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I‘ve been traveling around Northern Ireland and Ireland on and off for the last 3 years, so I’ve seen my fair share of accommodations. Some amazing, some eh, and some not-so-great, but that goes for anywhere you travel, huh? You win some, you lose some lol.
Staying at Lorraine’s Loft in Cookstown was nothing short of amazing, and it’s easily one of the best hot tub stays in Northern Ireland I’ve come across. You get stunning countryside views, all that green grass (it’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing), and a gorgeous deck and pergola with roll down blinds so you can enjoy the hot tub rain or shine. And let’s be real, it’s almost always raining here LOL. If you come in the summer like I did, you’ll also get to see all the flowers in the garden. It was so lovely.
Below I’m sharing all of it: where it is, what the Loft is like inside, the hot tub (obviously), the surprise my partner planned, and my favorite things to do nearby.
*This post was created in collaboration with Lorraine’s Loft. Some booking costs were covered, but all opinions are entirely my own.
Quick Links for Lorraine's Loft
Where Is Lorraine’s Loft?
Lorraine’s Loft is in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, just west of Lough Neagh. That puts it pretty much right in the middle of Northern Ireland, so it makes a great base for exploring. It’s about 45 minutes to Belfast, an hour and a half to the Giant’s Causeway, 30 minutes to the Sperrin Mountains and a couple of hours to County Donegal.
If you’re looking for accommodation in Cookstown that works just as well for a night away as it does for a base for a few day trips, this one ticks a lot of boxes.
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Arriving at Lorraine’s Loft
You drive down a small road just outside of town, and all of a sudden you come across this open stretch of green fields. Which is wild, considering I’d driven past a McDonald’s two minutes before. I even saw two donkeys in the field!
We were told to look for a small gate, which is your own private entrance to the property. You drive around through the field and park in your very own little car park. From there we walked through another little gate into the most gorgeous garden, with a patch of grass, trees, beautiful flowers, and the deck and pergola. The private hot tub was also huge! I couldn’t wait to hop in.
We took the stairs up and came out onto the balcony, and oh my gosh, the views. You can see so far out across the fields below, and you can even see Killymoon Castle in the distance. A freaking castle, how cool is that?
Inside Lorraine’s Loft
The Loft itself is a studio apartment and it’s so modern. I haven’t stayed anywhere this nice in a while. It felt almost brand new!
It has everything you could need, especially if you’re staying a few nights and using it as a base. The kitchen is fully stocked with a sink, dishwasher, stove, oven, kettle, coffee maker, and there’s even a washer/dryer. There’s also air conditioning, which I was thankful for, because we came in the summer and being from America, I tend to get hot in the evenings without air blowing on me. Turns out I didn’t need to worry, because the air in Northern Ireland leans cooler all year round anyway.
The bed was big and sooo comfortable. There’s a couch with a big TV that has all the platforms: Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video. And don’t get me started on the bathroom. The shower has one of those big rain shower heads and the pressure was top notch. It might be one of the best showers I’ve ever had.
The Private Hot Tub
Now for the best part. The first thing we did was slip into the robes hanging in the Loft, grab a couple of champagne glasses and the bottle of Prosecco, and head straight down to the hot tub.
The Wellis hot tub sits on a covered deck under the pergola with roll down blinds, so it’s perfect whether it’s sunny or pouring rain. There’s also a seating area on the deck where you can relax between dips when you get too hot. The cover has a lever system that makes it really easy to take off, so we were in within minutes. It was nice and hot, and we turned the jets on right away, connected our music to the Bluetooth speaker, and just soaked while taking in the views.
Later in the evening we watched the sunset from the tub and it was so magical. Once the sun went down, solar lights came on along the fence along with some mood lighting, and the hot tub itself has loads of different lights that change every so often. You know we brought another bottle of wine with us and finished that off in the tub too. Eventually the clouds cleared and we could see the stars twinkling in the sky.
If you’re after a private hot tub stay in Northern Ireland with views like this, you’ll love it here.
