The Culloden Hotel stands amid 12 acres of beautiful secluded gardens on the wooded slopes of Holywood's hills, overlooking Belfast Lough and the Antrim coastline. Built as the official palace for the Bishops of Down, the property has been exquisitely transformed into a top class superior hotel. The palatial surroundings, fine antiques and the highest levels of personal service combine to give the Culloden Hotel a unique air of elegance.

Guestrooms are decorated and furnished to the highest standards providing the perfect place to relax. Many of the 79 exquisite bedrooms and suites have wonderful views over the hotel gardens and down towards Belfast Lough.

The Spa at the Culloden Hotel provides a sanctuary of sheer indulgence for both body and mind. The Spa offers a full range of facilities, including a deck level pool, jacuzzi, marble steam room and needle shower, a state-of-the-art fitness suite with cardio-theatre, fitness consultation clinic, dance studio, sun bed suite, and deluxe changing suites furnished with E'spa toiletries.

Guests can relax over coffee in the comfortable hotel lounges, enjoy fine dining in the AA rosette winning Mitre Restaurant or for a more informal meal the Cultra Inn is the ideal venue.

The Culloden Hotel is situated minutes from Belfast's bustling city centre, minutes too from endless beaches, lush woodlands, championship golf at Royal Belfast Golf Club, horse riding and sailing.

Local attractions include the Botanic Gardens, the Titanic Exhibition and The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum recreating Northern Irish life as it was a century ago, historic houses, schools, churches and mills have been brought here and faithfully restored. The Transport Museum houses Ireland's finest collection of vintage vehicles, an amazing and eclectic collection of trams, cars, bicycles, buses and aircraft - all in mint condition!

The nearby town of Holywood is a treasure trove of unique boutiques, craft and antique shops. A few miles further takes you to Mount Stewart, a National Trust property famous for it’s glorious gardens which are ranked among the top five gardens in Ireland.

Ardtara House is a charming 19th century house located in the little village of Upperlands in South Derry. Built as a family home by Harry Jackson Clark during the reign of Queen Victoria, and set in rolling, green countryside Ardtara has been lovingly transformed into an elegant country retreat. Old style service complemented by a vast array of antiques Ardtara House will have you feeling that you are stepping back in time.

The eight luxurious bedrooms all individually styled and exquisitely furnished throughout, offer panoramic views across the extensive grounds. All guestrooms retain their grand original fireplaces and have their own unique old style character.

There are even fireplaces in some of the bathrooms!

The cuisine at Ardtara matches the quality of the surroundings with dinner served in the impressive dining room. Dominated by an original hunting scene frieze, the room is made light and airy by a huge glass skylight. The menu features all of the best of fresh local produce and perfectly reflects “The Taste of Ulster”.

Located within 45 minutes of four top class golf courses Ardtara House is a veritable golfer''s paradise. Anglers should feel just as happy as Ardtara is located beside the River Bann. There is nowhere better in Northern Ireland to enjoy the thrill and challenge of game and coarse fishing and in season the river is teeming with salmon, trout and pike.

There is plenty to do and see in the area when not playing golf or fishing. Whether shopping in nearby Derry or Ballymena or taking in the many attractions, including the spectacular coastline, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery or the world-famous Giant''s Causeway, Ardtara Country House really is an excellent base from which to explore and discover this beautiful part of Ireland.

There is little doubt that Galgorm Manor is one of the finest country house hotels in Ireland and is the perfect location to get away from it all. Originally built early in the 19th century it is set in 85 acres of glorious countryside and boasts spectacular views of the River Maine. Galgorm Manor was totally refurbished in 1993 and now, with modern facilities and a pace of life from a bygone era, it is a place where the rigours of life can be forgotten.

The hotel has 23 spacious en-suite bedrooms, including 3 suites, most of which offer breathtaking views of the River Maine. Also available on the estate are 6 individually named and decorated country cottages, fully fitted to the highest standards, which are ideal for family holidays or longer stays.

There is a choice of dining options at Galgorm Manor. The beautifully appointed dining room seats 73 and offers a choice of table d''hote or a la carte menus, with local produce used whenever possible. The Boardroom, with superb wood panelling and magnificent table, is ideal for private dining. For lighter dining, there is a full menu available in the Gillies Bar.

Located to the rear of the hotel, the former stables have been admirably adapted to create a large and atmospheric country pub now known as The Gillies Bar. Inside, large open log fires and stonewalls create a wonderfully warm atmosphere offering an Irish welcome to the weary traveller.

