Hastings Hotels

<div class="page side-photo"> <article> <div class="image" style=" background-color:#fff; background-image:url(/uploads/5af2a20716441.jpg); background-position: 64% 54%; "></div> <div class="container" style="background-color: #fff;"> <header style="font-family: ; color: #000;"> <h1>What the Press say</h1> </header>  <div class="main"> Martin Breen, Editor of the Sunday Life reviews his stay at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa.With just a few months to go until Hastings Hotels open their latest stunning property, the towering Grand Central in Belfast, things have never been busier for Northern Ireland’s flagship hotel group. As a recent stay at The Slieve Donard Resort and Spa Hotel in Newcastle, County Down proved, they are still on top of their game and delivering fantastic guest experiences.Lying back in the hotel’s hot-tub looking out at where the majestic Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea has got to be one of the most relaxing experiences on this island.Recently and deservedly named one of Northern Ireland’s Top 100 Hospitality Businesses by Hospitality Ulster, the Victorian hotel is one of our grandest places to stay.<img src="/uploads/5af2a1638390f.JPG" style="width: 698px;">With such a stunning facade on the seafront, it has won a string of awards including Irish Hotel of the Year at the 2017 Irish Hotel Awards.As soon as you are whisked through the doors of the Slieve Donard by the smartly-dressed doormen, you know you are in for a very special stay.As you check in you will be amazed by its grandeur and instantly feel at home thanks to a roaring fire beside reception.The 180-bedroom hotel really does cater for everyone from a family holiday or romantic getaway to a spa break or golfing trip.<img src="/uploads/5af2a185e4647.jpg" style="width: 698px;">HAVENThe hotel backs on to one of the world’s top golf courses, Royal County Down, so don’t be surprised to see top golfers in the hotel during your visit.After checking into a fantastic room, with its big, soft and luxurious beds overlooking the beach with the Mourne Mountains in the background, I made my way down to the haven of escapism that is the spa. It has countless treatments to help you relax or soothe aching muscles but I just fancied spending some time in the hot-tub and the vitality pool.The glass-fronted spa, with its panoramic view over the coastline, instantly gives an aura of relaxation.You could easily spend hours just sitting there chilling on one of the loungers or trying out the pool and the sauna or steam room.<img src="/uploads/5af2a1b5637cc.jpg" style="width: 698px;">No trip to the Slieve Donard would be complete without trying one of their dining experiences. You can choose from fine dining in the Oak Restaurant, casual pub grub in the Percy French restaurant at the hotel gates, or healthy options, such as smoothies, salads and sandwiches, in the Lighthouse Lounge.I decided to eat in the Percy French, named after the songwriter whose famous compositions include The Mountains of Mourne. The restaurant is the proud home of one of the famous Game of Thrones doors.Named Door No 3, it is crafted from one of the fallen beech trees at the iconic Dark Hedges, which was the King’s Road in the hit HBO TV series. The intricately carved door depicts the demise of Rickon Stark’s Direwolf, Shaggydog, the three-eyed raven and the rise of House Greyjoy’s family crest — the Kracken.With a cosy, welcoming country pub feel to it inside, the restaurant has a great selection of meat and fish dishes, including a fantastic 14oz Glenarm Cote de Boeuf on the bone, from the award-winning, Moira-based Hannan Meats. The hotel, like all the hotels in the Hastings Group, has invested in a commitment to locally-sourced produce, allowing the menu to boast wonderful dishes like this.<img src="/uploads/5af2a1ccba93a.jpg" style="width: 698px;">The quality of the produce was never more evident than with the cooked breakfast next morning, with the most delicious bacon and sausages. My favourite was the Carnbrooke Meats honeybee sausages made from pork, spice and Mourne heather honey.Having spent many summer holidays in Newcastle as a child I made sure to make my way down to the promenade a few minutes’ walk away. Filled with coffee shops, amusement arcades, an outdoor swimming pool, bars, restaurants and shops, there is more than enough to keep the whole family occupied.If you fancy taking in the wider area you can obviously go for a hike in the Mournes or Tollymore Forest Park. Tollymore offers horse riding, cycling, nature trailing or picnicking by the Shimna River.If you’re planning a 2018 staycation, then book the Slieve Donard if you want a real treat.For reservations at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa contact us on 028 4372 1066 or <a href="https://www.hastingshotels.com/slieve-donard-resort-and-spa/">click here</a> to visit our website.  </div> </div> </article> </div>

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Crown May 2018