Fota Island spa hits the right spot
LESS than 15 miles from the chaos of Cork city, nature unfurls its splendour in the form of the exotic and magical Fota Island, a name derived from the Irish ‘Fód te’ meaning warm soil, a perfect place for the growing and cultivation of rare trees and exotic plants.
That’s what the Smith-Barry family — former owners of Fota — did for more than 100 years, bringing rare specimens from Africa, the Orient and South America and cultivating them there. They never did things by halves, also creating marvellous woodlands that have since matured and now frame the five-star Fota Island Resort hotel where latter-day luxury combines with olde worlde comfort.
The resort lies deep within one of the most dramatic natural settings in Ireland, at the heart of the 780-acre estate, integrated with mature woodlands and framed by three challenging championship golf courses.
In November 2004, Fota Island Golf Club was bought by the Fleming Group which completed the hotel and spa two years later. Last year it was taken over by the Chinese Kang Family Worldwide Group.
The Fota Island Resort management don’t do things by haves, either, as anyone who has had the pleasure of being pummelled and pampered at the Fota Island Spa will attest. It’s all about well-being here as you surrender yourself to a benign regime that restores energy and vitality and leaves you feeling relaxed and re-invigorated at the same time.
You will get a really good massage which is TLC for tired muscles. The touch and pressure stimulates blood flow and may help boost your metabolism. You can actually feel your body temperature rise during a massage as the constant contact loosens and tones those muscles.
Those getting the Fota spa treatment for the first time experience ‘before’ and ‘after’ moments. One businesswoman I spoke to could scarcely believe the difference. “I knew I needed a break but it wasn’t until I spent a weekend here that I realised just how much I needed it,” she said.
“When I arrived, my head was still full of work, worrying about orders, customers, the banks — you name it, I was up to 90 about everything. After a couple of hours, though, that had all gone and it was as if I hadn’t a care in the world. It was lovely to forget all the things that were worrying me and just take time out for myself.
“The best thing of all, is that I now feel I can face anything — even the bank manager!”
I can see what she means. From the moment you enter what feels like a secret, serene world, you find yourself gliding along effortlessly from one surreal experience to another. You can even walk on water here but the real miracle lies in having body and spirit restored to working order.
Ireland’s only walking river uses water currents and reflexology to revitalise and replenish aching muscles. It is particularly good at healing sports and fatigue-related injuries.
The unique walking river utilises different temperatures to reduce muscle fatigue. Begin your journey in warm water with invigorating foot jets, small pebbles and counter current massage streams. The second half of your journey is spent in cooler water with larger pebbles and micro bubbles to finally relax tired limbs.
With three challenging championship golf courses set amongst beautiful parkland scenery, the resort is also home to Fota Island golf club and hosts a number of international tournaments which includes the Irish Club Professional Championship and the Irish Open.
To celebrate the upcoming hosting of the Irish Open, offers currently available include bed and breakfast and one golf lesson per person in the Golf Academy, followed by a Triple Treat spa treatment.
Designed by renowned spa designer Dr Christian Jost, Fota Island Spa has 18 spa treatment rooms offering more than 60 treatments.
The spa has specially designed treatments and massages for golfers, as well as holistic relaxation and an apres-pampering juice bar.
Now for the technical stuff: there is the Acacia thermal suite with tepidarium and hammam, three luxurious beauty rooms, affusion showers, flotation baths and a thalaxion room. Don’t bother asking which is which, just enjoy the lot.
It’s all good.
After a taste of the mild life at Fota Island Resort, a gentle stroll will take you to Fota Wildlife Park which is jointly run by the Zoological Society of Ireland and University College Cork. It has more than 70 species of exotic wildlife in open natural surroundings.
* For more of what’s on at Fota Resort and special spa offers go online to www.fotaisland.ie
Unique to Fota Island Spa, the Serenity Massage allows you to unwind in total relaxation. Begin your treatment with a refreshing foot soak followed by a full body massage including a hot stones back massage. A foot mask and a face and scalp massage will then complete your relaxing, pampering experience.
Indian head massage is based on ancient healing techniques. It is one of the most widely practiced complimentary therapies in the West and involves massaging the head, face, neck, shoulders and upper back.
Using bamboo whisks, smooth warm bamboo sticks massage techniques will promote well-being, relieve stress, tension and stimulate blood circulation. It promotes a perfect balance of the gentle heat with the healing properties of bamboo. Recommended for fatigue, lack of energy and chronic stress, it is customised to suit each client’s needs. It is also beneficial for back pain resulting from muscle tension.
An acupressure massage concentrating on the soles of the feet, combined with massage of the toes, ankles and calves. All this with the use of an oriental blend is ideal to remove the feeling of heavy tired legs and aid the elimination of toxins. Thai Foot Massage detoxifies the immune system and improves quality of sleep. Regular treatments help to relieve stress and reduce the risk of lifestyle aliments, which damage the cardiovascular system. Complete your journey with a cup of green tea to aid the removal of toxins.
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