Garden & pond, The Hideaway
Hygge... The Danes say it's about creating a warm, cosy and comfortable atmosphere, and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Sounds idyllic doesn't it? Well that's exactly what we experienced in rural Tyrone. Located just outside Omagh in the foothills of the Sperrin mountains, The Hideaway is a luxury rural retreat in northern Ireland with a serious sense of style. With six good friends in tow, not to mention a special birthday to celebrate, it had everything we wanted from a weekend away.
From the moment we stepped over the threshold, all plans for exploring the surrounding countryside went out the window. The furthest we got was the bottom of the garden - we had no reason to leave this gorgeous place. It felt like a proper hideaway from the world, seductive and alluring with all creature-comforts catered for. A place to unplug and disconnect from the world. A place to enjoy quality time away with friends.
Chris and Emma were terrific hosts with an innate sense of hospitality. A bottle of bubbles and a welcome note was a nice touch on arrival, setting the tone for a wonderful weekend. The lodge oozes rustic charm yet has all mod-cons, striking the perfect balance between comfort and high-tech. The attention to detail is second-to-none and there's a real sense of careful curation but not in a pretentious way. Décor has that cool, pared-back Scandi style, and the natural muted tones throughout are calming. Soft blankets and cushions are dotted everywhere, creating a real sense of comfort.
Kitchen and living area, The Hideaway
A large open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is the social hub of the home, perfect for congregating, cooking and eating together. A built-in fire adds atmosphere while scented candles mean that every room smells divine. There are board games if you are so inclined, and the little corner nook is the perfect spot to cosy up for the afternoon. With two comfy futons, it comes complete with a Nespresso machine, a cocktail maker, loads of books and a drinks fridge. All of these little touches make The Hideaway stand out from the crowd.
I have to give a shout-out to the seriously comfy beds with the softest sheets and cloud-like pillows. I slept for 8 hours straight the first night. Bath robes and slippers are provided for all guests, and there are powerful rain showers in both bathrooms. For a video walkthrough of the house and its surroundings, check out my Instagram story highlights here
Hot tub, The Hideaway
The large hot-tub is one of its biggest selling points. Huge floor-to-ceiling sliding windows offer expansive views across the lush green countryside. I loved that the boundaries are blurred between interior and exterior, and how the landscape has become part of the architecture. The sky put on a spectacular show for us on both nights and we were treated to two beautiful pink-sky sunsets.
Garden, The Hideaway
Not only that, we enjoyed some stargazing from the deck on our second night. A lack of light pollution means the skies over mid-Ulster are some of the darkest in Ireland. Wrapped up in warm throws, we had ringside seats to a fabulously clear astronomical show overhead.
It's worth noting that the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory is a twenty-minute drive from the Hideaway, one of only two on the island of Ireland.
Time ceased to have any meaning in The Hideaway. Mornings kicked off with yoga on the outside deck (mats are provided) while we spent our days alternating between the sauna, plunge pool and the hot tub.
Garden & pond, The Hideaway
We lucked out with two gloriously sunny days which meant lots of al-fresco drinks and dining. The grounds are expansive with a huge garden at the back and there are plenty of spots to sit and chill. A picnic bench overlooks a large pond while a hammock under the trees is the perfect place for a shaded afternoon nap. It's peaceful and tranquil - the only sounds are birds singing overhead.
Garden & hammock, The Hideaway
There are options to have breakfast on the patio at the back of the house, facing the morning sun and surrounded by trees and the picturesque garden, and then move to the front deck for drinks at sunset. If the temperature drops, there's a firepit to keep things cosy, and lots of blankets. A barbeque is also provided - they've thought of everything. Our hosts provided us with a considerable list of options for eating out in Omagh but we stayed in both nights, wanting to enjoy every last moment in this lovely place. If you don't feel like cooking, there are plenty of takeaway options in the area and most will deliver.
Birthday celebrations at The Hideaway
And if you run out of booze (we didn't...) there's an honesty bar in the adorable potting shed in the back garden. Drinks are very reasonably priced, and there are even bar stools provided to create that pub vibe.
Honesty bar, The Hideaway
In short, The Hideaway was a balm for the soul and an opportunity to recharge the batteries. Devices were ignored for the weekend: the only nod to technology was listening to tunes on the built-in Sonas speaker system. In a busy world, it gave us the perfect opportunity to down tools and to really connect with each other again. And to eat our body-weight in cheese. There may also have been some wine consumed...
As their website says, you'll leave "rested, relaxed and invigorated"... We can attest to that.
Beaghmore standing stones
But of course, if you're feeling energetic, (most of us weren't...) there are loads of things to do in the area, including the popular Ulster Folk Museum, the aforementioned Dark Sky Observatory and any number of lake and forest walks.
After checking-out, we took the opportunity to visit the Beaghmore Stone Circles, an incredible complex of early Bronze Age megalithic features, stone circles and cairns. The site was uncovered by peat-cutting in the 1930s and is believed to have been occupied from Neolithic times through the Bronze Age. Material found on site was dated back to 2900 BC. The site is a 20-minute drive from the Hideaway and well worth a visit.
Beaghmore standing stones
Happy travels,
Karyn xx
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