you like it or not, the big man is making his list and checking it twice! Fear not though, we’ve had a word with Santa himself and arranged a very special treat for you early shoppers…

We have all experienced gift fear at one point or another, the technical term for that feeling of disappointing our loved ones with yet another pair of novelty socks. This is where we step in! Banish the fear and guarantee gift joy with a Galgorm Gift Voucher, all while rewarding yourself.  For every £100 worth of Gift Vouchers purchased before the 30th November 2017, we are giving you a FREE £10 Gift Voucher to spend. If that isn’t enough, we’ve pulled together your ultimate Galgorm Gift Guide. 

For The Luxury Lovers

Gifting can be tricky at the best of times and particularly so for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Watch their eyes light up as they receive one of our Galgorm Experience vouchers to redeem against a curated selection of experiences. Starting at £95, you can be sure you’re adding a little Galgorm sparkle this gift-giving season

For The Foodie

Food is the universal language that brings people together and we only need to take Christmas time as the perfect example of this. For the foodies among us, we have designed the perfect experience voucher to substitute the traditional cookbook gifting. Whet their appetite with one of our Gourmet Wine Evening vouchers entitling them to a cava and canapé reception followed by a sumptuous five-course dinner for two with a glass of wine to accompany each course. 

For The Zen Seeker

We all have that one friend that miraculously appears to have it altogether and they do so with grace and poise. How do they do it? And what IS their secret? Well truth be told we all deserve a little R&R, a touch of tranquility, an escape from the frenzy of everyday life. With one of our Spa Gift Vouchers, your loved one will experience the utmost in relaxation and wellness either with a treatment from our extensive menu or by enjoying the award-winning Thermal Village for the afternoon.  

For The Ginnoisseur

“There’ll be much mistletoeing and gin will be flowing…” That’s how the Andy Williams classic goes, right?! For the juniper enthusiast in your life, make their Christmas dreams come true with a voucher for one of our bi-monthly Gin Evenings. Valid for two guests, this gin-ful gift entitles you to a selection of gin cocktails and samples from the distiller, matched with light bites from the 3AA Rosette River Room alongside a masterclass from a gin expert. 

For The One Who Has It All

The one who has it all (and more). The arduous task often faced when we want to impress, but simply can’t pin down their particular style, or perhaps you simply do not know them all that well! This is where the humble monetary gift voucher comes into play. The flexibility of a monetary voucher makes it the ultimate gift for your recipient to spend however they wish, be it a romantic getaway with a partner or simply a well earned pamper break. 

Make the most of your spot on the nice list and ensure you purchase your vouchers before the 30th November to receive a free £10 voucher for every £100 worth of vouchers purchased - #GiftLoveGuaranteed.

View our range of Gift Vouchers

here

Galgorm Resort & Spa are delighted to have been crowned Ireland's Luxury Spa Village at the World Luxury Spa & Restaurant Awards 2017.

World Luxury Spa & Restaurant Awards Honour 2017 Winners

Galgorm Resort & Spa are delighted to have been crowned Ireland's Luxury Spa Village at the World Luxury Spa & Restaurant Awards 2017.

The scene is set; it’s a warm, exotic summer’s evening in Vietnam, the sun begins to set over the bustling and intriguing city of Hanoi, excited participants gather at the event of the year, the event that will later that night honour them as the crème da la crème of the luxury wellness and fine dining industries. Champagne flows, canapés travel on beautifully decorated trays to guests, and the air of anticipation grows. Proudly hosted by the spectacular JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, who with a red carpet welcome invite over 180 guests from more than 50 countries to a dazzling evening of luxury, glamour, and style.

“Over 100,000 votes brought our winners here tonight; 100,000 times the public voiced their opinion on who of the 1,000 entrants are deserving of these accolades. Tonight we honour the staff of these fine establishments, who through their immeasurable service delivery have brought success to the proud brands of which they are a part.” says Marna Lourens, Executive Manager for the World Luxury Spa Awards.

