Slieve Russell offers a good spread of rooms for couples, groups and families, with many looking out over the fairways, lakes or the landscaped gardens. Options range from standard singles and doubles through to family rooms, plus 19 suites and two presidential suites for anyone making a special occasion of it.
Rooms are comfortable and well finished, with digital in-room entertainment, Wi-Fi and the sort of space you'll appreciate if you've got golf bags, wet-weather gear and a trolley to stash. If you can, it's worth requesting a golf-course-facing room. The views over the estate are a big part of the switch-off feel here. Some corner rooms also come with balconies, which are ideal for a quiet coffee before your tee time or a pre-dinner drink while you watch groups coming up 18.
If you're staying as a foursome or you're planning multiple rounds, the suites are a smart upgrade. You get extra room to spread out, relax after golf and keep everyone organised, particularly on longer stays. They're impeccably furnished, with separate living areas and upgraded amenities, making them a popular choice for anyone who wants a bit more comfort at the end of the day. The two presidential suites sit at the very top end, with the most space and some of the best views across the estate.
Practical point for groups: this is a resort that's set up for golfers, so it works well for society trips and mixed parties where some are playing every day and others are leaning into the spa and leisure facilities. The layout of the hotel means you're never far from the clubhouse, the spa or the restaurants, which makes it easy to coordinate when everyone's on different schedules.
All rooms are designed with comfort in mind, and attention to detail is clear throughout. You'll find quality furnishings, good lighting and enough desk space if you need to sort out the next day's tee times or check the forecast. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for three or four nights without feeling like you're living out of a suitcase.
Dining at Slieve Russell is a genuine strength of the resort. The signature restaurant, The Setanta, previously won Best Hotel Restaurant in County Cavan from the Irish Restaurant Awards in 2012, and it's easy to see why. The menu focuses on quality Irish produce, with dishes that balance creativity and familiarity. Service is polished without being stuffy, and the setting is elegant enough for a celebration dinner but relaxed enough for a post-golf meal.
For a more casual option, the Conall Cearnach and Summit restaurants both offer excellent cuisine with panoramic views over the golf course. It's the kind of setting where you can watch the final groups come in while enjoying a well-cooked meal and a pint. All three restaurants cater well to groups, with menus that offer enough variety to keep everyone happy over multiple nights.
The Ciúin Spa & Wellness Centre is a standout on-site spa for a golf resort, offering a full range of Elemis treatments for both men and women. Signature treatments include the Ciúin Signature Facial and Ciúin Signature Body Treatment, both designed to help guests properly unwind. Beyond the treatment rooms, the spa features a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and swimming pool, all available to hotel guests. It's the ideal way to recover after 36 holes or a long day on your feet, and a real asset for anyone travelling with non-golfers.
The resort's location in Ballyconnell, close to the Northern Ireland border, makes it highly accessible from both Dublin and Belfast airports, each around 90 minutes away by car. The setting is peaceful and secluded, yet you're not cut off from civilisation, with the town of Ballyconnell a short drive away for anyone wanting to explore the local area.
