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12th March 2018
09:42am GMT
Staring out over the green fields of Cavan as I soak in an outdoor infinity pool, I can barely even remember what stress feels like.
I've been pampered for the entire day, I'm still nicely full from a luxurious afternoon tea, and I'm seriously contemplating quitting my job and becoming a full time lady of leisure (luckily this mad thought didn't last long.)
Where is this magical place that made me so relaxed? None other than Farnham Estate in Cavan, a country house spa hotel that's been around since the 1600s and still retains its old-worldly charm.
The hotel and spa are set on 1,300 acres of land (including an 18-hole golfcourse), with over two hours of lakeside walks and forest trails available if you wanted to stretch your legs.
Me? As soon as I checked into this haven, I knew there was no way I'd be leaving the cocoon of Farnham for at least 24 hours.
The hotel's suites are all situated in the old countryhouse part of the hotel, while the rest of the rooms are in the more modern area.
Walking in to the lobby, you'll see a lovely blend of the back of the old house (including its Roman-esque pillars) merged with a sleek glass and tile extension.
Standard rooms have all the usual bits 'n bobs, but you may want to request one on a higher floor if you fancy a view that isn't of an overgrown wall. Paul Costello toiletries add a glam touch that was very welcomed.
Served from a pretty art deco style cake stand, Afternoon Tea at Farnham Estate has an elegant selection of dainty savouries, with finger sandwiches including Turkey, Cranberry relish on Sourdough Bread Stick, Smoked Salmon Blinis, Irish Goats Cheese Tartlet and a Pulled Ham Brioche Bun.
There are also freshly made, fruit scones with traditional clotted cream and preserve, along with their seasonal selection of a Mulled Wine Berry Dessert, Homemade Mince Pies with an Almond Cream and a Date and Toffee Pudding...
Oh, plus an impressive selection of about 15 fresh teas to choose from.
I went with an 80-minute ESPA Mindfulness Massage (€149 including overnight stay and light lunch), which was specifically designed to help "unwind busy minds".
This holistic, deeply relaxing and clarifying treatment begins with mindfulness.
Guiding you through breathing and visualisation techniques, your therapist will calm both mind and body, feet are then massaged to re-balance and ground, before a soothing massage is continued up through the body, finishing with a re-energising scalp massage using warm rose quartz crystals.
The therapist even popped a pair of heated slippers onto my feet at the end of the treatment, which really made it for me. Heavenly.
The Farnham Estate Health Spa is one of the nicest you'll find in a 4* hotel. With an outdoor and indoor infinity pool (you swim outside via a little sliding door), massage jets and more steam room and saunas than you'd imagine, it's a beautiful place to relax for an afternoon.
Aroma steam baths, an Amethyst salt inhalation room, snail showers and two relaxation rooms complete with a heap of glossy magazines make it extra special.
Overlooking the front lawn of the estate, the Botanic Restaurant aims to celebrate the Irish botanical world, and uses fresh local produce throughout the menu.
I went with the Seared Scallops with a Pea Puree, Crispy Pancetta, Pistachio Nut Crumb to start, and the halibut for main, which was tender and meaty and perfectly flakey, coming with a clam beurre blanc and the yummiest garlick-y potatoes I've had in quite a while.
Underneath Farnham House is an array of underground tunnels which served as the kitchen and quarters for the Farnham House staff throughout the centuries.
Today, one of these tunnels located underneath the hotel’s reception area houses the Wine Goose Cellar Bar, a cosy redbrick bar with snug alcoves off each tunnel that are just made for a good ol' gossip.
Look, it was a tough weekend (jk I barely took more than 100 steps and even snoozed during my massage), so breakfast in bed seemed like the obvious way to finish off such a chilled stay.
Eggs, bacon, fresh OJ and a huge pot of steamin' tea, and you won't even have to change out off your fluffy robe to chow down. Heaven.
If you're looking to de-stress, eat alllllll the food, and basically live a weekend like the royalty you know you truly are, Farnham Estate is ideal.
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