Slieve Donard Hotel  

On the boardwalk in Newcastle, County Down, this beach hotel sits at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne with a golden strand of beach on one side and the famous Royal County Down golf course on the other. About 30 miles south of Belfast and 90 miles north of Dublin, it’s a coastal escape with big views.

A lovingly restored Victorian property set in six acres of private grounds, the hotel blends classic character with modern touches. Around 180 stylish rooms and six luxury suites offer sea, mountain or golf views, Smart TVs and in-room coffee/espresso makers. The on-site resort spa is a standout, and the grounds and vistas give every room a sense of place.

Pamper yourself at a full-service spa with massages and treatments, or unwind in the indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room. There’s a health club, yoga area and a kids’ playroom, plus concierge, 24-hour front desk, dry cleaning and free on-site self-parking. Wake up to sea-breeze mornings and stay connected with complimentary Wi‑Fi. The hotel is pet-friendly for an extra charge and family-friendly throughout.

Big on events: about 14,246 sq ft of conference and banqueting space with 11 meeting rooms makes this a solid choice for residential conferences, weddings and corporate events. Complimentary Wi‑Fi and full concierge services support meetings and group stays.

Three on-site restaurants serve local flavors, including J.J. Farrall’s, plus a bar/lounge and 24-hour room service for late-night cravings. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served on weekdays and weekends to get your day started.