Setting the basis for service industry standards around the globe, the World Luxury Spa Awards and World Luxury Restaurant Awards pride themselves on providing true recognition to luxury spas and restaurants in their relevant categories during its annual voting phase. Votes are garnered through various marketing channels from guests, showcasing yet again the true value of service excellence.

“The most coveted award on the evening is our Global Spa and Global Restaurant of the Year awards. Each year the task to determine these top establishments begins after voting has closed and we announce to our winners if they have been successful. We are six senior managers who take weeks to decide, as voting is not the only criteria we look at to bestow this prestigious award. A multitude of factors come in to play; brand, location, overall guest satisfaction from online reviews, services and facilities, design, and even menu offerings whether spa or restaurant. It is important to look at each establishment as an individual as well, some are on an island, some are in cities or in a desert, it is not always possible to compare apples with apples when defining luxury. This year the focus was on unique design with a touch of classy elegance, and we were as such proud to award Global Spa of the Year to Harnn Heritage Spa at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and Global Restaurant of the Year to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Both of whom encompass the ethos of luxury and supreme service.” says Joanna Evans, Marketing Communications Manager for the World Luxury Awards.

The evening was as glamorous as one would expect from a JW Marriott brand hotel; a delectable 6- course fine dining menu adorned each table throughout the night and was paired with fine wines and champagne from Moët et Chandon. Entertainment fitting of the destination included a Dragon Dance, a Vietnamese based string quartet performance by Độc Cầm - Toxic Quartet, and a local Ao Dai Dance, all of which added to the evening’s Asian flair.

“The food tonight was exceptionally impressive and has been during our entire stay at the hotel. Executive Chef Brendon Partridge and his team receive full honours from the World Luxury Awards and all our guests for the tireless effort of crafting these delicious plates of exquisite foods we received this evening,” says Linda Cooper, Executive Manager for the World Luxury Restaurant Awards. “I am proud to know that the awards they themselves received tonight are so well deserved.” 

As proud hosts of Ireland's first MLX Quartz Bed, Catherine gives us the need to know details on the ancient Greek concept of psammo therapy...

As a digital marketer, the majority of my working days are spent behind a luminous screen scouring the internet. A fairly hazard-free role you could say, and to some extent would be correct. However, it is not entirely without its repercussions (and I’m not talking about the flurry of dog memes all vying for my attention in any one afternoon). Bad posture and neck strain come part and parcel of desk-based roles. An early morning stretch and limber up for the day ahead regularly results in the sort of cracks less akin to that of someone in their early twenties. That was of course until a friend had suggested a massage. Really? I thought to myself. It all seemed a little self-indulgent and perhaps not something I truly needed or could justify treating myself to for that matter. After some persuasion (quite frankly, not a lot), I stand corrected. My name is Catherine and I am a Spa convert.

Enter the MLX Quartz Treatment Bed. “What’s that?” I hear you proclaim. Much like myself, when I was introduced to the concept, I was instinctively intrigued by this term that my colleagues had spoken so highly of. Derived from the Greek concept of psammo therapy, or hot sand therapy, the MLX Quartz is the modern take on a century-old approach to delivering the utmost in physical and holistic relaxation. 

As it’s eponymously named component would suggest, Quartz beds are something of a luxury; a rare and restorative highway to relaxation. So with this in mind, once I had made my decision to book in for a full body massage, I knew I had to experience first hand for myself, just how truly special such treatments are. After all, Galgorm proudly house the first MLX Quartz Bed on the island of Ireland! 

Fast Forward to Tuesday…

Having completed my pre-treatment questionnaire and feeling refreshed following a lemon & ginger tea (made all the sweeter by the accompaniment of two luxurious truffles), I was soon introduced to my Therapist. Now, as a self-confessed spa amateur, I can’t help but confess to being somewhat apprehensive of the treatment. Oh, how wrong I was! Upon meeting my Spa Therapist, the wonderful Zoe, any preconceived ideas of awkwardness were swiftly dispelled.

