Antrim hotel apologise for advertising ‘bikinis and balaclavas’ spa package

Fiona Frawley

facebook ad which reads 'bikinis and balaclavas' - women wearing bikinis and balaclavas on either side of the caption, with smaller pictures of afternoon tea and spa treatments below

The country house has apologised for any offence caused, but have also assured that the package will still be available under a different name.

Boutique hotel Rosnashane House have taken to social media to issue an apology for their ‘bikinis and balaclavas’ branded spa offer which has been described as being in ‘bad taste’.

The package was advertised on the hotel’s Facebook page last week, along with a rundown of what the deal includes.

“Arrive to let off some steam at our private gun range… then enjoy a 30-minute private hot tub with drink of choice”, the description reads.

“Finish off with a 30-minute spa treatment of choice… then head home and get ready for a night on the town or a night in after a great day’s fun”.

The post also included pictures of models dressed in bikinis and people dressed in camo, holding airsoft guns.

The ad which has since been removed has been described as offensive by Causeway Coast and Glens DUP councillor Mervyn Storey.

The councillor wrote: “To say that this is bad taste is putting it mildly. There is nothing glamorous in using balaclavas and guns to promote any business. Where is the respect for victims of horrific violence?”

Rosnashane House has since apologised for the ad, insisting no offence was meant.

“It had been brought to our attention that some people may have found our Bikinis and Balaclavas package offensive, this was in no way our intention and as a business we have always strived to put our guests wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do”, they wrote.

“This has been one of our most popular packages since it was first announced over a year ago based around our on site airsoft range.

“Rosnashane House is a diverse company with a team made up of members both sides of the community, in addition to supporting many fundraising events for cross community organisations.

We apologise for any offence this may have caused”.

The hotel have also thanked members of the public for their messages of support, and insisted that the package is here to stay – they’re just in the process of renaming it. In fact, they’re looking for a bit of help in this area, and have taken to Facebook once more to ask their 90,000 followers for new name suggestions.

Ideas so far include “License to Chill”, “Rifles, Rest & Relax” and the “Wee Won’t Do Your Knees Inn” package.

Header image via Facebook/Rosnashane House