SUSTAINABLE STAYCATIONS

GO FOR GREEN HOSPITALITY

We begin in Co. Kerry at The Europe Hotel & Spa, where it's not enough to fling open your balcony doors and feel as though you are pressed against the dramatic, rugged mountains and glassy lakes of Killarney; this five-star has sustainable credentials to boot. A member of the Green Hospitality Programme, the hotel is committed to operating on 100% green renewable electricity, boasts LED lighting in all of the rooms, as well as electric vehicle charging points, and you can even refill your reusable water bottle at their refill stations throughout the hotel. Whether you dine at their Brasserie, Panorama or Riva restaurants, the produce on your plate has been, in large part, sourced from their very own farm and with goals of reducing carbon emissions by 25% and going single-use plastic-free in 2021, a stay here is a guilt-free pleasure we can all afford to indulge in.

What's more, The Europe is a Brown Thomas Encore partner meaning you'll receive exclusive rewards when you use your Brown Thomas Visa card. Read more about that, here...

WELLNESS IN THE WILDERNESS

Beauty, wellness and the wilderness meet at the 4-star BrookLodge & Macreddin Village Co. Wicklow, where, nestled between the mountains and rivers, the Wells Spa offers a different kind of treatment. GROUND is a selection of natural aromatherapy oils and balms for face and body, made in small batches by Peigín Crowley in Co. Cork. Each product has its own bespoke wellness ritual woven through which, paired with the spa’s expert team, makes for a truly elevated, clean beauty treatment experience that your mind and body will thank you for long after you've returned to real life.

ECO IN THE CITY

The Merrion Hotel Dublin needs no introduction, but those who are dabbling with the idea of a plant-based diet will be excited to learn about their vegan menu. Inspired by recipes from her book Vegan-ish, Holly White, in collaboration with executive chef Ed Cooney and his team, offer a seasonal menu of meat-free delicacies guaranteed to tantalize even the most dubious diner. This summer's menu boasts a Mixed Summer Berry Tart with White Chocolate Sauce and Quinoa Brittle that is simply unmissable. While you’re there, keep an ear out for the subtle whirring of bees in the garden; The Merrion has been a haven for these ecosystem-saving pollinators since 2017, housing beehives on their roof in a bid to protect and nurture the endangered species.

What's more, The Merrion is a Brown Thomas Encore partner meaning you'll receive exclusive rewards when you use your Brown Thomas Visa card. Read more about that, here...

FALL FOR A FARMSTAY

For those yearning for something utterly away from it all this summer, look to Fernwood in Clifden, Co. Galway. Teetering on the edge of the Connemara Greenway, Fernwood Organic Farm is an unashamedly boutique take on a traditional farm stay. For the full experience, decamp to their Treehouse Dome, a self-contained studio elevated 5 meters above the woodland floor. Complete with wood-burning stove, rain shower, and kitchenette for self-catering solitude, this unique, eco-conscious, design-led escape offers couples the opportunity to truly retreat to nature. Keep an eye out for the donkeys, hens and farmyard activities on-site, or use this discreet stay as a base to explore the Wild Atlantic Way.

WHAT TO PACK...

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