This month’s Spa of the Month:

Irish Charm

Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa, County Mayo, Ireland

By Nora Schutte

The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa is located on the banks of the River Moy near Ballina in County Mayo, Ireland. This idyllic, north coastal region of Mayo offers a secluded, forested haven for the world-weary traveler. The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa is a deluxe four-star family-run estate that was completely renovated in 2002. In addition to the 32-bed baronial house, there are also 45 luxury lodges and residences tucked throughout the 100-acre property. The hotel includes a leisure center and spa, built for the guest seeking a complete, rejuvenating sojourn. The spa is an intimate, boutique-style refuge with an open manicure/retail area. Modern, multipurpose treatment rooms are cozy and warm with soft earth tones. The services and amenities offered suit the solo visitor, as well as wedding and corporate groups.

The hotel also offers spa, bridal and weekend packages. The PJ and Slippers Party package is a wonderful getaway option.

Fairy tale beginnings

The “castle,” as locals refer to it, was built for a bride, and represents a young man’s love for her. He believed she was so special that she deserved to live in a castle. This stunning structure looks as impressive today as it would have in 1876 when it was first built. Since its completion, high-profile guests from around the world have visited the beautiful resort. Vivien Leigh, Peter Sellars, Patrick Hillery, M.D., Jack Lynch, Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, John Cooke and Nick Faldo have enjoyed all that Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa has to offer.
The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa is a sought-after wedding venue in Ireland, as it is an ideal place for couples to spend their special day. The hotel’s spa has a team of expert therapists to help with last-minute preparations on the wedding day. Grooms can also pass away the wedding morning fishing for wild Atlantic salmon or fly fishing on the nearby lake.
The hotel is known as the leading wedding venue in western Ireland, and achieved the prestigious AA (Automobile Association) Hotel of the Year award for 2009-2010. The historic property combines old-world charm with modern-day facilities.

These packages allow the guest to sample another great hotel facility and amenity: gourmet food from its double-AA Rosette award-winning Kitchen Restaurant.

The spa

The spa at Mount Falcon is the centerpiece of a revitalizing stay. Clients check in with friendly staff who show them to locker rooms. A specific locker is assigned to guests and comes with a luxury robe, slippers, towels and travel-size beauty products. It is a lovely start to the spa experience and sets the tone for a relaxing visit.
The hotel proudly promotes its spa and makes service menus available in all guest rooms and lodges. The menu describes and illustrates all the tempting treatments available, from facials and massages to reflexology and nail services. The hotel also offers spa, bridal and weekend packages. The PJ and Slippers Party package is a wonderful getaway option. The package includes complimentary bathrobes, slippers, toiletries, chilled champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and two nights in a luxury three-bed lakeside lodge for 480 euro per person. This is a grand means for romantic couples or girls-only weekenders to get away and pamper themselves in a deluxe hotel and spa. Guests can take advantage of their complimentary attire and arrive ready for rejuvenation.
The menu also lists great day packages, such as the Sensational Spa Package and the Ultimate Spa Package. Both include advanced performance facials, deep tissue massage, robes, slippers, towels and a light lunch. The Ultimate Spa Package also includes the lime and ginger salt glow scrub. These packages allow the guest to sample another great hotel facility and amenity: gourmet food from its double-AA Rosette award-winning Kitchen Restaurant. Head chef Philippe Farineau and his team ensure that lunch is a delightful conclusion to the spa experience.

Divine delights

My sister’s wedding is what brought me to this faraway destination. I was ready for pampering on the morning of my appointment, having celebrated my heart out at the wedding the previous day. My sister and I had already received French manicures the evening before the wedding and I was warmly welcomed back when I returned for a facial and massage. I had reserved the Absolute Spa Ritual, which includes the Advanced Anti-Aging Facial and a full-body massage. Treatments also include full use of the leisure center’s pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gym and locker room with showers.
Deirdre, my professional beauty therapist, conducted a thorough skin analysis and asked relevant questions regarding my lifestyle. We chose the Pro-Collagen Quartz Lift Facial, which proved to be one hour and fifteen minutes of bliss. It included specialized lifting techniques and professional strength firming serums to impart a clear, youthful appearance. This was smoothly followed with a Nurturing Massage for Mums-To-Be, since I was 23 weeks pregnant at the time. Careful positioning on the couch was beautifully orchestrated with support pillows to ensure safety and relaxation. Suitable oils were administered to relieve tension in the back and swelling on my feet, which were worn out from dancing at the wedding. The warm, cozy treatment room and healing hands of the therapist lulled me into a peaceful slumber. It was with great reluctance that I roused myself to join Deirdre at the reception desk for my skin care prescription. It detailed a suitable cleanser, exfoliant, mask and moisturizer with prices and instructions for usage. I was able to purchase these products in one specially priced package called Essential Beauty Secrets.

The spa offers a multitude of services while retaining just a handful of skilled and talented therapists. This employee flexibility helps contribute to the bottom line.

Employee versatility

The spa at Mount Falcon employs local professional beauty therapists who are European trained, which requires the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie diplomas. This qualifies beauty therapists to do facials, makeup and waxing as well as nails, body treatments and massage. The spa offers a multitude of services while retaining just a handful of skilled and talented therapists. This employee flexibility helps contribute to the bottom line.
The hotel also boasts modern conference facilities in a country setting. The high-tech, well-equipped meeting rooms attract the corporate visitor. With telephone, broadband, Wi-Fi access and cellular reception throughout the estate, it is perfect for the business traveler. Here they can attend a work event and maintain a connection to their corporate world while taking advantage of leisure activities. The spa is well poised to embrace the busy working guest with some much needed rejuvenation.

With its warm country feel and modern facilities, it is well equipped to sustain a successful business.

Modern methods, old-world charm

The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa has done a wonderful job in providing excellent service to both local and visiting guests. The private wooded waterside location is ideal for a relaxing day visit, weekend getaway or extended vacation. In this way, the spa benefits from both regular clients and traveling guests partaking in luxury packages. With its warm, country feel and modern facilities, it is well equipped to sustain a successful business. The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa is the perfect location for a relaxing escape. Guests stay in a deluxe suite or private modern lodge and let their everyday stresses fade away. The Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Spa is a refuge for clients to spend the days revitalizing their mind, bodies and souls.