Tap into the current trend for forest breaks with an experiential stay at one of these new locations around Ireland …
There’s a huge buzz about the opening of nine new Woodland Suites and River Suites at The Montenotte, Cork in August. These elegant outdoor perches are surrounded by woodland overlooking the city and the River Lee. They were designed by architects Henry J Lyons and Kingston Lafferty Design in tandem with The Montenotte’s owners Frankie and Jo Whelehan. The sophisticated minimalism of the suites has been inspired by Scandinavian and Japanese design principles. Natural colours and fabrics, oodles of light, and living sedum roofs are features.
In addition, The Montenotte has partnered with Hometree to launch the “Nights-for-Nature” initiative; for every guest staying a tree is planted to support the conservation of Ireland’s woodlands. Overnight stays start from €680 and include access to all of the hotel’s facilities. Do have a Montenotte G&T in the Glasshouse cocktail bar, a Grown Alchemist or Dermaviduals treatment in its gorgeous Bellevue Spa and wander around the Victorian Gardens where there’s a sculpture exhibition curated by The Kildare Gallery. www.themontenottehotel.com
The Montenotte’s new Woodland Suite Experience chimes with the current trend for forest breaks. Mount Congreve Gardens, Co Waterford, opens its new Forest Hotel, comprising pretty gate lodges, family cabins, one- and two-bedroom lodges and apartments on September 7. www.mountcongreve.com
In Co Antrim, Galgorm has invested €3m to add Forest Dens to its impressive range of accommodation options (125 guest rooms, 29 cottage suites, 16 shepherd’s huts, six log cabins and three large residences). The Dens are part of Galgorm’s Forest Garden which will be completed in 2025, with forest walks, woodfired saunas, hot tubs and a rope bridge connecting the Thermal Spa Village on both sides of the Maine river. www.galgorm.com
More rustic are the new immersive experiences curated by forager and upcycler, Kloë Wood Lyndorff, and her partner, RHStrained horticulturalist, Adam Carveth, aka Two Green Shoots; www.twogreenshoots.com. They are inviting guests to their edible plant-filled paradise in the Beara Peninsula, where a new Forage, Feast and Paddle package includes a guided kayaking tour of Glengarrif Bay, home to seals, dolphins and the occasional basking shark. They also offer a private glamping experience in a Botanical bell tent, which sits in a forest clearing. Guests have their own private bathroom with a walk-in shower, an outside fire pit, and a welcome hamper of homemade treats. A minimum two-night stay costs €338 for two. www.airbnb.ie