Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Julie Register visited this resort spa in October, 2003

*Sheen Falls Lodge is a privately owned country house and 5 star hotel set on 300 acres of woodlands with cascading waterfalls in the beautiful southwest of Ireland. Just off the scenic Ring of Kerry, the lodge is ten minutes from the brightly coloured village of Kenmare.

The main purpose of my visit was, of course, to experience the Health Spa. However, just before going Ireland, I had spent a week of shooting clays in Maine. I was excited to have a chance to try it in Ireland. Sheen Falls Lodge has private shooting grounds on a scenic, wooded hill that offers great views of Kenmare Bay. Clay pigeon shooting demands calm concentration, a keen eye and quick reactions. The Estate Instructor provided the equipment I needed as well as some great suggestions to improve my aim. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and a surprise was waiting for us when we were done - traditional Irish coffee. That was a treat I hadn't had in Maine!

There is a chance to experience many outdoor activities on the estate - salmon fishing on a private stretch of the Sheen River, daily horse riding treks from the stables at the Lodge, hill walking and cycling. Guided off-estate tours and activities are also offered.

Back at the lodge, I checked in at the reception desk and had time to relax in The Aqua Suite by the 15-metre indoor heated swimming pool. The area also has a spacious whirlpool, steam room and sauna. If you forgot your bathing suit, the Health Spa also offers a range of swimwear and accessories along with golf-wear and a selection of beauty products for sale.

A few minutes before my appointment time, I moved to a waiting area near the treatment rooms. Shortly my therapist, Elizabeth, appeared and escorted me to a treatment room. I was about to experience a Yonka Aroma Stone Massage. Already relaxed from the Irish Coffee and snooze by the pool, this massage using water-heated basalt lava stones, frozen marble stones, traditional massage, aromatherapy and hot oil sent me straight into the "zone." An hour and a half later, I emerged in a something akin to an hypnotic state - completely stress-free and perfectly relaxed.

The Health Spa at the Lodge offers an extensive range of pampering beauty and body treatments massage (aromatherapy, Swedish, back, Indian head, reiki, Yonka aroma stone), facials (Yon Ka 'La Grande Classique' facial, Optimiser, Vital - Intense, Plaisir D'aromes, Eclat Contour, Yon Ka 'Escale Beaute'), body treatments (Yonka Phyto Marine, Yonka Detox Herbal body wrap, Secret de Beaute, Soins Velours body polish), nail care (manicure, French manicure, pedicure, Jessica Manicure or Pedicure, Skin conditioning Paraffin Manicure or Pedicure, file and varnish) and waxing. From May to September inclusive, The Health Spa offers the Spa Experience, a 2-Night stay including accommodation, breakfast and dinner on one evening and spa treatmetns (one Phyto Marine body treatment and one Le Grand Classique facial).

The Health Spa also has fitness facilities that offer a variety of cardio-vascular and resistance training equipment. They ares available to all guests on a complimentary basis.