‘You’re guaranteed not to see a soul’: Is this forest hideaway Europe’s best spa?
Spas, even the sheer thought of them, are supposed to be relaxing: a much-deserved break from the chaotically mundane lives we all seem to be swept up in.
But there’s nothing zen or mindful about rubbing shoulders with a complete stranger in 40C heat like a sweaty sardine. Or steaming your sins away while listening to the repetitive scratch of some inconsiderate guest shaving their beard.
Unfortunately, this can be the reality of most spa experiences these days, even if you’ve paid a small fortune for the privilege. With the danger of me sounding bitter: people are annoying.
The owners of Finn Lough in Northern Ireland, a ‘luxury hideaway’ born way back in 1983, must have come to the same conclusion at some point – as they have created a uniquely isolating spa experience for wellness explorers wishing to be truly alone.
Soulful and natural pampering in Ireland, where you’re the only spa visitor
Located in the lush waterways of Enniskillen, Finn Lough had its five minutes of fame back in 2021, thanks to its popular bubble domes that allow you to stargaze from the comfort of your own bed.
The ‘transparent accommodation’ fad has never really appealed to me. Perhaps it’s the fear of being unknowingly observed by a ‘gruagach’ – a mythical Irish Big Foot. But when I discovered this low-key hideaway also had a secret spa that couldn’t be tarnished by anybody else – I was immediately sold. I very kindly shared this trip with my partner, who in turn was kind enough to drive us there.
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With the aim of ‘reconnecting you with the elements’, the private audience with nature experience is a self-guided tour through a series of treatment cabins.
The two-hour adventure begins with a sensory deprivation tank, which I had previously dismissed as gimmicky and ironically stressful.
But there’s no claustrophobic-inducing, coffin-like pod that you have to clamber inside before attempting to bring your pulse down. Instead, we calmly slinked into a spacious salty pool and made ourselves comfortable with an array of floating pillows and armrests.
The lights switch off after a couple of minutes, giving you enough time to still yourself before slipping into a dream-like state. After around 30 minutes (or a million years?) passed, the lights gradually turned back on.
It felt like the soft Irish sun had made a rare appearance, warming me into awakeness. Already, I felt like all my tension had melted away.
Finn Lough’s secret spa looks out onto a stunning lake
Donned in our towel-drying robes, we headed to the second stage of the ritual, which has to be the trail’s pièce de résistance: a Finnish sauna hovering over a seemingly neverending lake.
When you enter, you spin the sand timer so you know when it’s time to (reluctantly) move on before sprawling out and luxuriating in the heat and picturesque views.
It’s an ethereal yet grounding feeling to witness the cold waters sporadically ripple and splash in front of you. I could observe the Irish wind whirring through the greenery yet not feel or hear it.
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The warmth and silence soaked into our bones, and I felt euphorically unwound.
While I wasn’t so daring to plunge myself fully into the icy water – my partner reassured me the endorphin rush that came with the hypothermia risk was ‘well worth it’.
Next on our adult spa ‘treasure hunt’ was the herbal sauna: a less intense cabin that uses aromatherapy of locally-sourced herbs such as rosemary and birch. It’s a pleasant addition to the trail, but I do think a mosaic-walled steam room would have been a better fit, as the first sauna was just impossible to top.
When the last grain fell from the sand timer, we headed to our penultimate stop: a bubbling jacuzzi looking down on the lake. With the sun slowly setting, we sipped on prosecco and repeatedly wished we could do it all again.
The subtle way Finn Lough moves you around the trail is what makes it so magical. You’re simultaneously gutted when one experience is over but get giddy as you scurry along to the next part of the tour. It’s pampering and fun – and the only annoying people there…are you.
When the bubbles stopped, it was officially over. If you want to extend your zen-state of mind, you can spend some time in the relaxing room with a cup of herbal tea and nuts – but these kinds of silent rooms border on the unnerving side for me. Instead, we headed off in search of the nearest Irish ‘fish & chip’ shop to ground us back to reality.
Is Finn Lough really the best spa in Europe?
I’ve been to a fair few spas around Europe, including the insatiably in-demand Bucharest Therme Spa in Romania. While this TikTok gem is certainly cool, the crowds of tourists made it more stressful than relaxing.
Even the prestigious Rudding Park in Harrogate, England, can sometimes feel a little cramped – especially if your visit clashes with a hen do or birthday party.
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Iceland’s Krauma had long reigned as my personal favourite – an outdoor geothermal slice of paradise just one hour from Reykjavik and deserted compared to the Blue Lagoon, but there’s still always a risk you’ll be disturbed by someone yapping across the hot tub or hogging the solo plunge pool.
With all of these amazing places – crowds of tourists can really zap the magic out of them. So, if you want to truly relax without seeing a single soul, it has to be Finn Lough.
The two-hour 'Private Audience with Nature' trail at Finn Lough is priced at £70pp (€84) for residents and £85pp (€102) for day visitors. Booking is essential due to limited availability.
