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Culloden Estate & Spa is celebrating its 150th year with a substantial refurbishment and new summer packages after investing more than €700,000 in rooms, private dining and spa facilities. The former Bishop’s Palace sits on 12 acres overlooking Belfast Lough and the Antrim coastline, and the work aims to refresh guest areas while preserving the property’s historic character.
Heritage-sensitive improvements
General manager Cormac Fadden says the anniversary provided a natural moment to update the hotel. He describes the programme as focused on protecting the building’s original character while improving amenities for modern visitors.
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The project covered guestrooms, the hotel’s private dining space and spa, with a total outlay exceeding €700,000.
Design and craftsmanship
The redesign of the bedrooms was led by Belfast-based Interiors and Floor Design, which collaborated with its in-house upholstery team and a number of local suppliers. Work ranged from soft furnishings to bespoke furniture that echoes the estate’s architectural features.
- Ulster Carpets
- Decorwright
- Lisnaree Bespoke Furnishings
- Abbey Upholstery
- Mid Ulster Granite
Rooms now feature curated colour schemes — blues, golds and corals — and design elements that reference the building’s graceful arches, including panelled wardrobe doors and bold velvet headboards.
Upgraded bathrooms
Bathrooms have been refreshed with marble-effect surfaces, brushed-brass fixtures and walk-in rainfall showers to give a more spa-like feel to the guest experience. The finishes aim to combine contemporary comfort with the hotel’s period style.
Ailsa Suite — private dining reimagined
The hotel’s private dining room, the Ailsa Suite, has been redecorated to reflect the estate’s 1876 origins. The space benefits from estate and lough views and now blends heritage detailing with modern furnishings.
Design features include rich navy tones, William Morris wallpaper and a bespoke marble boardroom table, paired with chairs in leather and velvet. The suite is intended for intimate dining, private events and meetings while keeping a clear sense of place.
The Spa at Culloden and fitness
The spa reception and retail area received new marble flooring, brighter finishes and updated seating to create a more polished arrival. Soft furnishings were also replaced to improve guest comfort.
The gym was upgraded with new treadmills and weight-resistance equipment, part of a broader investment in the spa’s interiors and fitness offering.
Fadden says the changes introduce a higher level of elegance without losing the warmth and heritage that distinguish Culloden, aiming to maintain the hotel’s historic identity while meeting contemporary guest expectations.
