A Castle Retreat

The Ultimate Staycation

at Ballygally Castle

The beautifully historic Ballygally Castle is delighted to be reopening to guests on 24th May 2021. Situated on the Antrim Coast Road, Northern Ireland, the hotel overlooks the sea and the soft, sandy beaches at the head of Ballygally Bay. Arguably summer's ultimate staycation destination, the castle, dates back to 1625 and is the only 17th-century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland today. Offering spectacular panoramic views from the Antrim Suite and new Coastal Deluxe Rooms, Ballygally boasting 54 rooms in total and is one of the largest hotels along this stunning coastline.

Seaside Destination

The untouched Causeway Coast route is a must-visit location in Northern Ireland. With Ballygally as the perfect shelter and positioned at the start of the scenic Antrim Coast, near the foot of the famous nine Glens of Antrim; radiate from the Antrim plateau down to the coast between Larne and Ballycastle, and Gobbins Path; a marine cliff walks initially built in the early 20th Century. The Causeway Coastal Route itself is as scenic, picturesque and inspiring as they come. Its breath-taking cliff walk offers unparalleled views across the Irish Sea to Scotland and over the Atlantic Ocean to Donegal, offering beautiful sandy beaches throughout the coastline.

Off the Beaten Track

Located only 26 miles from Belfast and with ferries running from Liverpool and Port of Larne, Scotland, Ballygally and the Antrim coast is an easily accessible destination. Steeped in history and one of the finest examples of a Norman castle in Ireland, Carrickfergus Castle is a must-visit attraction. Similarly, Giant's Causeway is arguably Northern Ireland's most famous attraction, with breath-taking landscapes filled with astonishing cliff formations making it a renowned area of outstanding natural beauty.

Ballygally Castle provides access to a variety of activities, ideally designed for the active traveller. These include Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Sheans Horse Farm adventures, outdoor laser tag, archery, and zip-lining – all of which can be arranged through the hotel concierge.

In recent years, tourists have flocked to Ballygally Castle for its proximity to the famous Game of Thrones filming locations, which can be seen on the hotel's curated tour and enjoyed alongside an inspired afternoon tea package.

Family Friendly Accommodation

Beautifully combining the new contemporary décor with the castle's traditional historical character, Ballygally is a

haven for the whole family. Offering six large family rooms, there is enough room for everyone - including the hotel's very own friendly ghost: Lady Isabelle Shaw. Those who dare can tiptoe up the winding staircase to the spine-tingling ghost room to catch a glimpse of Lady Isabella, who has been a resident at the hotel for over 400 years. Foodie families are encouraged to take a picnic into the Glen or enjoy one of the many afternoon tea options on offer alongside light bites in the lounge and a mouth-watering menu in the Garden Restaurant.

Perched on the tip of the famous Causeway Coastal Route, this stunning 17th-century castle has a range of delightful dining options and is home to one of the Game of Thrones® doors made from fallen trees of the iconic Dark Hedges.

BOOK IT

Enjoy an overnight stay at Ballygally Castle on a room only basis for £50pps or with Full Irish Breakfast from only £60pps.

For further information or to book a staycation with Hastings Hotels, go to

www.hastingshotels.com

Work, Live & Play in Mauritius

If you have ever dreamt of changing the pace of your life or living in a beautiful location for an extended period - now is the time to start planning that move for when we can travel again. With the new long-stay visa scheme announced by the Mauritian government, their vaccination programme in progress, and a great long stay rental offer from Heritage The Villas, Mauritius is a good option for those looking to move to a safe tropical destination to work, live and play.

Mauritius is now rolling out its vaccination programme, with employees working in tourism being prioritised amongst other groups. Visitors holding the Premium Visa are eligible to receive their vaccinations free of charge. Mauritius is the only country in the world which offers long-term visitor visas free of charge and a free Covid vaccine to holders of these visas.

The government is ready to restart the tourism industry on the island and make it as safe as possible for international visitors. Mauritius has had one of the world's best responses to the pandemic and the strict quarantine measures have meant there has been little disruption to social life in Mauritius since June 2020, with practically no known cases of community transmission.

Entry restrictions and quarantine requirements are expected to ease gradually as the vaccination programme rolls out. It is expected that tourists who have been vaccinated will soon be allowed to enter the country freely.

Heritage The Villas, located on Domaine de Bel Ombre on the south coast, provides a 'home from home' environment for an extended stay. The Domaine is a 2,500-hectare estate that is juxtaposed between rolling green hills and the Indian Ocean, where new residents have everything they need for a longer working stay. The three- and four-bedroom villas have mountain, golf course or sea views and each has a private garden with an expansive terrace and pool, that are perfect for alfresco dining and barbecues. High speed wifi and rooms that can be used as home offices, makes working from home a breeze.

Prices start from £2,800 per month for a minimum of 2 months stay in a 3 bed villa including all utilities, daily housekeeping, pool and garden maintenance, complimentary wifi and use of a 4 seater golf cart plus free daily green fees, free access to the two five star resorts –Heritage Awali and Heritage Le Telfair, and C Beach Club. The offer is valid until 23rd December 2021. To help visitors with the move to Mauritius and to get settled, the visa scheme offers an 'arrival concierge'. The service helps new residents find a home, a car, with banking service and telecoms.

The island has much to offer those looking for a base to work or run a business - a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure and a reliable ICT connectivity, an established business infrastructure of banking, financial and legal services, a range of office space and other business facilities. The time zone is also ideal for working remotely with just a 4-hour time difference to the UK. From early December until the beginning of April, the average daily temperature is about 29°C with 8 hours of sunshine per day.

Mauritius is considered one of the safest countries in the Indian Ocean region, with a low overall crime rate. It is a non-aligned country with strong and friendly relationships with the international community. The diversity and richness of cultures are at the core of the originality and charm of Mauritius. The country is a rare

example of social peace and unity in a multi-cultural society that is admired by the rest of the world.

After work, the leisure possibilities are extensive. You can relax on the white sand beaches, swim in the ocean, play a leisurely round of golf at the awardwinning Heritage Golf Club, chill out at the C Beach club, enjoy an array of water sports, have a relaxing spa treatment in the hotel's spa, go for a hike in the Heritage nature reserve or participate in the hotel's daily activity programme of classes and activities.

And if you don't feel like cooking, a private chef can be arranged to cook for you in your villa, or you can visit any of the Domaine's 12 restaurants at sister properties, Heritage Le Telfair and Heritage Awali, where you can enjoy a 20% discount on food (excluding Le Chateau and Awali Boma). From local Mauritian dishes in a fine dining 19th century chateau to 'toes in the sand dining' at a beach side restaurant, there is a different culinary experience for each day of the week.

Currently to enter Mauritius, you must currently take several Covid tests and quarantine in a governmentapproved hotel on a full board basis for 14 days on arrival.

For more information, visit www.heritageresorts.mu