Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh has been crowned 4-Star Hotel and Spa of the Year at the Northern Ireland Prestige Awards, 2021.
The Prestige Awards recognise and reward excellence in customer experience, facilities and outstanding services offered by independent businesses within the hospitality sector.
The Estate, which opened in April 2019, has been awarded the title after being rigorously assessed by a judging panel. The judges cited the consistent positive guest reviews the Estate receives online and its welcoming and professional staff among the reasons for choosing Killeavy Castle Estate for this award.
Prestige Awards judge, Andrew Walsh, said, “Killeavy Castle Estate stood out from all other four-star accommodations in Northern Ireland due to an irresistible combination of high-end spa facilities, sensational location, and personable hospitality that goes the extra mile. The ‘Farm to Fork’ experience, which sees produce grown on the Estate grounds used in the restaurant and featured on the tasting menu, set Killeavy apart from the competition.”
Killeavy Castle Estate is a 45-bedroom hotel and spa nestled in 350 acres of sprawling woodland in County Armagh. Killeavy Castle lay derelict for over a decade before being restored to its former glory, with a £12million investment creating a luxurious and relaxing retreat on the edge of Slieve Gullion.
The spa at Killeavy Castle Estate features a sensational mountain view hydro pool, aroma mist and drench showers, outdoor hot tub and Tylarium – a sauna and steam room combined. The spa specialises in using the award-winning Elemis brand, which has a philosophy of ‘field to face’, in the development of its signature treatments.
Killeavy Castle Estate has an ethos of sustainability at its core. From inception, the hotel has been built, and future developments planned, with eco-credentials central to its goal of being a leader in responsible tourism.
Jason Foody, General Manager of Killeavy Castle Estate, said, “We are delighted to receive the 4-Star Hotel and Spa of the Year award. It demonstrates how dedicated the entire team at Killeavy Castle Estate is to providing our guests with an outstanding experience when they visit the Estate, as well as defining responsible tourism in Northern Ireland. As we await the opportunity to open our doors once again, receiving this award gives us all an added boost as we look forward to welcoming guests back to the Estate soon.”
Since its opening, the luxury hotel has been awarded several prestigious awards. These include National Winner, Newcomer of the Year 2020, at the Georgina Campbell Irish Food and Hospitality Awards, and Castle Hotel of the Year 2020 at the Irish Hotel Awards. Boutique Hotel of the Year 2020 at the Golfers Guide to Ireland Awards and Romantic Getaway of the Year and Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2020 at the Northern Ireland Hotel Awards.