Growing up I spent a lot of time in County Fermanagh with my family. We visited in all times of the year, getting to see the best (and worst!) of the county. So it is a place that holds a lot of good memories for me, lots of fun times. We used to stay not far from Finn Lough, so I knew that I had to visit when I read about it (for a bit of nostalgia if nothing else). Finn Lough is nestled in the heart of the county on the edge of Lough Erne. It is a bit of a hidden gem (which I am reluctant to share!) that offers a perfect blend of luxury and nature.

We visited Finn Lough in June for my birthday. Not a big birthday, but its been quite a year, so it was a bit of a special treat. This was truly an unforgettable experience, filled with serene landscapes, unique accommodations, and a lots of activities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Just what the doctor ordered.

After a leisurely drive from Belfast (about 2hrs) we arrived at Finn Lough, parked up and went to reception. We were greeted with a warm welcome and the option of complimentary hot drinks or fizz! Sadly, we were pushed for time as we had booked in for the Elements Spa Trail. So after quickly checking in for that, we made our way over to the spa area.

On approach to the spa, I was immediately struck by the tranquil beauty of the surroundings. The spa is set midst lush forests and overlooks the serene waters of Lough Erne. Even though it was a bit of a damp afternoon, the environment felt fresh and relaxing, and so peaceful. The staff welcomed us warmly, and I felt the stress of daily life melting away even before the spa trail began.

The Elements Spa Trail is a unique, self-guided experience designed to reconnect you with nature. The trail consists of a series of treatment cabins, each offering a different therapeutic experience. It takes around 2 hours to complete. You are provided with a robe and towel as you would expect, but also water shoes and water bottle which was very much needed as those saunas were hot!

As we moved from one cabin to the next, we enjoyed a variety of treatments, from a flotation room to hot and cold therapies. Each cabin has been thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The use of natural materials and large windows allows you to feel immersed in the forest while enjoying the comforts of a modern spa. The combination of heat, cold, and natural scents created a deeply relaxing atmosphere that was both invigorating and calming. The dip in Lough Erne itself was particularly refreshing.

We got to enjoy a glass of fizz in the hot tub, which was the last treatment area before moving through to the relaxation room. Here we relaxed on the beds and helped ourselves to delicious teas and some dried fruits and nuts . The wood burning stove was fired up which made for a relaxing and cosy end to the spa trail. I could have quite happily spent the rest of the afternoon snoozing there.

Once woken from our relaxed state, we got ready and headed back to the reception area to check in properly for our stay (and to take advantage of a little glass of fizz!). We were then taken to our accommodation by golf cart, which was great given it was a bit rainy. We chose to stay in one of the famous Bubble Domes. This provided an unique way to connect with nature and enjoy the tranquility, but yet still having the modern comforts and luxury -so basically very posh camping!

I wasn’t sure how far apart the bubble domes would be, and therefore the levels of privacy. But was reassured when we reached a gate with a fence attached, so I knew no passers by would be able to nosey in, doesn’t stop wayward walkers though! The Dome we had was a premium one, so there was a dome for sleeping and sitting in, and another dome with a bath, dressing area and the bathroom.

Thankfully, the dome did have heating which was needed on this particular chilly June day. But there was also air con for when the sun was out as there is no hiding from it! We had intended to take out a resort bike after our spa, but due to the torrential rain, we decided not to. But they are free to hire, and can be found down at The Bay.

After enjoying some fizz and the peacefulness, we got ourselves ready and headed to the House Bar for a pre-dinner drink. The House Bar is a cosy inviting space, with a cinema and a great selection of whiskies and cocktails. The bar man (whose name I can’t remember) made some really good cocktails, in fact the best French Martini I have had in a long time. He was also really knowledgeable on whiskey, so his assistance was appreciated when faced with a room of Irish Whiskey!

We then headed to The Barn, Finn Lough’s Restaurant, where the menu is crafted with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, served small plate style. The restaurant is laid out like a bistro and very relaxed, which is the vibe of the whole resort.

It was quite a dilemma on what to choose to eat, so we sorted that out by enjoying a delicious cocktail. A Smoked Pear Whisky Sour for me and a Stout Negroni for him, which seemed a popular choice for those sitting around us!

As with most small plate restaurants the dishes come out as they are ready, though they did still sort of follow a starter/main order. I wouldn’t say we actually over ordered, but we certainly didn’t leave hungry! We started with some Tempura Courgette, Mushrooms on Sourdough Toast with Mushroom Ketchup, Shiitakes, Egg Puree , Labneh and topped with a Truffle Oil. Our last ‘starter’ was a Burrata with Hickory Smoked and Dehydrated Tomatoes with a Moroccan Spice Blend, Brick Pastry and Basil Greens.

Next up was the ‘mains’, we went for the Pork Belly with a Teriyaki Sauce, Corn Miso Togarashi, Popcorn Dust, Grilled Popcorn and Crackling. Followed by the 30-day aged Sirloin with Truffle Peppercorn Sauce and Sweet Potato and our final dish, which I have to admit I can’t remember exactly what it was other than it was a special and Monkfish… but it was very tasty. We also had some great Chunky Chips on the side.

We loved all these dishes, so fresh and tasty and knowing that a lot of the vegetables are grown on site in their polytunnels or are sourced locally, made it even tastier.

After a small break we just had to go for dessert, I went for the Ice Cream Sandwich which had Baileys Ice Cream, Sable Biscuits and Whisky Sauce, and he went for the Cheese Board which came with a selection of Cheese, Compote, Fruit and Crackers.

After all that delicious food we wandered back over to the House Bar to enjoy one for the road before trying to remember our way back to our Dome. I wasn’t sure how I would feel sleeping effectively under the stars. I did it once years ago in the outback in Australia in less salubrious surroundings being actually under the stars and I didn’t sleep a wink. I guess knowing you are in a Dome means no creepy crawlies can get you.!

Having said that, I had a great nights sleep, it was so quiet and peaceful, well until the birds started singing away. However, waking up in the forest with the sun beaming in is definitely good for the soul.

Breakfast is delivered to you each morning, you can choose what you would like from the menu the day before, and voila it appears. It comes in a cute little box and includes pastries, yogurt and fruit, fruit juice and filled rolls of your choosing. Tea and Coffee are already provided in the room. So a lazy morning in the sun was the order of the day.

After a leisurely morning, we sadly had to check out. But after we did we headed along to The Bay, which is an outdoor cafe/bar and between 11am and 12pm they serve free tea, coffee, mimosas and pastries. Where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful views, or in the summer they have live music. You can also have lunch here weather permitting. It was so lovely it really was hard to tear ourselves away.

Finn Lough has more to offer than we managed. I mentioned before the free bike hire so you can explore the resort area, there’s also kayaks and stand up paddle boards. We didn’t get a chance to try out the Shoreline Spa (an excuse to go back) or the Sunday morning Yoga class in the massive dome right on the waters edge.

Our visit to Finn Lough was a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and perfect for that special celebration. The combination of luxurious accommodation, immersive nature experiences, and top-notch hospitality made it a trip to remember. If you’re planning a visit, I highly recommend taking the time to fully immerse yourself in all that Finn Lough has to offer. There’s no better place to unwind and recharge. I know I am already planning my next visit!

Have you ever visited a place that left you feeling completely rejuvenated? Share your experiences in the comments below!