Culloden Estate and Spa.

Set in the Holywood Hills just five miles from Belfast, this 19th-century Gothic mansion was originally built as a palace for the Bishops of Down. Today, the estate sprawls across 12 acres of secluded woodland and gardens, offering dramatic views over Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline. Inside, the hotel embraces its heritage with stained-glass windows, chandeliers, and antique details, paired with spacious rooms featuring King Koil Cloud Beds. Guests can wander past California redwoods on the grounds, book ESPA treatments at the spa—which features an indoor pool and marble steam room—or choose between fine dining at Vespers and casual pints at the Cultra Inn. It remains one of Northern Ireland's most prestigious retreats, blending historic scale with resort-style privacy.