Embrace the Staycation spirit and stay at home in Northern Ireland

As the spirit and togetherness of our communities came to the fore in recent months, Northern Ireland staycation providers are ready to give local visitors a giant welcome as lockdown eases.

Self-catering accommodation, campsites and caravan parks are reopening in less than 10 days from June 26, while hotels and bars will begin to reopen from July 3.

Places to stay have put measures in place to ensure guests are comfortable and relaxed within safe surroundings and bookings are already pouring in. Take a trip to explore adventures on your doorstep, with packed itineraries to discover across Northern Ireland this summer.

Start your local adventure by picking your perfect place to stay, from peaceful panoramic views of the sea to luscious green forest surroundings, here is some accommodation inspiration from Tourism NI:

Heavenly Hotels

4* Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Co. Down

Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, only a two-hour drive from Dublin, the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa has a golden strand of beach borders to one side while the mighty Royal County Down Golf Links frames the other. With 180 luxurious bedrooms, a world class spa and ESPA treatments and restaurants such as The Oak and The Percy French, there is no shortage of options for the perfect holiday.

Tollymore Forest Park is close by and a key location in the HBO success Game of Thrones®. Silent Valley, Castlewellan Country Park and Murlough Bay Nature Reserve are ideal locations for walking and exploring, not to mention the many mighty Mourne Mountain peaks on the doorstep.

The Slieve Donard Hotel will reopen on July 3 with rates from B&B £180 per room (double) and from £200 for a family room (2 adults 1 child).

4* Bishops Gate Hotel, Londonderry

The reborn 4* Bishop’s Gate Hotel blends its Edwardian Grace with modern comfort. With over 200 years of history carved into its foundations, the hotel has been sensitively restored to pay homage to the rich heritage of the building. 31 luxurious guestrooms, a resident’s lounge, fitness area, restaurant, champagne and cocktail bar as well as prime location in the city centre make it the perfect hotel for a city break.

When in Derry, a tour of the City Walls is a must for every visitor. These 17th century fortifications make this the last completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples in Europe.

Bishop’s Gate Hotel will reopen on July 3 with a special offer of £149 per room which includes overnight stay, breakfast, dinner and prosecco.

4* Titanic Hotel, Belfast

Built in the beautifully restored 19th century Harland & Wolff Headquarters, the Titanic Hotel Belfast’s lavish interiors have been exquisitely finished to reflect the innovation and craftsmanship Harland & Wolff poured into its designs for the Titanic. All of the bedrooms have a nautical personality with streamlined Art Deco furniture, hanging ship’s lanterns, riveted panels and maritime artwork. Enjoy dinner at the Wolff Grill Restaurant and a cocktail at the Harland Bar.

The award-winning Titanic Belfast is literally on the hotel doorstep while a short stroll by the slipways will bring you to ‘The Great Light’ and an area steeped in maritime history and heritage.

Titanic Hotel Belfast will reopen on July 3. Prices start from £159 per room for an overnight stay with breakfast, two course evening meal, one complimentary car park space for 24 hours.

4* Galgorm Resort & Spa, Co. Antrim

The River Maine winds its way through this spa resort set on over 150 acres, with easy access to the Causeway Coast and all that it has to offer. When you book one of the hotel’s luxurious rooms, suites, cabins or cottages, you get access to the unique Thermal Village & Spa with indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms, sauna and snow cabin. There are four restaurants on site and the choice of afternoon tea in the idyllic conservatory setting.

Earlier this year, the hotel opened McKendry’s, a whiskey lover’s haven, boasting an encyclopedic whiskey collection of over 300 blends from 21 countries. Don’t forget they also have a Gin and Cocktail Bar which is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive menus across the island of Ireland. A major investment in new technology will also support the stringent measures put in place at the resort.

Galgorm Resort & Spa will reopen on July 24 with rates from £178 per night (including the Thermal Spa Village, River Room Restaurant & Conservatory, Fratelli, Castle Kitchen + Bar and McKendry’s Bar + Lounge).

Stunning Spaces Under the Stars

4* Finn Lough Resort, Co. Fermanagh

A stand-out glamping experience, the Bubble Domes at Finn Lough have 180-degree transparent walls to give the feel of sleeping in the wild while in the lap of luxury. Each dome comes with a four-poster bed and its own ensuite bathroom along with luxury surprises and creature comforts such as a Nespresso machine and a fluffy robe. There are two miles of woodland to explore, cycle trails, water-sports and of course the spa - a two hour private ‘Element Trail’ experience. They also have Lakeside Lodges, Waterside Cottages and Catered Suites.

Fermanagh is a haven for water enthusiasts so why not hire the wee red boats in Enniskillen or go hydro-biking at Castle Archdale? The county has numerous stunning viewpoints over Lough Erne and an array of National Trust properties and stately homes (pre-booking essential).

