I’m pregnant with my first child, and I’ve spent the past few months reviewing babymoon destinations across Ireland and while I’ve had some wonderful stays along the way, I may have just found my favourite one yet.
Set on the shores of Lough Léin, The Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney has long been synonymous with five-star luxury. Even with that reputation in mind, I was blown away from the minute we stepped inside. We were greeted by the architectural grandeur of the reception and lobby, with high ceilings and chic, modern décor – it was a first impression that set our expectations high for the weekend.
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The Europe Hotel & Resort, the lobby. Pic: Supplied
For me, I feel that the ultimate babymoon should strike a balance between deep relaxation with a little bit of luxury, and The Europe Hotel offered both in spades.
As we walked into our Premier Lakeview Room, the curtains magically opened on cue, revealing a cinematic view of the MacGillycuddy Reeks from our balcony. The room boasted a super-king bed, with crisp white linen, plump pillows, and a charming keepsake waiting for us on the bed – the most gorgeous teddy, Bertie the Bear.
Premier Lakeview room at The Europe Hotel Resort. Pic: Supplied
The en-suite was stocked with ESPA bath products, along with the plush ‘The Europe’ bathrobes hanging in the wardrobe, and a Nespresso coffee machine. As well as complimentary bottled water in the rooms, there’s also a water dispenser on each floor near the lifts so you can fill your water bottle with cold, filtered water any time – a major bonus for someone trying to stay hydrated in the third trimester!
We popped the chilled bottle of Freixenet 0.0% Cava which awaited us in the room, and toasted to the start of what we could already feel was going to be an incredible babymoon.
The Europe Hotel & Resort, gardens and boathouse. Pic: Supplied
On the first evening, we dined in Riva, the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, and with some great Italian options on the menu, we feasted on perfectly-cooked al dente pasta and fresh seafood.
Returning to our room after dinner, we were pleasantly surprised to find housekeeping had delivered some special treats and transformed it with a turndown service; slippers laid out, fresh towels folded, a bucket of ice provided, and a Lindt chocolate placed on each bedside table. All the touches remind you that you are in five-star luxury.
Premier Lakeview room at The Europe Hotel Resort. Pic: Supplied
Breakfast the following morning is served in the Panorama Restaurant, and can be a five-course meal if you want it to be! There’s a continental spread to start you off with a huge selection of fresh fruits, berries, yogurts, cereals, kombucha, and little individual pots of overnight oats. There’s also a slab of raw honeycomb, pastries, cheeses, meats, smoked salmon, and pickled vegetables, and if that’s not enough, there’s a self-serve full Irish with a chef on hand to cook eggs to order as you like them. On top of that, there’s a selection of à la carte dishes ranging from eggs Benedict to buttermilk pancakes and even fillet steak, while the personable staff are on hand to take your order and top up your glass with fresh orange juice.
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The next morning, we made it down for an early swim in the pool, which is located on the Active Level of the hotel, and after a few lengths, we also explored the indoor and outdoor heated vitality pool, which allows you to take in the morning air and views of the mountains and lake from the warmth of the pool.
While the hotel offers complimentary activities, including horse riding and tennis, my plans for the afternoon were made up solely of a pregnancy massage and relaxing in the spa.
The Europe Hotel & Resort, swimming pool on the Active Level. Pic: Supplied
The ESPA spa at The Europe Hotel & Resort is reserved exclusively for guests with treatments booked, which lends it a sense of privacy and calm. Guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before their treatment and can stay an hour afterwards, in order to fully enjoy the facilities, which turns a 50-minute massage into three hours of deep spa relaxation.
The spa area is gender-segregated, with separate areas for men and women, which personally, I loved, and though saunas and steam rooms are off-limits during pregnancy, there’s no shortage of facilities to use like the heated loungers, cocoon-like wooden pods in the relaxation room, and the heated indoor-to-outdoor vitality pool.
One of my favourite parts of the ESPA experience was the array of snacks and herbal teas in the relaxation room, including dried fruit, nuts, and the most delicious nut butter and chocolate energy balls.
ESPA at The Europe Hotel & Resort, private spa suite treatment beds. Pic: Supplied
My maternity massage was a 50-minute treatment and was a tonic for my aching 34-week pregnant body, providing me with a restorative pampering experience.
My masseuse welcomed me into the treatment room with a warm, scented hand towel we talked through the treatment. As you can’t lie on your stomach during pregnancy, I lay on my side, supported with a pregnancy pillow, while the therapist applied gentle pressure on either side of my back and shoulders. I sank into the massage bed, with a warm facecloth over my eyes and had to fight sleep in order to enjoy every second of the treatment.
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One particularly nice part of the treatment was that the masseuse even gently oiled and massaged the baby bump, so the baby got the benefit too. Not even born and already experienced its first five-star massage!
The Library at The Europe Hotel & Resort. Pic: Supplied
Our final dinner in the Brasserie that evening was suitably decadent. We began with lamb croquettes and scallops before moving on to mains. I ordered a perfectly cooked 10oz Angus sirloin with béarnaise sauce, while my husband enjoyed a seafood platter piled high with grilled fish, smoked salmon, oysters, prawns, langoustine, calamari, and crab claws.
We got two puddings for dessert: sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and honeycomb ice cream, alongside brioche bread and butter pudding with chocolate and custard – each as good as they sound. We finished the night off with a competitive game of chess in the charming library.
On the three-hour train back to Dublin on Sunday afternoon, we had added a little plus one to our group as Bertie the Bear came with us. Our baby’s first teddy and a souvenir to remind us of our five-star babymoon before life changes forever.
Bertie The Bear at The Europe Hotel. Pic: Supplied
The Babymoon Package at The Europe Hotel includes:
2 Nights Blissful, Uninterrupted Sleep in a Lakeview Room with a spacious Balcony.
Full Irish Breakfast in the Panorama Restaurant each morning.
Bertie Bear Teddy to take home (1 per room)
A La Carte Dinner for Two on one evening of your choice (choice of all 3 restaurants).
Time for You in the 20m Indoor Pool & Outdoor Vitality Pool.
Complimentary Horse Riding & Two Indoor Tennis Courts.
Access to The Active Level which includes an Indoor Swimming Pool, Indoor & Outdoor Vitality Pool, Thermal Suite and many Relaxation Areas.
Access to our Techno-Gym & daily Fitness Classes are also complimentary
Option to add additional night(s)
With prices starting from (based on two people sharing)
Lakeview Room €1,055
Deluxe Lakeview Room €1,105
Premier Lakeview Room €1,325
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