Lusty Beg Island Resort & Spa: Northern Ireland’s Hidden Island Paradise

Dear friends, let me take you on a journey to the Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa, tucked away on a beautiful 75-acre private island in Northern Ireland. This is truly a hidden gem oasis, tranquil and peaceful. You can get over to the island by taking a short, on-demand ferry ride from the mainland. This ferry will take you and your car across.

The Lusty Beg Island Resort derives its unique name from the anglicisation of the Irish phrase Lóiste Beag, meaning "little lodge", a fitting title for a stunning property that has transitioned through the centuries from a tranquil monastic retreat into a premier resort destination. Originally cultivated by early Christian monks, the island passed through various private hands, including poet William Allingham's family in the 19th century and the Canadian aristocrat Lady Hunt in the early 20th century, before its focus shifted entirely towards hospitality. They have preserved some remarkable artwork from those ancient monks displayed in the restaurant's dinning room. Tourism infrastructure officially began in the 1950s when British Army officer Captain Kosh built the first small rental chalets. Development expanded throughout the years until it fully transformed into the modern retreat, luxury seaweed spa, and outdoor adventure hub operating today. Don't take just my word for it; it has won a multitude of awards.

Below are some of their latest accolades.

Awards:

The Island Spa – Resident Spa of the Year, 2023, Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards

The Island Spa – Fresha Highly Recommended, 2025

Lusty Beg – One Fab Day, 100 Best Wedding Venues, 2024

The resort features a range of self-contained waterside chalets and cottages. Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa also offers a mix of traditional hotel rooms and standalone self-catering units scattered across its woodland landscape. I was lucky enough to stay in a huge two-storey, stunning waterfront self-catering cabin overlooking the marina, equipped with a full kitchen, a large lounge room, three large bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. Our cabin had a huge wrap-around balcony that I absolutely loved. One of the absolute best things about this stunning property is that it is dog-friendly, so I was able to bring my two gorgeous dogs, Monkey and Ducky.

As you may have guessed by the title of the resort, it has a spa on-site. It indeed has a beautiful spa right on the island, offering a range of spa treatments at the appropriately named "The Island Spa". They offer a wide range of massages, facials, body scrubs, outdoor wood-fired hot tubs, and my favourite, the seaweed baths, among many more. Within the spa complex itself is a heated indoor pool, offering relaxation vibes all year round.

I indulged in both a seaweed bath and an outdoor wood-fired hot tub. I cannot explain how incredible your skin feels after rubbing fresh seaweed all over yourself. It is like an incredible natural moisturiser and the only thing I have ever found that soothes midge bites. The seaweed is contained in a submerged bag, giving you the option to open it and rub it all over yourself, as I did, or keep it in the bag and still get that amazing moisturising effect.

The little details are what make this spa incredible, such as the spa's name embroidered on the spa slippers, the lemon-infused water in the relaxation room, the Prosecco and strawberries offered while relaxing in the outdoor wood-fired hot tub, and even the unique music. Instead of the usual relaxing sounds of nature, this spa had a soundtrack featuring slow, acoustic, magical versions of popular songs. It was so comforting and relaxing. Of course, the staff are amazing as well.

This resort also excels in the culinary department. I am a massive foodie. I love good, tasty food, and sometimes variety is scarce for me as a vegan, but I could eat at the Lusty Beg restaurant every day for every meal for the rest of my life and be delighted.

Breakfast offered pancakes with fruit and a full Irish vegan breakfast with sausages, mushrooms, potato bread, tomato, baked beans, and even vegan bacon. It is absolutely delicious. For lunch and dinner, they offered some amazing options, including vegetable gyozas, a portobello mushroom burger (the best burger I have ever eaten), vegan spaghetti Bolognese and a decadent cheesecake. Of course, they also catered for everyone, with a fantastic range of dishes, and everyone I spoke to raved about the food. The flavours were incredible. I would go across to the island again just for dinner.

With the combination of stunning accommodation, incredible food, and an indulgent spa, it is no surprise that this is one of the top destinations to tie the knot. If there is anyone out there looking for the perfect wedding venue, this is it.

Just when you think this resort has it all, it somehow gets even better. They offer a fantastic range of on-site activities, including kayaking, bay bikes, Zodiac RIB boat rides, island hiking trails, archery, clay pigeon shooting, and bicycle hire. It is also a popular stop for people with their own boats, who can dock at the Lusty Beg Island's marina and pop in for lunch or dinner. It truly has a rustic yet chic feel and a wonderful atmosphere.

I was lucky enough to try my hand at archery. I was definitely channelling my inner Merida from Brave, so naturally I dressed the part. Dean was our instructor, and he was fantastic. By the end of the session, I was hitting the bullseye! The next day, he took Chris out for clay pigeon shooting, and they had a blast... literally.

So, if you are looking for a peaceful retreat that feels like a hidden oasis, away from the hustle and bustle of the world, a place where you can forget your troubles and where slow mornings still exist, then the Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa is the perfect escape. It allows you to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature and yourself.

The wildlife on the island is a beautiful reminder of the gift that is our natural world. There is an abundance of birds that call the island home, adding to the peaceful atmosphere and making every walk feel that little bit more magical. The world needs more retreats like the one offered here.

A huge thank you to all the wonderful staff at the Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa, especially Rebecca, for making our stay so memorable. What an absolute gem of a destination.

Click here to book your stay, plan your wedding, or simply pop over for a spa day and dinner.

I hope you have enjoyed my blog on the Lusty Beg Island Resort and Spa. Thank you so much for reading. Until next time, Vegoutt everybody!

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