The Finn Lough estate will reopen on July 9 with rates from £245 per night for the Bubble Domes.

Further.Space Glamping, Various Sites

Introducing new and unique holiday pods by further.space to the 17th-century Glenarm Castle that offer the perfect rural getaway along the Causeway Coastal Route. They’re cosy, fully furnished and have all the comforts of home including electric, running water and heating and feature an expansive glazed entrance, coffee dock, shower room, and somewhere to sit and relax.

Pods are for up to 4 people with a comfy double bed and hotel-quality bed-linen included, plus integrated bunkbeds tucked away, ideal for tweens or teens. Wi-Fi comes as standard, as do slots to charge phones and laptops. You can bring your own food or have the option of pre-ordering a breakfast or BBQ pack delivered to your pod!

The Glenarm location is walking distance from Glenarm Harbour and a short drive to the stunning Glenariff Forest Park.

Further.space will reopen on July 10 and pod prices range from £120 per night per pod which can accommodate a family of 2 (2 adults and 2 kids in bunk beds). Further locations available in Ballycastle, the Dark Hedges and a new site on the shores of Lough Erne in Fermanagh will open later in the summer.

Tepee Valley, Co. Armagh

Located outside the small town of Markethill, Tepee Valley Campsite has exceptional views over farming countryside, down to the Cusher River and across to Slieve Gullion in the distance.

A tepee for two, or a ‘festy tent’ for four, small yurts, log cabins, a shepherd’s hut and even a geodesic dome are just some of the fun options for you and the family to stay in! Each of them is carefully decorated with historical elements which complement the era in which they originated, such as the vintage china in the caravan and gorgeous roll top bath in Abram’s House.

Tepee Valley Campsite will reopen from June 26 with prices starting at £140 for a tepee, £160 for a log cabin, £140 for a gypsy caravan and £150 for the geodesic dome. Cost is for 2 nights and accommodation can hold 2-5 people depending on choice.

Sperrin View Glamping, Co. Tyrone

Enjoy a spot of star gazing in these new luxury glamping pods at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains, in a ‘Dark Sky Designated Area’. Each pod comes fully equipped with its own kitchenette, shower and a unique viewing window - perfect for budding astronomers or romantics out there who want to sit back, relax and star gaze.

Sited close to the ancient Beaghmore Stone Circles, the area is at the heart of a rich landscape of substantial archaeological and cultural significance and a history which spans millennia.

Sperrin View Glamping will reopen from June 26 with limited availability midweek for £120 for 2 people sharing.

Spectacular Self-Catering

5* Curran Gate Portrush, Causeway Coast

Curran Gate are luxury self-catering three bedroom apartments in Portrush with breath-taking views over the North Atlantic East Strand and Royal Portrush Golf Club. All apartments are fully equipped with hospitality package - silverware, crockery and utensils. Complimentary Wi-Fi and Sky TV including Sky Sports and dedicated car parking is also available.

Portstewart and Portrush have a number of Blue Flag beaches you can visit as well as some stunning coastal walks.

Curran Gate Apartments will reopen on June 26. Price is £330 per night for a 3 bedroom apartment which sleeps 6 people.

4* Crannagael House, Co. Armagh

Located in the midst of the apple growing country of Co. Armagh, Crannagael House offers a tranquil getaway location, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and located next to a Grade 2 listed Georgian House. The self-contained apartment on the East Wing sleeps up to 5 people with a fully fitted kitchen, dining area and lounge. Rates include a supply of logs for the wood burning stove, free range eggs (when hens are laying!) and fresh vegetables when in season.

The lovely Georgian city of Armagh is 15 minutes away and has so much to offer – two cathedrals, Georgian architecture around the Mall and wonderful restaurants.

Crannagael House will reopen on June 26 and rates are £150 per night, Saturday & Sunday £270, Friday-Sunday £375.

4* Kribben Cottages, Co. Down

Kribben Cottages are a cluster of five luxury self-catering cottages nestled against the magnificent back drop of the Mourne Mountains in a rural picturesque setting close to the seaside town of Newcastle. You can bring the whole family on this dog-friendly holiday, with the quality accommodation perfect for families and groups. The spacious interior includes fully fitted kitchen, utility room, comfy leather sofas, cosy wood burning stove and under floor heating throughout.

Ideal location for hill walkers/hikers, golfers and families who can enjoy the many forest parks, horse riding, mountain biking, cycling and beaches.

Kribben Cottages will reopen on the June 26th and rates include 2 bed cottages for £310 for 2 nights and 3 bed cottages for £390 for 2 nights.

Book in advance to avoid disappointment, check out local councils and attractions for updates on car-parking and opening times. To learn more and start planning your short break visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.