5 reasons Laois is the ultimate girls' getaway
Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery, a spa robe and a few of your favourite people to feel like yourself again.
And while the big-name spots can often steal the spotlight, Co Laois is carving out a name for itself as the ideal setting for a girly escape.
Just over 45 minutes from Dublin, this Midlands gem has everything you need for a weekend of fun and a little bit of luxury.
But why is Laois the ultimate girls' getaway:
1. Choose your own adventure
Laois might be known for its festivals and championships, but that's not all you'll find here. There's so much to see and do.
Go hiking the Ridge of Capard boardwalk in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Kick off at the Capard trailhead, where a short stroll leads to a viewing platform with incredible views across Laois and beyond. On a clear day, you might even glimpse the Wicklow Mountains in the distance!
Then, head through the gardens of Emo Court, where you can take in the elegance of the house, stroll beneath the trees, or just enjoy a cappuccino in the tearooms.
Or visit the Rock of Dunamase, just outside Portlaoise. This hilltop ruin was once a powerful Celtic stronghold, with stone walls and incredible views – perfect for some group selfies to remember your trip away!
Cap off the trip with a well-earned tasting session at Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally, inside a 230-year-old stone courtyard on a working family farm. Or explore Ireland's first eco-friendly garden centre, Solas, where you can browse plants, pick up local crafts, and sip coffee in a stylish greenhouse café.
From the Timahoe Round Tower just outside Portlaoise, to the Gash Gardens, to hopping aboard a narrowboat along the Grand Canal, you can choose your own adventure!
2. Spa bliss
No girls' getaway is complete without some serious pampering, and the 4-Star Heritage Hotel & Spa delivers in spades. Set against the beautiful Laois countryside, it is one of Ireland's most luxurious spa experiences.
Home to a Thermal Suite, the spa has a Himalayan Salt Cave, a Rustic Sauna Cabin, and lots of heated and cooling experiences designed to soothe body and mind.
It's also the only place in Ireland where you'll find both an authentic Hammam and Mud Rasul treatment, which are a must-try for anyone looking to detox, reset, and feel more radiant.
Float through the hydrotherapy pool, melt into a heated lounger, or drift off during a relaxing Elemis facial and wake up to glowing skin.
You can choose from a wide range of treatments, including deep tissue massages, wraps, and bespoke facials tailored just for you.
3. Close to everything but far from the routine
One of the best things about planning a trip to Laois is how easy it is to get there and how quickly it feels like you've stepped away from the everyday.
Whether you're coming from Dublin, Cork, or Galway, you won't need to pack a passport or plan for hours on the road. In just a short drive, you'll find walks, spa days, and lunches with friends are all on the cards, and deadlines feel a million miles away.
It's the perfect escape from the city this summer, where you can breathe and recharge in the heart of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.
4. From afternoon tea to sunset cocktails
Food is a big part of any getaway, and Laois knows how to make it count. Whether it's cocktails on a terrace, casual bites between spa sessions, or dinner that feels like a real treat, you'll find plenty of spots here.
The Heritage has two incredible dining options: The Seven Bar offers all-day casual dining, perfect for laid-back lunches, brunches, or pre-dinner cocktails. If the sun's out, grab a seat on the leafy Terrace, where the retractable roof lets the sunshine in and the cocktails flow.
For a more refined time, Blake's Restaurant has elegant evening dining, where the menu celebrates the best of local Laois produce. The head chef is passionate about reducing food miles and creating seasonal dishes that highlight the very best the Midlands has to offer.
And of course, no girls' trip is complete without Afternoon Tea. Served daily in The Galleria, it's a spread of sandwiches, pastries, and sweet treats, all with a glass of bubbles!
5. The perfect pad for the whole gang
Forget awkward room arrangements because at The Heritage, every single bedroom has been recently renovated and upgraded to ensure maximum comfort and luxury.
Their new two-bedroom group suites, introduced in 2024, sleep up to six people and have been a massive hit with birthday groups, mini hen parties, and friends reuniting for a well-earned break.
If you're looking for a touch more independence, the hotel also offers five luxurious two-bedroom self-catering apartments onsite. You'll have the privacy of your own space with all the perks of a hotel stay.
Perfect for a spa day or winding down after playing on Ireland's only Seve Ballesteros-designed championship golf course. It's a standout experience for both experienced players and those looking to try something new, as it has water features, tree-lined fairways, and beautifully sculpted bunkers.
Morning coffees in your slippers, late-night chats around the table, and the freedom to come and go as you please? Sorted.
The Heritage is 4-Star luxury in the heart of serene Laois countryside, just 45 minutes from Dublin, two hours from Cork or Galway and all you need in one place for a luxury escape this summer.
From one of Ireland's largest spas, delicious dining, beautiful rooms with the ultimate in home-from-home comforts and an 18-hole Seve Ballesteros-designed golf course, you've all you need just a drive away for a blissful break this summer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
15 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Hotel Launches Mid Wales Corporate Wellbeing and Team-Building Retreats
A Mid Wales hotel and spa has teamed up with a number of local partners to offer corporate wellbeing and team-building retreats. The Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandrindod Wells is partnering with the Elan Valley, Black Mountain Adventure at Three Cocks, Kerry Vale Vineyard near Montgomery, Welsh Lavender Farm near Builth Wells, Gigrin Farm Kite Feeding Station, Rhayader, Lakeside Boathouse and The Wilderness Project, part of Learn Outdoors, both based in in Llandrindod Wells Caer Bryn Retreats, Nantmel, near Rhayader and others. 'We are putting together bespoke packages for corporate groups wanting to escape to the Welsh hills for a proper team reset – think kayaking, wild cocktail foraging, local wine tasting and loads more,' said Lauren Bingley, sales manager at the Metropole Hotel & Spa. 'Nestled in tranquil Mid Wales countryside, the hotel and its partners offers a perfect blend of relaxation, team-building and inspiration. With stunning views and modern amenities, the hotel is ideal for wellness retreats, executive planning and team bonding. 'Whether focusing on business goals or recharging, the peaceful environment will leave teams rejuvenated, motivated and ready for success. 'Whether businesses or organisations are looking for wellness experiences, strategic planning sessions, or inspirational group activities, the Metropole Hotel & Spa and partners provide a unique environment to focus, relax and re-energise.' Included in the wellbeing activities are yoga and meditation, mindfulness and stress management workshops, forest bathing, breathing sessions, wild swimming, stargazing and night walks in the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park and sound baths. The Metropole Hotel is a longstanding member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
Spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner PURE BLISS Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Moddershall Oaks is a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland 2 I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. 2 But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
