Culloden Estate and Spa
Grand Victorian estate meets warm Irish country house. Formal enough to feel genuinely special, relaxed enough that you won't feel awkward. Think chandeliers and cloud beds and a glass of Bollinger on the terrace.
Request a Lough-facing room at booking — not all rooms have the view and it makes a significant difference
Why It Matters
Northern Ireland's only five-star hotel outside Belfast city centre. Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Virtuoso. Vespers restaurant holds Two AA Rosettes (2025). The spa won Luxury Spa of the Year at the 2024 Travel and Hospitality Awards. Cultra train station sits literally at the bottom of the estate grounds for direct rail access to Belfast city centre.
A Gothic Scottish Baronial mansion built in 1876 as the official palace for the Bishops of Down, the Culloden Estate and Spa sits on 12 acres of gardens and woodland high on the Holywood Hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline. It's Northern Ireland's only five-star country estate hotel and the flagship of the Hastings Hotels group. Interiors go full stately home: stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces, chandeliers, rich red walls, and Victorian oak panelling in the dining room. But the welcome is warm rather than stuffy — proper Irish hospitality in a very grand setting.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Deluxe King
Slightly larger than the Garden Room with more contemporary styling. Features a King Cloud Bed, deep soak bath, separate power shower, and ESPA toiletries. Overlooks the landscaped hotel grounds. A solid step up in space without going full suite.
King · 28.5 sqmDeluxe Lough View Room
The same specification as the Deluxe King but positioned for direct Belfast Lough views. Worth the upgrade if scenery matters to you — waking up to the lough on a clear day is the real Culloden experience.
King
Estate Room
A step above Deluxe in both size and décor, with timeless, individually styled interiors. Features a gas-fire lounge area in some configurations and views of the estate grounds. Good choice for longer stays where you want a bit more breathing room.
KingEstate Suite
65m² of proper suite space with a separate lounge featuring a gas fire, dining area, and views of the grounds or — in some configurations — Belfast Lough. Each suite is individually designed so layouts vary. The bathroom has a deep-soak bath, separate power shower, and ESPA amenities. A genuinely comfortable base for a multi-night stay.
King · 65 sqmGarden Room
The entry-level room at the Culloden, and it's still well above average. Located on the Belfast Lough side of the building, many rooms look out onto the manicured estate. King Cloud Bed with red and gold Egyptian cotton linen, en-suite with shower and premium ESPA toiletries. Some family configurations available — call ahead to request.
King · 26.5 sqm
Honeysuckle Apartments
Self-catering apartments on the estate grounds offering more space and independence with access to all hotel facilities.
Palace Suite
The flagship suite at 100m², with a private balcony overlooking Belfast Lough and Cavehill — said to have inspired Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels. A king bedroom plus a large separate living room with antique dining table and HD TV. The palette runs purple, green, and gold with marble accents, velvets, and bespoke furnishings. The lavish bathroom has a deep soaking tub, walk-in shower, and ESPA toiletries. This is what the Bishop would have wanted.
King · 100 sqm
Stag Lodge Apartments
Self-catering apartments on the estate grounds for longer stays or those wanting more independence. Full kitchen facilities, set within the private estate.
The Gate Lodge Apartment
A self-catering apartment within the historic gate lodge of the estate. Characterful option for couples or small groups wanting estate access with self-catering flexibility.
Tower Suites
Located within the original 1876 palace itself, these suites are the real heritage experience. Double-height ceilings, fine Irish fabrics, and uninterrupted Lough views. A spacious lounge area, king bed with premium linens, deep soaking tub, and separate power shower. Each suite is individually designed — no two are identical. The most atmospheric rooms in the building.
King · 53 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Seasonal outdoor champagne garden at the Cultra Inn. Al fresco Bollinger drinking on the terrace, open during warmer months.
12 acres of manicured gardens and woodland with outdoor art installations and sculptures. A proper country estate to explore — the grounds slope down towards the Lough with good views throughout.
Rory McIlroy's home club, just minutes from the hotel. The Culloden offers combined Stay & Play packages.
One of only five Royal-status golf courses in Ireland — the oldest golf club in Ireland — situated along Belfast Lough, a few minutes from the hotel. The Culloden offers Stay & Play packages including spa and breakfast.
Group fitness classes available throughout the week in the Spa's dance studio. Full weekly timetable on the website.
Guided heritage tour of the original 1876 Bishop's Palace, included in the Graceful Years package. Explores the history of the building and its ecclesiastical past.
The Stay & Discover: W5 package combines overnight accommodation with breakfast and complimentary tickets to W5 — Belfast's interactive science and discovery centre — for the whole family.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
3 fully wheelchair accessible double rooms with a full wet room. Beds can also be configured as twin.
On-site business centre. All rooms also come with a dedicated desk and workspace for business travellers.
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout all rooms and public areas.
Juice bar located within the Spa health club.
Dance studio within the Spa health club, used for group fitness classes.
State-of-the-art gym with cardio-theatre equipment, free weights, and a fitness consultation clinic. Open Mon–Fri 6:30am–9pm, Sat–Sun 8am–8:30pm.
Free on-site parking for all guests, including accessible parking spaces.
Deck-level indoor pool with Lough views, open to all hotel guests on a complimentary basis. Children's swimming times: daily 9–11am and 4–6pm.
All rooms are air-conditioned.
Breakfast, all-day dining, and night-time dining menus available to the room. £10 tray charge applies per order.
Full concierge service including restaurant bookings, activity planning, and taxi scheduling.
Hastings Hotels gift cards redeemable across the estate for rooms, spa, and dining.
Eucalyptus Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Rainforest Shower, Sauna, and linear vitality pool with garden views. Complimentary for all hotel guests.
BUILD YOUR CULLODEN ESTATE AND SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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