As a golfing base from which to play the likes of Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock, it is unrivalled, with no less than six top golf courses within an hours drive. The River Maine runs less than 100 yards from the main entrance and the hotel has fishing rights for this stretch of river, reputed to be the finest in Northern Ireland for brown trout, making this is a fisherman''s haven. Clay pigeon shooting, with professional tuition if required, is also available on the grounds and the hotel provides all equipment. Archery, walking, jogging, mountain biking are all also readily available.

Glassdrumman Lodge offers all one would expect of a five-star hotel in an unpretentious home from home atmosphere. Lying on the majestic coastline of County Down, Glassdrumman Lodge is a small rural haven situated in one of the most picturesque regions of Ireland. The austere boundary of stonewalls around the lodge hides the warmth of pine log fires, beautiful furnishings, rich wool carpets and a warm Irish welcome from the Hall family who own and run the lodge.

Dining at Glassdrumman is always an experience to relish and guests have the option of sitting around a twenty-foot pine table or at their own private table. The cuisine is fashioned from local produce, much of which is grown on the lodge farm and gardens, while fresh oysters and fish are sourced daily from local ports.

Beamed ceilings, squashy chairs, thick carpets, soft lighting and a crackling log fire are just some of the elements which make the reception rooms relaxing and therapeutic for mind and body.

The ten bedrooms, including two suites, are tastefully furnished and offer panoramic views of the coastline to the front and heather-clad Mountains of Mourne to the rear.

24-hour rooms service, turn down and valet service, overnight laundry and shoes shining services are available.

A one-acre fly-fishing lake, well stocked with rainbow trout, is located in the grounds, while other attractions in the area include Silent Valley and Tollymore Forest Park while Royal County Down Golf Club is just a short drive along the coast.

At the foot of the Mountains of Mourne in Co Down, surrounded by six acres of beautiful grounds, the Slieve Donard is a luxury country house hotel. Known for its Victorian grandeur and its superb hospitality it offers deluxe accommodation and excellent facilities for holiday and weekend breaks.

Each room is exquisitely decorated and tastefully furnished and many of the rooms have magnificent views of the Mountains of Mourne, Royal County Down golf course and the beautiful sweeping strand of Newcastle Bay. Health and leisure facilities are provided by the exclusive Elysium Health Club and include a Spa and Jacuzzi.

Guests can dine at the atmospheric Oak Restaurant, which offers a selection of menus, or the Percy French Grill, located on the hotel''s grounds.

The extensive gardens lead to a golden strand and to the world famous Royal County Down Golf Club. Golfers will note that eight of the finest golf courses in Northern Ireland can be found within a twenty-mile radius. There are many other sporting opportunities in the area including walking, climbing, fishing, horse riding and sailing.

The town of Newcastle a small seaside resort with a promenade overlooking the sweeping bay is just a five- minute walk from the hotel.

There is a wide range of must see sights in the area, and highlights include the Silent Valley, a magnificent reservoir cradled in the Mourne Mountains, or Castlewellan Forest Park, with miles of wooded walks. A drive along the Mourne Coast takes in many sights including Dundrum, the 13th century Green Castle and the pretty Victorian resort of Rostrevor.

Lying between the Giant''s Causeway and Royal Portrush Golf Club the quaint Bushmills Inn is located in the village that is home to the world''s oldest distillery. The welcoming glow of four turf fires, oil lamps and stripped pine are just some of the features that give this historic inn its intriguing character.

Reopened in 1987, the Inn has come to epitomize the true spirit of Ulster hospitality and has been outstandingly successful in recreating its origins as an old Coaching Inn. The more spacious, cottage-style rooms in the Mill House have their own sitting area and small dressing room and complement the quaint, individually decorated bedrooms of the Coaching Inn.

The bar, which is still lit by gaslight, is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of 25 year-old Bushmills malt whiskey from the hotel''s private cask, prior to sampling the culinary delights of the award winning Taste of Ulster Restaurant.

There is also a secret library to be explored.

Besides the nearby golf courses of Royal Portrush, Castlerock and Portstewart, there are many attractions in the area. The Giant''s Causeway, recognised in some quarters as the eighth wonder of the world, is a must, while the Old Bushmills Distillery is also worth a visit. Precariously perched on a sheer cliff, overlooking the rocks where the Spanish Armada met its fate, Dunluce Castle, which was built by the Normans in the 12th century and the spectacular Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge are also situated nearby and should certainly be visited.