Upon entering the treatment room I was firstly amazed by the treatment table which houses the alpha quartz sand. Instantly I knew this would be something of a luxury and with the scent of essential oils in the air, instant relaxation ensued. A quick chat with Zoe revealed the format of the treatment which would include singing bowls and poultice. Stay with me on this one…

Now, you may be wondering how comfortable laying on a bed of quartz sand can be and I am here to confirm that it is truly a dream. Once laying upon the protective polyurethane layer the warmth of the hot sand instantly relaxes as your therapist intricately moulds the quartz sand around your body in order to support the contours of your body. In my cosy, relaxed state I was immediately transported to a warmer climate, cocooned on a warm sandy beach (albeit minus the factor 50). If this state of relaxation was only the beginning I was surely in for a treat. 

Om-Believable 

As a firm believer in the powers of meditation in mindfulness, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the treatment incorporated elements throughout with the introduction of two singing bowls. An odd sensation to begin with; once placed on my back Zoe struck the bowls, instantaneously sending vibrations throughout my spine as well as the room, with a sensation quite unlike anything I had previously experienced. This signified the beginning of the treatment and proved the perfect precursor to ensure I was in the utmost relaxed of states. At this point I couldn’t help but contemplate how dubious I had been before arriving for my treatment, this was exactly the respite from everyday life that we all require from time to time - and with that thought, the massage began. 

Utilising the most luxurious of oils, Zoe began the massage with her hands before introducing the heated Poultice which sets this treatment apart from it’s traditional massage counterparts. The two poultice or ‘stemps’ as they are sometimes referred to contained quartz sand, kept in place with cloth and heated to the desired temperature. The sensation from heated poultice alleviating knots and soothing muscular pain was nothing short of restorative. With this tranquil combination of cocooned warmth achieved from the bed, targeted relief from the poultice and the calming practice of massage techniques, it was a particularly mean feat to stay awake. The journey of relaxation continued as the treatment progressed from top to toe, before maneuvering to repeat the techniques on my front. The experience then concluded with a repositioning of the bed to a zero gravity position to facilitate the scalp massage, evoking a deep state of relaxation - as though I could have been any more at ease with the world. 

Slowly and with as much grace as could be expected from my dream-like hazy state, once the treatment had concluded, I was greeted with fresh towels and an ice cold glass of water before chatting to my therapist who informed me that my suspicions were correct and my shoulders housed a plethora of tension - who knew! Having just spent 90 minutes in heated environment, I was advised to drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated throughout the evening. Guided to the relaxation area of The Spa at Galgorm and feeling as though I could take on the world, the icy delights continued with a refreshing sorbet to round off my mid-week escapism. 

If the thought of this serene treatment intrigues you, book yours now;

- 90 Minute Signature Ritual - £125 Midweek / £140 Weekends 

- 60 Minute Back Therapy - £90 Midweek / £95 Weekends 

Ahead of our upcoming Afternoon with Gemma’s Cakes & Sally’s Floral Studio, we have caught up with the lady behind the cakes, Gemma herself, to ask her some of your burning questions...

At Galgorm we have secured some of the best in the business to assist in bringing your dream wedding day to life! Think of it as our little black book of suppliers, or The People We Trust as we affectionately refer to them as. 

Ahead of our upcoming Afternoon with Gemma’s Cakes & Sally’s Floral Studio, we have caught up with the lady behind the cakes, Gemma herself, to ask her some of your burning questions. So sit back, relax (and grab some cake) as we get down to the tricky business of sponge, tiers and flavours! 

Introducing Gemma…

Hi readers! I’m very excited to be sitting down to write my first blog post for Galgorm. 2016 has been a fantastic year for Gemma’s Cakes and 2017 is shaping up to be an exciting time too with lots of exciting new things ahead. To get started, I would like to congratulate all you engaged couples and provide you with some tips and insight on getting your wedding cake organised for your special day! With my background as a Galgorm Wedding Planner, I have a wealth of experience in the industry and have a strong affinity with the Resort so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands when it comes to the tastiest element of wedding planning. 

