Booking date: May 2025
Location: The Salthouse Hotel, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
Website: https://thesalthouse.onejourney.travel/spa/treatments
How to get there: We drove from Belfast in a rental car. The hotel and spa are just above the town of Ballycastle.
Booking process: I booked the bed and breakfast stay for one night online but called to book the spa services since the website was acting up when I tried to book online.
Reason for Booking: I had just ran the Belfast marathon a day before and my neck and shoulders needed some work. It was a reward for all the hard work I had put into training the last 6 months.
Session booked: 60 minute Back, Neck, Shoulder, Scalp Massage
Communication prior to booking: This was not their strong suit. The woman who runs reception at the front desk was very hard for me to understand. I had spoken to her when I booked the treatment for my mom and myself over the phone. I then received and email about a month prior to our visit saying that they were doing some construction and there would be some noise. I was also informed that the pool was closed for repairs. Upon arrival at the Salthouse, we were told we could still go down prior to our treatments to soak. Based on all this I wasn’t sure what to expect at the spa.
Reception/ checking in: We arrived 45 minutes prior to our sessions but no one was at the desk. We waited. I wandered around and went outside to find the lady from reception out there talking with a guest. We were not asked if we wanted anything to drink, which I later found out there was free water and drinks for purchase. We were quickly shown around and ushered off to wait until our treatment time with the choice of using the outdoor hot tubs, sauna, or waiting in the relaxation area.
Wait time: Good. I am glad we arrived early to not be rushed.
Atmosphere: The views from the outside are spectacular. On a clear day you can see miles of green hills and coast line. From inside you could not see any of that, which was a pity. One main wall was covered with plastic where they were doing the repairs. I didn’t like the relaxation area. It felt dark and cramped. Maybe it will be better after the construction is done. The turn spout on the water cooler was broken making it very hard to turn on and off to get water. The ‘heated’ relaxation loungers were not warm. I enjoyed the soaking tubs outside while taking in the views but a hose with running water was left on and was overflowing. I found the spigot to turn it off since it was causing a muddy mess sound the tubs. Mom and I had one hot tub each to ourselves until 4 more people, two couples came outside. Then it felt too crowded. The sauna outside was nice but not my favorite. I informed reception that the tubs were overflowing and next when I went out the hose was back on and tubs were still overflowing causing more of a muddy mess.
Facilities: I think I would need to return when the repairs/ construction are done to get the full, proper experience to gauge what it is normally. The practice room was small and dark. The spa being in the basement overall had low ceilings and was dark.
Intake process: There was a two page intake form to fill out and a brief conversation about health history etc prior to the sessions started.
Therapist: My massage therapist was professional, kind, and listened well to me when I asked for work on my face and jaw. She did an excellent job on my scalp, face, and jaw. I really liked her and would rebook another session.
Session: I was given ample time to get on the table and she knocked before coming in. She washed her hands at the sink in the room prior to starting. The back, neck, shoulder portion were fairly standard and a routine light touch pass over. Usual Swedish, long, smooth, repetitive strokes. My feet and legs were still sore from the marathon the day prior to I asked those areas not to be worked on. I could have used more work on my neck, especially the front neck muscle since those are so closely connected and related to a tight jaw.
Checking out: The cost of the sessions were added to our room total.
Cost: 95 pounds, which was $128 per person.
What was done well: The massage itself was great and the best part. The views are also another positive that should be showcased.
Needs improvement: I think they need someone else running reception as well as assistance in spa maintenance and cleaning. It appeared she was trying to do it all and could not be every where needed at the same time. We couldn’t find her when we were trying to check in, check out or had questions. She was also very hard to understand. Both my mom and I had a 5 minute conversation with her when we checked in on what sessions we booked/ wanted. She was saying foot and all we heard was full. That led to a lot of confusion and wasted time trying to figure out who was getting what treatment.
Would I rebook or go back: I really love the location and would like to return after the repairs are completed.
Rating: 65/100
Megan's Massage 
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