GM Spa Breaks
with lauren shiraka The Hydrotherapy Pool
Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa & Country Club Leave your troubles behind. This is too lavish an experience to waste worrying about the daily grind. Away from the famous golf course at Mount Wolseley is an oasis of calmness and well being. Golfing magazine THE CLUBHOUSE LEADER 99
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Sabia- Med
Rasul
Hydrotherapy Pool
Office zombie by day and comatose student by night, it’s not often that I am struck by my surroundings; but Mount Wolseley’s openair, marble lobby stopped me in my tracks.
The Relaxation Suite
In the immortal words of Robert Plant, I’ve been working from seven to eleven, and it really makes life a drag. Spending four hours a day commuting on Dublin Bus, I feel a greater sense of camaraderie with the throngs of teenagers who claim the back of the bus, stubbing their cigarettes out on their seats while keeping beat to Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise,” than with my actual angst-free, law-abiding friends. Between the office workweek and gruelling night classes, I have earned not only an endearing eye twitch, but also the reputation of “the one who never leaves her bed” amongst my flatmates. There’s some truth to that statement, as I tend to invest my spare time in striving for unconsciousness; and the last time I went out to a pub was last Halloween, when I spent most of the night helplessly caught between a dancing green Teletubby and his werewolf friend. Needless to say, I was eager to break my seven to eleven schedule and trade in my strict Spar sandwich diet for some four-star pampering. When I heard about the Sanctuary Spa at Mount Wolseley Hotel in County Carlow, I nearly choked on my turkey, tomato and cheese on a baguette before picking up the phone to book the Sunday Sanctuary Spa package. Luxury accommodation, Sunday evening dinner, a facial or massage and Monday morning breakfast to lovingly usher me into another backbreaking workweek--how could I resist? A naysayer might insist that less than 24 hours at a luxury hotel and spa is a waste of time and money.
“Why not simulate a Hammam wrap while lying in your mildewed bathtub?” he might say. Or, “Why not invest in one of those questionable, arachnid-like selfmassagers and pathetically grope at your own back instead?” My retort would be that even a limited time at Mount Wolseley can make a world of difference; and, from my own experience, what I put down in euros I immediately gained back in peace of mind, starting as soon as I stepped foot on the lush, waterfront property. Upon arrival, I was instantly struck by Wolseley’s magnificent golf course, which quietly meandered around the majestic estate, encompassing boundless hectares of rolling Carlow countryside. Looming against the skyline were the Carlow Mountains, whose image rippled and reflected in placid lakes. The course’s beauty was reflective not only of its legendary designer Christy O’Connor Jr., but also of its legendary features, including the ancient Dolmen, an early Christian burial mound. Office zombie by day and comatose student by night, it’s not often that I am struck by my surroundings; but Mount Wolseley’s open-air, marble lobby stopped me in my tracks. Awestruck, I tilted my head back to take in the spacious, ivory-washed walls and rich, mahogany coloured accents, all drenched in a soothing, pallid light. From the dazzling lobby, I moved my journey upstairs. An air of easy elegance followed me from the lobby, up the hotel’s soaring staircase, through its stylish, contemporary art lined gallery and into my deluxe bedroom, where I instantly threw down my bag and collapsed face first on my unbelievably plush oversized
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GM Spa Breaks
Treatment Room
bed. Once I mustered the energy to pull my face away from my pillow, I was able to take in the full effect of the room. Sunlight shone in broad rays from a large window, which boasted ambitious views of the roaming countryside estate with all its spectacular shades of green. The room itself exuded an atmosphere of total tranquillity, with accents crafted from the finest wood, and rich floral fabrics boding a sensation of luxury. The bathroom was carved out of exquisite white marble, lined not only with top quality products, but also with an incredibly soft bathrobe and matching slippers. Broadband access and a large, interactive television only pushed my desire to hole up and chill out to the next level. I immediately came to the conclusion that I would henceforth embrace my reputation as a bed-bound hermit if only I could take up permanent residence in Mount Wolseley’s accommodation. Imagine John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous bed stint, only replace the “make love not war” slant with an homage to 24-hour room service. Remembering my reason for coming, I made my way down to the Sanctuary Spa. Dressed in opulence from floor to ceiling, in the Sanctuary Spa, nothing comes across as an afterthought. Twinkling overhead
Dressed in opulence from floor to ceiling, in the Sanctuary Spa, nothing comes across as an afterthought. Twinkling overhead lights, glittering gold décor and earthy, silken tapestries complement one another to construct a seemingly otherworldly atmosphere. lights, glittering gold décor and earthy, silken tapestries complement one another to construct a seemingly otherworldly atmosphere. Once changed out of my street clothes, I was ushered into one of the spa’s 14 treatment rooms for an Oxygenating Facial, one of many options on the service menu. From Swedish massage to exotic wraps to flotation and Hammam, the Sanctuary Spa specializes in the most cutting-edge treatments and rituals from all over Europe and Asia. My Oxygenating Facial was a more traditional option, but left me with radical results. After only 60 minutes, my dry, tired
skin was but a memory, and I left the Spa soft-skinned and rosy-cheeked, ready to take on the world - or at least my dinner. The fare at Mount Wolseley’s Frederick’s Restaurant is nothing short of exquisite, with plenty of interesting twists spicing up traditional favourites. After sinking into a plush dining chair, I opted for a glass of wine direct from the Mount Wolseley cellar, and settled in for a three-course meal. I started with hot smoked duck breast, moved onto a braised shank of lamb and finished with the epic Rich Hot “Mount Wolseley Gold” Fondant, featuring wafer thin 24-karat gold flakes and a champagne sorbet. From top to bottom, the meal was both savoury and light, bursting with the type of freshness that only locally sourced ingredients can produce. Awaking revitalised the next morning, I scolded myself for not visiting Mount Wolseley sooner. No matter what your schedule, there’s always time for some luxury; and for those with a particularly hectic lifestyle, Mount Wolseley’s fourstar accommodation and world-class spa packages can always be tailored for a perfect fit. For further details on all special offers see www.mountwolseley.ie or Tel: 059 9180100 Golfing magazine THE CLUBHOUSE LEADER 101
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