Timing Is Everything

Now onto my advice; I know a lot of websites and magazine articles out there suggest that you book your cake at least 6 months before your wedding, however, my view is that once you have your date booked and your venue confirmed, you should go ahead and secure your date with your chosen baker. We have couples booking our services up to 2 years ahead! This is especially vital if you are having your wedding in June, July, August, September or around a holiday period e.g between Christmas and New Year, Easter, or Halloween. Availability at these times book up fast so you need to be on the ball. 

The Need To Know

Firstly, book in for a consultation with the supplier so you can get to know them and taste their cake. We hold free one to one tastings regularly and there is no obligation to book. Once you have designed your cake with your supplier, get a quotation and be clear on what you are getting for your money, for example, will they deliver to the hotel on the day? How many servings of cake will you get? Should you change your mind about design this can be reworked and a new price calculated up to a few weeks before the wedding if necessary. After all, we aim to make the process as easy, stress free and enjoyable for our couples as possible.

If you don't have time for an appointment or if you live/work abroad get to know your baker via email or over the phone and check out their reviews on Facebook, Google+ and third party websites from previous couples. 

Key Trends

With regards to what's trending in 2017, I would say expect to see more fabulous buttercream cakes finished with fresh flowers, effortlessly chic and elegant.  Rustic Naked and Semi-Naked designs, Marble cakes, gold sequins and laser cut toppers will also be very popular and of course we all still love our lace & sugar flowers.  Another trend that's definitely in the mix is Art Deco/Gatsby so expect to see a few geometric designs too! 

Where To Find Gemma

Telephone -

07866808973

Email - gemma@gemmas-cakes.co.uk 

Facebook -

Gemma's Cakes 

Or alternatively, why not join us for "An Afternoon with Gemma's Cakes & Sally's Floral Studio" at Galgorm Resort & Spa on Sunday 26th February 2017 from 2pm-4pm in The Four Seasons Suite where Gemma will be giving a short presentation followed by cake tasting.  You will also get the opportunity to chat with Gemma on the day. To register your interest for this event, please contact the Wedding Team

here

Happy New Year Brides-To-Be! You're now one year closer to your Wedding Day! If you find yourself counting down the days, you need our Wedding Planning Checklist in your life... Happy Planning!

12-24 Months to go…

• Celebrate your engagement with a party or engagement shoot
• Confirm venue & set your budget
• Confirm your ceremony & book church/officiant
• Start a pinterest board & follow @galgormweddings on Instagram for some #galgorminspiration
• Create a wedmin email account for correspondence with suppliers & guests, or why not create your very own wedding website
• Take out wedding insurance  

11 Months to go...

• Confirm entertainment/photographer/florist choice with your wedding planner
• Pick your wedding party
• Start planning the guest list
• Send out ‘save the dates’
• Bride: think about, shop for and order your dress

Top Tip: Time for a break from the planning already? Why not enjoy afternoon tea at the resort to celebrate picking your bridal party 

10 Months to go...

• Arrange cake tastings and select cake supplier
• Begin wardrobe research for the wedding party
• Register your gift/wish list
• Plan & book your honeymoon 

9 Months to go...

• Pick your wedding theme/style
• Confirm your wedding transport
• Start planning your pre & post wedding events

Top Tip: Galgorm offers the ideal Resort setting to plan an epic 3 day celebration. Make the most out of the facilities by adding on a pre-wedding pamper or post wedding brunch or BBQ

Keep your eyes peeled for our brand new Galgorm Inspiration website launching in February 2017 for even more Wedding Planning tips...

In the meantime, find your fix of Wedding Inspiration over on our Galgorm Weddings Instagram!

