SPA BREAKS
with lauren shiraka The Oceo Spa at Seafield Hotel
Serenity at Seafield A luxury retreat away from the stresses of everyday life awaits you at The Oceo Spa, Seafield Hotel, Co. Wexford.
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Relaxing in style
Relaxation area
One of 14 treatment rooms
Less than an hour from South Dublin, the Seafield Hotel is situated on the Ballymoney shore in County Wexford. Upon arrival, I was met by the scent of the Irish Sea and the nearby sound of its waves lapping against the shore
The Salon at Oceo Spa
On an earlier holiday, I found myself hobbling around Paris in an unfortunate pair of cowboy boots, cursing every step and each new pain accrued along the way. I spent the entire trip fantasising about new opportunities for sitting. And, with a little imagination and a lot of lethargy, the world soon became my sofa. It was this painful trip that both destroyed any hope of attaining the edgy, jet-setter image I had so long lusted after, and affirmed that my next holiday was destined to be as luxuriously lazy as humanly possible. After a month braving Dublin’s monsoon weather (at one point even taking hailstones to the eyes), a long weekend happily danced its way into my schedule. Having decidedly left my old boots and Metro passes at the wayside, I jumped at the opportunity to bask in solitude at the four-star Seafield Hotel, known for its inconceivably lavish Oceo Spa. Less than an hour from South Dublin, the Seafield Hotel is situated on the Ballymoney shore in County Wexford. Upon arrival, I was met by the scent of the Irish Sea and the nearby sound of its waves lapping against the shore, as if to say, “Bonjour!” With 65 hectares of rolling, leafy woodlands and verdant golf course surrounding the hotel, and no heavy traffic or swollen, grey clouds looming in sight, I felt a sudden surge of relief. From then on I knew this getaway was to have one overarching motto: Stress be damned. As I approached the hotel, I was further struck by
its smart design, with sharp lines and angles creating a modern, high-class feel. Sunlight swept across the greenery, seemingly following as I entered the hotel’s lobby, which was completely swathed in stunning natural light. Fighting delusions of Portugal, I had to tip my imaginary hat to Italian architect Francesco Beia for his supreme ingenuity. From the lobby, I continued onto my deluxe bedroom, where I was delightfully surprised to find that my room opened onto a communal balcony affording spectacular views of the surrounding 18-hole golf course and neighbouring Ballymoney. With the door to the balcony propped open, the wafting scent of brisk seaside air filled the spacious room in no time. The bedroom walls are taupe and each room is fitted with the fabulous ‘best’ lamp. The beds are covered with rich red throws on crisp white bedlinen and each bed has a luxurious pillow top mattress and a mounted plasma TV, the bedroom sung of contemporary class. If this was the deluxe bedroom, it was hard to imagine what new heights in luxury the hotel’s popular executive suites might hold in store. To inaugurate my descent into utter relaxation, I decided to avail of access to Seafield’s private beach and golf course. A long, meandering walk along the strikingly lush, cliff top course, designed by internationally renowned Peter McEvoy, erased any lingering memories of bustling daily commutes or
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SPA BREAKS
Manicures & Pedicures area in the Salon
torrential downpours. With such spectacular surrounds, it’s no wonder Seafield has hosted some of the world’s leading golfers, including 2007 Irish Open winner Padraig Harrington, Trevor Immelman, Justin Rose, US Open champion Reteif Goosen, British Open Winner Paul Lawrie, and English golf veteran Barry Lane - to name just a few. A finalist for the 2008 Professional Beauty Best European Spa of the Year Award, Seafield’s Oceo Spa is one of the most renowned luxury destinations in the country. Though the resplendence of the Seafield Hotel in itself affords enough lavishness for one weekend, the Oceo Spa was my true motive for visiting, and I was eager to ditch my jeans and sneakers for a bathrobe and slippers. Choosing from Oceo’s numerous treatment options was the most trying experience of the entire weekend. With 14 treatment rooms, including a thermal suite, hammam suite, rasul chamber, aromatherapy suites, monsoon showers, ice grotto, relaxation area, outdoor vitality pool and a 16-meter hydrotherapy pool, the opportunities for indulgence were limitless. Nearly resorting to closing my eyes and
Though the resplendence of the Seafield Hotel in itself affords enough lavishness for one weekend, the Oceo Spa was my true motive for visiting, and I was eager to ditch my jeans and sneakers for a bathrobe and slippers. pointing, I finally opted for the mineral body wrap and exfoliation treatment. After being coated in a mineral based clay mask from head to toe, I was wrapped a warm blanket and left to meditate, perhaps on the beauty of the world, or maybe on just how smooth my skin would be upon emerging from my man-made cocoon. Following the wrap was a tension-easing scalp massage, which moved me into uncharted territories of relaxation. With the best-spent 90 minutes of my life having come to an end, I was free to explore the highly anticipated hydrotherapy pool. Not since the Roman baths has such
a gorgeous pool existed. An unequalled opulence emanates from the bath, stemming from its thousands of gold leaf mosaic tiles, unique fibre optic lighting and surrounding gold Venetian plasterwork. Lured in by the elegant overhead lighting the restaurant is fitted with Roberto Cavilli chairs, eel skin leather from his new collection. I sat down to a three-course evening meal at Seafield’s restaurant. With traditional options such as goats’ cheese salad, and unique vegetarian choices such as wild mushroom gnocchi and marinated tofu, the restaurant offers delicious and wellpriced fare for all appetites. I supplemented my main course with a sparkling, fruity wine from the restaurant’s superb wine list, and topped off the meal with hot chocolate fondant with white chocolate and chilli ice cream for dessert. The meal left nothing to be desired, and was a truly comforting end to an already tranquil day. After two days at the hotel, I became completely versed in the ways of selfindulgence and had entirely sworn off of my previous, urban jet-setter ambitions. The easy life is surely the way to go, and it waits at Seafield Hotel & Oceo Spa. DECEMBER 2008 GOLFING 89
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