Golfing break: Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland

(028 4372 1066; www.hastingshotels.com)

A peaceful retreat in a dramatic beachside setting housed in a vast 19th-century Gothic mansion with 16 similarly spacious treatment rooms. It has a rock sauna, amethyst steam room, Espa products and golfers’ treatments (after a round on the world-class Royal County Down course). A range of 55-minute massages cost £65 each.

Dublin escape: Carton House Spa, Maynooth, Co.Kildare, Ireland (+353 (0) 1 5052000; www.cartonhouse.com)

10 classic lifestyle holidays

We've sifted through our archive to dig out the most spiritually uplifting breaks to help you feel good

• The Good Spa Guide: Budget

Background

• Top 5 exotic detox retreats

• Top 5 serene retreats

• Top 5 adventure retreats

• Top 10 breaks to get you out of a rut

• 10 classic lifestyle holidays

8 best holistic spas

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Background

• Amberspa, Loch Lomond

• The Carrick Spa, Cameron House, Loch Lomond

• Westin Turnberry Resort Spa, Ayrshire, Scotland

• Auchrannie Spa Resort, Isle of Arran

• The Balmoral Spa, The Balmoral, Edinburgh

Background

• Bodysgallen Hall Spa, Llandudno

• Bryn Meadows Hotel Spa, Caerphilly, South Wales

• Celtic Manor, the Usk Valley

• Lake Vyrnwy Hotel Spa, Powys, Wales

• St David's Hotel & Spa, Cardiff

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• Spa review: Monart Spa, County Wexford

This country estate is only 30 minutes from Dublin and the airport. The spa is a maze of rooms over two floors in a former farm building adjoining the main Palladian mansion. There are seven decent-sized treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, swimming pool with Jacuzzi and a juice bar. A Regenerate package, using Molton Brown products and including a body polish and manicure or pedicure, costs about £80.

Trend setters: The G hotel, Wellpark, Galway, Ireland (+353 91 865 200; www.theg.ie/g/)

A minimalist, but warm and welcoming spa, that acts as a sanctuary from the extravagant hotel interior. The eight treatment rooms are roomy, with soft, heated beds and en-suite showers. A lofty black marble-lined contemporary atrium houses thermal suites including a crystal steam room and a softly-lit vitality pool area. Individual Espa treatments start from around €105 (£80) for a Skin-Brightener Intensive Facial. Expensive.

Fresh and wild: Delphi Mountain Resort and Spa, Leenane, Co. Galway (00 353 95 42987; www.delphiescape.com)

Breaks are affordable at this part shiny spa hotel, part outdoors centre in the wilderness of Ireland’s West Coast. Treatments and therapies are combined with a healthy dose of hiking and fishing among the bare-backed mountains and charging river that surround it. Overnight breaks start from £120 per person and include an organic seaweed bath and use of thermal suites. Refreshingly different and good value.

Small town hideaway: Samas Spa, Park Hotel Kenmare, Ireland

(00 353 64 41200; www.parkkenmare.com)

A sleek contemporary spa - glass walls, slate floors, mossy roof - in perfect harmony with its natural surrounds. Six candlelit treatment rooms, staff in khaki smocks and a warm outdoor vitality pool overlooks a rocky glade and the hotel’s grounds. Treatments cost about £90 an hour.

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