FROM BALI TO BALLYMENA

WORLD LUXURY AWARDS SELECTS GALGORM AS HOST

Galgorm, Northern Ireland’s globally renowned luxury hotel and wellness destination, has been chosen to host one of the world’s most prestigious hospitality award ceremonies, the World Luxury Awards 2024.

The glittering grand gala is set to attract over 200 guests including VIPs, luxury hotel, spa and restaurant owners from countries across the globe, along with international media.

Galgorm is privileged to have been selected as the European host venue for the Awards on 19 October 2024, with a second ceremony taking place in Ayana Resort & Spa in Bali on 16 October.  

This is only the second time the awards have been held in the UK or Ireland with organisers choosing to return once more to the Galgorm venue after it successfully hosted the event in 2018.

John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism NI, said: “We are delighted to see the return of the World Luxury Awards to Galgorm Resort this year following the success of the event in 2018.

“Having the opportunity to welcome more than 200 luxury hospitality owners to Northern Ireland allows the destination to truly showcase internationally its sustainable, inclusive and innovative year-round, world-class tourism offering.”

Established in 2006, the Awards are accepted as the pinnacle of achievement for the luxury hospitality sector worldwide. Covering hotel, spa, restaurant and travel categories, they stand to reward and congratulate those which have excelled in their offering as voted by guests, travellers and industry players alike. Accolades are presented to winners on a country, regional, continent and global basis.

Speaking about the honour of hosting the ceremony, Colin Johnston, Galgorm Managing Director said; “This is truly a wonderful glamorous event celebrating best in class for the sector and we are very proud that the World Luxury Awards team have selected our venue as one of the two host locations this year.

“We could not be more thrilled to welcome the crème de la crème of the global hospitality industry to Northern Ireland and Galgorm.

“We are fully committed to enhancing the tourism infrastructure in Northern Ireland by delivering world-class facilities and providing an unrivalled customer experience to attract large events such as the World Luxury Awards. With the support of our loyal suppliers and partners we are excited to showcase our amazing produce, service and entertainment offering and we will ensure every guest receives an exceptional Northern Irish experience during their visit.

Joanna Macdonald, Events Manager from the World Luxury Awards said: “We are so excited to return to Galgorm in 2024 as our host for the Awards. We know that a magnificent event is guaranteed at this sensational, venue and we have no doubt each guest will receive a true, warm Irish welcome.

“Hosting an event of this stature is no small feat, every detail needs to be considered and every task and request undertaken with care. We chose Galgorm because we knew their highly professional team will deliver on our requirements and we know that the evening will be thoroughly enjoyed by all.”

The Awards are now open for entries @

www.theworldluxuryawards.com

-Ends-

For further media information, please contact LK Communications:

Nikki Larkin or Kayleigh Tinney

General Office: 028 9042 7004

nikki@lkcommunications.co.uk

kayleigh@lkcommunications.co.uk

Notes for Editors

IMPORTANT DATES TO DIARISE

Voting Season:                                              2 August – 23 August

Voting Interim Results:                               28 August

Gala Ceremony Booking Link:                   28 August (you will have the choice of which event you wish to attend)

Gala Ceremony Booking Deadline:           25 September

Final Results:                                                 21 October

To register and enter:

https://www.theworldluxuryawards.com/

About Galgorm

Situated just 30 minutes from Belfast and 2.5 hours from Dublin, Northern Ireland’s premier luxury hotel Galgorm is set within 450 acres of lush parkland next to the spectacular River Maine. The Resort is home to 125 luxurious guestrooms, as well as 29 cottage suites, 16 Shepherd’s Huts, six log cabins, four large residences and recently opened Forest Den accommodation. All lodging accommodation is dog-friendly and located just a stone's throw from the hotel. Its unique Thermal Spa Village was previously crowned Global Luxury Spa Hotel of the Year and in 2023, was awarded ‘Best UK Spa’ at the prestigious AA Hotel Spa Awards.

For further information visit

https://www.galgorm.com/

Facebook: facebook.com/Galgorm  

Instagram: @galgormresort

X: @GalgormResort