The Romance Package (and Other Packages)
Lorraine’s Loft offers packages for special occasions: Romance, Anniversary, and Birthday packages for him or her. Everything is set up before you arrive, which is what makes it so special.
My partner secretly booked the Romance Package, and when I opened the door I couldn’t believe it. There were rose petals on the bed, a huge balloon tower, confetti, roses, a gorgeous gold bottle of Prosecco with champagne glasses, and some goodies like chocolates and snacks. The hosts had even written us a lovely message on their welcome board. It was SO thoughtfully put together, and such a personal touch. I fell in love with the place right then!
🎈 Pro Tip: Planning a Surprise?
Book one of the Romance, Anniversary or Birthday packages and everything is set up before you arrive, so all your partner has to do is open the door. You can see all the packages at Lorraine's Loft here.
A Night In (and a Lazy Morning)
Once we got hungry, we ordered takeout from a local Chinese. I had salt and chili chicken and my partner had a veggie dish with rice. So yummy. Then we ended the night on the couch with a Netflix movie. All the windows have blackout blinds too, so you get a really good night’s sleep.
My partner also booked the late check-out, which goes until 1pm, so we got to soak in the hot tub again in the morning with our coffee. What a treat! If you’re planning a night away with a hot tub in Northern Ireland, I’d definitely add the late check-out.
🛁 Good to Know: Add the Late Check-Out
Lorraine's Loft offers a late check-out until 1pm, and it's so worth it. You get a slow morning with coffee in the hot tub before you head home. The Loft also has blackout blinds on every window, air conditioning, and a washer/dryer, which is handy if you're staying a few nights and exploring.
Things to Do Near Cookstown
It might feel like you’re out in the middle of the countryside, but there’s so much to do in the area. I’ve been exploring Northern Ireland for a while now, so here are my favorites.
In Cookstown itself you have Main Street, known as the longest straight high street in Northern Ireland. It’s full of coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and shops. My personal favorite is The Wee Olive, a lovely spot for coffee and breakfast. For dinner, I’d recommend the Glenavon Hotel (worth booking a reservation) or Italian at Villa Vici. For drinks, I love The Belfast House and Time, and if you want to play some darts, head to Ma Quinns. I think every first-timer gets a free shot of Fireball!
Killymoon Castle is just down the road from the Loft (remember, you can see it from the balcony). They offer tours and lunch in their tea room, but you have to book in advance. If you’re into golf, the golf course is within walking distance if you take the back pathway. And for hikes, you’ve got Tullyhogue Fort, Drum Manor, Cabin Wood, Davagh Forest, and Slieve Gallion, the mountain you can see sitting right behind Cookstown.
📅 Pro Tip: Book Ahead
If you want to do a tour of Killymoon Castle or have lunch in their tea room, you'll need to book in advance. The same goes for dinner at the Glenavon Hotel. Book it before your stay so you don't miss out!
For a full list of day trips and local spots, check out Lorraine’s Loft’s guide to things to do near Cookstown.
Who Is Lorraine’s Loft Perfect For?
Lorraine’s Loft is made for couples. Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or you just need a romantic getaway in Northern Ireland, it’s the perfect place to unwind, reconnect, and escape the stress of everyday life. If you’ve been searching for hot tub accommodation in Northern Ireland that feels special and not just like a room with a tub, this is it.
There’s nothing I love more than splurging on a well-deserved stay and soaking in a luxurious hot tub. What more could a girl want?
The Verdict: Is This the Best Hot Tub Stay in Northern Ireland?
For me, yes. Lorraine’s Loft is one of the nicest Airbnb-style places I’ve ever stayed, and it’s easily one of the best hot tub stays in Northern Ireland. Between the craftsmanship, the beautiful decor, and all the small thoughtful touches, you’ll wish you’d booked for longer!
If you're dreaming of a private hot tub, countryside views and a night away from it all, Lorraine's Loft is the one. Check availability and the latest prices on Booking.com, and don't forget to add a package if you're celebrating something special!
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xx, christine
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