Nine great hot tub stays in Ireland

A holiday in Ireland can be filled with excursions to breathtaking coastal gems and fascinating cities. However, at the end of a busy day sightseeing, there is nothing more relaxing than slipping into swirls of the warm, restorative water of a hot tub while soaking up the scenery.

It’s just a short forest walk from Burrenmore Nest to Mussenden Temple, which teeters on a cliffside over a beach on the magnificent Antrim coastline. And the perfect reward afterwards? A dip in one of the hot tubs that steam and smoulder in the woods.

Each of Burrenmore’s luxurious, fully furnished tree-top perches has decadently comfortable bedding in a king-size bed, and each log cabin comes with a hot tub below. The resort has a quietness policy in communal areas after 11pm, so you can enjoy your night-scented experience with only the sounds of the forest to disturb you as you soak.

It’s easy to get lost in the vast wilderness of Finn Lough Forest Hideaway – but the self-guided trail through the woods to cabins will help you discover your best self. The highlight is an outdoor sunken hot tub with tranquil lake views to keep you company.

Listen to the sounds of the forest and the waves that gently caress the shoreline as time takes on a new dimension. The property has a stunning collection of accommodation – but for the ultimate connection to the elements, stay in a forest bubble dome and fall asleep in comfort under the stars.

Rock gently to the rhythm of the longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon, on Wineport Lodge’s floating pontoon in a hot tub. Wineport is located on the banks of Lough Ree facing Killinure Island in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands – so the ever-changing river views at sunrise and sunset are sublime. The hotel is intimate, clad in timber and glass and boasts outdoor wood-burning stoves and wool blankets perfectly positioned to allow you to enjoy the surrounding environment in comfort.

There’s little to indicate that the Italianate, handsome Merchant Hotel was once a humble bank. With its idiosyncratic interiors that range from outrageously flamboyant to chic Art Deco, it’s Belfast’s most luxurious property; so predictably, it's got a few little gems up its sleeve.

Head up to the rooftop, and you'll find the hotel's hot tub enjoys commanding views across the skyline of the city centre – from the River Lagan and the Albert Clock to the cranes of the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the Titanic was constructed. Visit late afternoon when lights start to twinkle in the city below.

For those who want to get away from life’s daily routine, Willow Tree Glamping has fully equipped and individually designed Mongolian yurts, nestled into Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains and a stone’s throw from the Irish Sea. The added surprise is the outdoor private hot tubs.

Heated by electricity or wood fire, each tub is strategically positioned to capture the best views of the Mournes – so you can lie back and ponder the stars above.

Sheltered by just a low glass partition from Kenmare Bay’s rocky coastline, the hot tubs at Parknasilla boast one of Europe’s finest settings whether in the depths of winter or the height of summer. The resort is located in a cove on the southern tip of the Ring of Kerry and serves up spectacular ocean views against the backdrop of the Kerry mountains.

Guests can slip into the warm swirls of water on a decked terrace and soak in the full elemental Atlantic experience. The hotel, built as a luxurious railway retreat in the 19th century, offers other restorative treatments at the hotel spa so you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Cabü by the Lakes is an immersive experience – designed for guests to be at one with County Cavan’s lakeland location in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and part of that connection to the elements is the hot tub.

Each resident has a private outdoor Japanese bath, with fresh water steaming like a cauldron in the Killykeen Forest setting and close enough to Lough Oughter to hear the water lapping on the shoreline. A gazebo offers shelter to another range of large hot tubs and the cabin accommodation is a full hipster-meets-luxury retreat.

The hot tubs of the boutique and very cool Ice House Hotel are perched on raised decking with panoramic views over the River Moy as it flows towards the Atlantic Ocean.

The property was originally built to store ice for the freshly caught salmon that swam beneath its sturdy frame in the early 19th century, but now it's the perfect place to enjoy County Mayo’s clear air and gorgeous scenery, but in plush surrounds. Even on a breezy day, the scene is serene as a glass partition separates guests from the elements.

Pull into second gear and coast through the valley beneath Connemara’s Mweelrea Mountain Range, close to Killary Harbour on the Wild Atlantic Way. Here you'll find Delphi Resort, with a spa, adventure centre and two restaurants. After a couple of hours exploring the 200-acre estate, filled with streams, forests and wildlife, take time to rejuvenate your jaded soul in the state-of-the-art tubs.

You’ll find them nestled behind the floor-to-ceiling window that frames the entire Delphi Valley setting. On-site body treatments, massages and facials with organic, environmentally friendly products help to further connect with the location.